ᐅ How do I build an Ikea Besta as a kitchen island with plenty of storage?
Created on: 20 Dec 2015 16:03
M
mapau45Hello everyone,
I am planning to use Ikea Besta cabinets as the base for a kitchen island and want to create plenty of storage space. Specifically, I am interested in how to connect the individual Besta units to create a stable, freestanding island that is comparable to a regular kitchen island in terms of storage capacity and durability.
The space will be about 2.40 meters long (7 feet 10 inches), and I want to arrange the furniture so that upper cabinets are not an option—so everything will be within the cabinets themselves. Are there any good tips for customizing the interior fittings and for properly securing the countertop? What should I pay special attention to when linking the Besta units together to ensure the kitchen island remains stable over the years?
I look forward to your experiences and suggestions!
I am planning to use Ikea Besta cabinets as the base for a kitchen island and want to create plenty of storage space. Specifically, I am interested in how to connect the individual Besta units to create a stable, freestanding island that is comparable to a regular kitchen island in terms of storage capacity and durability.
The space will be about 2.40 meters long (7 feet 10 inches), and I want to arrange the furniture so that upper cabinets are not an option—so everything will be within the cabinets themselves. Are there any good tips for customizing the interior fittings and for properly securing the countertop? What should I pay special attention to when linking the Besta units together to ensure the kitchen island remains stable over the years?
I look forward to your experiences and suggestions!
This is a very exciting project! I have Besta cabinets as storage in my kitchen myself, but I have not built a freestanding island.
What I find important is the connection between the individual cabinet units. I would recommend reinforcing the joints with angle brackets or laminated wood strips to increase stability. The countertop should ideally be securely screwed from underneath to the base with strong screws to prevent any wobbling.
If you have concerns about the load from heavy kitchen appliances like a blender or food processor, I would also consider a supporting frame made of metal or timber. That way, it’s simply safer.
I can understand that this is quite a challenge – feel free to keep us updated on your progress!
What I find important is the connection between the individual cabinet units. I would recommend reinforcing the joints with angle brackets or laminated wood strips to increase stability. The countertop should ideally be securely screwed from underneath to the base with strong screws to prevent any wobbling.
If you have concerns about the load from heavy kitchen appliances like a blender or food processor, I would also consider a supporting frame made of metal or timber. That way, it’s simply safer.
I can understand that this is quite a challenge – feel free to keep us updated on your progress!
Hello @mapau45,
Your plan sounds great, and I understand that you want plenty of storage without upper cabinets. To make the island truly practical for everyday use, you should consider the following:
- Use as sturdy shelves as possible in the Besta units, for example, the 12 mm (0.5 inch) thick shelves.
- To connect the units into one piece, besides the IKEA cam locks, custom-made cross braces made of wood are especially suitable. You can install these from the inside or underneath.
- For the countertop, it’s best to choose a thicker board specifically designed for kitchens, and secure it with well-planned angle brackets or, even better, with so-called tabletop brackets.
- Don’t be surprised by some extra work during adjustment: The IKEA units are actually designed for wall cabinets, and with a freestanding island, you might also need to remove or modify the back panels.
What surface material are you planning for the countertop? Wood, stone, or a more affordable option? This also affects the weight and the type of mounting required.
Your plan sounds great, and I understand that you want plenty of storage without upper cabinets. To make the island truly practical for everyday use, you should consider the following:
- Use as sturdy shelves as possible in the Besta units, for example, the 12 mm (0.5 inch) thick shelves.
- To connect the units into one piece, besides the IKEA cam locks, custom-made cross braces made of wood are especially suitable. You can install these from the inside or underneath.
- For the countertop, it’s best to choose a thicker board specifically designed for kitchens, and secure it with well-planned angle brackets or, even better, with so-called tabletop brackets.
- Don’t be surprised by some extra work during adjustment: The IKEA units are actually designed for wall cabinets, and with a freestanding island, you might also need to remove or modify the back panels.
What surface material are you planning for the countertop? Wood, stone, or a more affordable option? This also affects the weight and the type of mounting required.
Hey, great idea with the Besta kitchen island! 😄
I once built a small bar with Besta myself – the system is really sturdy if you connect the parts properly. The carcasses are great for a kitchen island, especially if you need a lot of storage space.
Tip: Use the wider shelves, as they support more weight and feel more stable. Also, definitely get a solid countertop; otherwise, the whole thing feels a bit wobbly. I used an oak countertop and screwed it firmly from underneath with brackets – it holds really well.
That sounds really sensible; I also used brackets. Besides that, to enhance stability, you can pull the carcasses together from the inside with clamps while gluing them.
Good luck, it’s going to be awesome!
I once built a small bar with Besta myself – the system is really sturdy if you connect the parts properly. The carcasses are great for a kitchen island, especially if you need a lot of storage space.
Tip: Use the wider shelves, as they support more weight and feel more stable. Also, definitely get a solid countertop; otherwise, the whole thing feels a bit wobbly. I used an oak countertop and screwed it firmly from underneath with brackets – it holds really well.
Henry schrieb:
I think the connection between the individual carcasses is really important. I would recommend reinforcing the joints with brackets or solid wood strips to increase stability.
That sounds really sensible; I also used brackets. Besides that, to enhance stability, you can pull the carcasses together from the inside with clamps while gluing them.
Good luck, it’s going to be awesome!
I believe the entire structure should also be evaluated with regard to dynamic loads. It’s not enough to simply connect the carcasses – you need to ensure they are protected against lateral twisting as well.
The IKEA cam lock fittings are good, but they are less suitable for free-standing furniture without wall support. From my perspective, a sturdy connection with cross beams and the addition of extra reinforcements (e.g., metal brackets inside) are essential.
Additionally, you should choose the feet for the island in a way that compensates for any uneven flooring to avoid stress on the connections.
This is an important question, as a heavy stone countertop places different demands on the structural stability of the Besta carcasses.
The IKEA cam lock fittings are good, but they are less suitable for free-standing furniture without wall support. From my perspective, a sturdy connection with cross beams and the addition of extra reinforcements (e.g., metal brackets inside) are essential.
Additionally, you should choose the feet for the island in a way that compensates for any uneven flooring to avoid stress on the connections.
Josan schrieb:
What surface material are you planning for the countertop? Wood, stone, or a more affordable option?
This is an important question, as a heavy stone countertop places different demands on the structural stability of the Besta carcasses.
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