ᐅ Are there any practical tips for better organizing the drawers in IKEA BESTA units?

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for practical tips on how to better organize the drawers in my IKEA Besta system. Specifically, I want to find ways to divide the usually quite shallow drawers to make the best use of the available space without everything getting messy.

Are there any proven systems, organizers, or clever DIY ideas that have worked well for you?

For example, I’ve been considering if there are special inserts, such as shelves or dividers, that fit inside the drawers and remain flexible.

Looking forward to your experiences!

I use simple plastic dividers in my BESTA drawers that can be cut to size individually. This allows me to quickly create different compartments, keeping everything organized.

Hello noki32,

I can recommend a structured approach that has worked well for my BESTA drawers:

1. First, completely empty the contents and sort them meaningfully (type of items, frequency of use).
2. Determine the need for dividers – flexible plastic or wooden dividers often work well.
3. Take measurements: even the best organization is useless if it doesn’t fit.
4. For shallow drawers, flat organizers made of acrylic or thin wood, which can be attached with a slot system or adhesive, are helpful.

A classic solution is modular drawer inserts made of fabric or plastic that prevent small items from shifting when the drawer is opened.

A small tip: avoid too many loose items without separators, otherwise even the best organization won’t help.

If needed, I can gladly provide sources or examples.

Wow, great question! I love organizing drawers – it’s really fun and saves so much time when searching.

I would recommend using flexible inserts that you can adjust according to your needs. There are also great DIY options using sandwich boxes or homemade dividers made from sturdy cardboard!

Don’t give up; once you’ve organized for the first time, it becomes addictive, and your BESTA will become an even more favorite element in your home! 😊

Jonas66 schrieb:
I use simple plastic dividers in my BESTA drawers that can be cut to size as needed.

But honestly – isn’t this all a bit over the top?

You could simply buy less and avoid the clutter from the start. Often, 'organization' is just a symptom of having too much stuff ending up in the drawers.

Why not just declutter and keep only what is really necessary? The fact that the BESTA drawers get stuffed and then require complex organization is actually the core of the problem.

rebufar schrieb:
You could also simply buy less and avoid the chaos from the start.

Thanks for the thought-provoking comment. I’m not a fan of excessive collecting either; I try to choose consciously.

Still, I end up accumulating small items that need to be organized efficiently. Drawer space is limited, and I want to avoid just storing everything in containers without any system.

Mainly, I’m looking for a flexible and clear solution for items like cables, office supplies, and small tools that I use frequently.

Do you have any tips for modular systems that can be customized individually?