Hello everyone, I’m considering how to use the IKEA Besta system effectively as a shoe cabinet.
The BESTA is originally a storage system designed for TV furniture, shelving, or cupboards with various doors, compartments, and inserts. My apartment is small, so I’m looking for a solution that is slim yet spacious enough to store shoes comfortably while saving space.
I’m wondering how to best organize the compartments—should I use shelves to keep individual pairs of shoes visible, or would drawers or doors be better to keep dust out? What measures or additions would you recommend to ensure the shoes are stored neatly and that the cabinet remains sturdy and stable with regular use?
Do you have any experience using the BESTA as a shoe cabinet, including modifications or additions? What is your best idea for turning this piece of furniture, originally designed for the living room, into a practical shoe storage solution?
The BESTA is originally a storage system designed for TV furniture, shelving, or cupboards with various doors, compartments, and inserts. My apartment is small, so I’m looking for a solution that is slim yet spacious enough to store shoes comfortably while saving space.
I’m wondering how to best organize the compartments—should I use shelves to keep individual pairs of shoes visible, or would drawers or doors be better to keep dust out? What measures or additions would you recommend to ensure the shoes are stored neatly and that the cabinet remains sturdy and stable with regular use?
Do you have any experience using the BESTA as a shoe cabinet, including modifications or additions? What is your best idea for turning this piece of furniture, originally designed for the living room, into a practical shoe storage solution?
lisli schrieb:
I’m wondering how best to divide the compartments – should I go with shelves to have individual pairs of shoes visible, or would drawers or doors be better to keep the dust out?Hey, great question! I’d say doors are excellent for keeping dust out, and they also let you quickly close it if you have unexpected guests 😅. Shelves have the advantage of letting you see all your shoes at a glance – like a cool little shoe store.
It’s also practical to customize the interior: for example, you can get extra adjustable shelves or so-called shoe racks made of wood or metal that fit inside the compartments. That way, you can store multiple pairs stacked without it turning into a mess!
One tip: add feet or small casters underneath so you can easily slide the unit when you need to clean – that makes it much more flexible.
Good luck with building your shoe rack! 👟😄
lisli schrieb:
The BESTA is originally a storage system for TV furniture, shelves, or cabinets with various cabinet doors, compartments, and inserts.Basically, the IKEA BESTA can be used well as a shoe cabinet if you keep the following points in mind:
- Use shelves to adjust the height of the compartments for different types of shoes.
- Doors help keep dust out and provide a tidy appearance.
- For frequently used shoes, pull-out drawers or baskets are very practical.
- Make sure the cabinet is stable; if necessary, secure additional brackets to the wall.
The STEINSERIE wooden insert works well as a shoe rack because it allows for a slanted surface and ensures ventilation.
The dimensions of BESTA (usually 40cm deep (15.7 inches)) are generally sufficient for shoes. The most important factor is individual adjustment to your existing shoe collection.
If you plan to store heavy shoes (boots, hiking shoes), make sure to use sturdy bottom panels.
My conclusion: With careful planning like this, BESTA can be excellently repurposed.
Here is a brief guide on how I used BESTA as a shoe storage dresser, with several tips that might help you as well:
1. Planning: First, measure your shoes and decide how many pairs you want to store so you can adjust the shelf heights accordingly.
2. Installing shelves: Use adjustable shelves to differentiate between lower and higher compartments. This way, you can store sneakers and flats at the bottom and taller shoes like boots on higher shelves.
3. Installing doors or flaps: Doors protect against dust, while flaps (hinged doors with top hinges) are convenient for frequently used shoes.
4. Ventilation: Especially with closed doors, a few drilled holes or a small perforated pattern in the back panel allow air circulation, which is important to prevent unpleasant odors.
5. Custom inserts: Use removable shoe baskets or boxes for smaller shoes to keep things organized more easily.
6. Stability: Be sure to fasten the dresser to the wall to avoid tipping hazards—especially if you open multiple drawers or doors at once.
7. Appearance: Paint or cover the outer surfaces if you want to match the look to your living space.
Common mistakes I have noticed:
- Choosing shelf heights that are too small, so the shaft of the shoes doesn’t fit
- No ventilation, which causes a musty smell
Most importantly: take your time planning and measure precisely—this will save you from having to make changes later. Good luck with your project!
1. Planning: First, measure your shoes and decide how many pairs you want to store so you can adjust the shelf heights accordingly.
2. Installing shelves: Use adjustable shelves to differentiate between lower and higher compartments. This way, you can store sneakers and flats at the bottom and taller shoes like boots on higher shelves.
3. Installing doors or flaps: Doors protect against dust, while flaps (hinged doors with top hinges) are convenient for frequently used shoes.
4. Ventilation: Especially with closed doors, a few drilled holes or a small perforated pattern in the back panel allow air circulation, which is important to prevent unpleasant odors.
5. Custom inserts: Use removable shoe baskets or boxes for smaller shoes to keep things organized more easily.
6. Stability: Be sure to fasten the dresser to the wall to avoid tipping hazards—especially if you open multiple drawers or doors at once.
7. Appearance: Paint or cover the outer surfaces if you want to match the look to your living space.
Common mistakes I have noticed:
- Choosing shelf heights that are too small, so the shaft of the shoes doesn’t fit
- No ventilation, which causes a musty smell
Most importantly: take your time planning and measure precisely—this will save you from having to make changes later. Good luck with your project!
mesila schrieb:
1. Planning: First, measure your shoes and decide how many pairs you want to store so you can adjust the shelf height accordingly.Exactly. Without planning, it becomes tight and impractical.
mesila schrieb:
4. Ventilation: Especially with closed doors, a few drill holes or a small perforated pattern in the back panel ensure air circulation.That’s a good tip; it’s often overlooked.
Also, the standard BESTA units don’t fit a huge shoe collection. In that case, it’s better to stack shoes or add another storage system.
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