ᐅ Are there IKEA PLATSA furniture units with integrated handle strips?

I installed some PLATSA shelves at home with handle strips—but not IKEA strips, rather aluminum profiles I bought myself from the hardware store. It works well, looks neat, and isn’t expensive. If you enjoy some DIY, this can also help you create a more unique style.

Of course, it’s not from IKEA, and you need to measure everything carefully, but if you like handle strips, PLATSA is a good basic framework for ideas like this.

Maybe this will inspire someone who’s considering doing it themselves.

No, IKEA does not offer PLATSA furniture with handle strips. For handle strips, you need to choose other series or install them yourself. That's it.

As mentioned here before: PLATSA comes without handles. The fronts are designed without them and IKEA does not provide any suitable profiles for this.

PIN66 schrieb:
By the way: What type of handle strips are you considering? Aluminum, plastic, or wood? Each option has different advantages regarding durability, appearance, and installation effort.

Thank you for the detailed response. I was mainly thinking about aluminum handle strips because I find them visually appealing, and they would fit better in my apartment. Wood would be a secondary option, plastic less so, as I often find those to look too cheap. Your tips regarding installation and front panel thickness are very helpful for making a decision. Has anyone tried aluminum handle strips with PLATSA before? Are there any particular features or frequent issues to be aware of?

Darragh schrieb:
Has anyone tried using aluminum handle strips with PLATSA? Are there any special considerations or common issues?

There are a few points to keep in mind when working with aluminum strips:

- Precise drilling is essential, as aluminum profiles require fairly rigid mounting.
- With PLATSA fronts, there is a risk of the material breaking out at the drilling points, so pilot holes should be drilled.
- When using screws, make sure that they are not too long and do not penetrate through the front panel.

If you follow these guidelines, it usually works without issues. Some users also apply construction adhesive or double-sided mounting tape to secure the strips further and reduce vibrations.

In my opinion, these are not insurmountable challenges, but careful preparation is necessary to ensure the appearance and functionality are maintained over time.

Darragh schrieb:
Has anyone tried using aluminum handle strips with PLATSA before? Are there any special considerations or common issues?

It’s interesting that you specifically want aluminum. The thing is, since PLATSA furniture isn’t designed for this kind of profiling, you should consider whether you might end up damaging the appearance or impairing the function of the furniture—at least without professional modifications.

So far, I’ve only seen examples where the strips were either simply glued on or, which I find more problematic, screws were drilled into the fronts that aren’t actually designed for this purpose. So yes, there are often issues.

Whether it’s worth the risk is a personal decision. That’s why I recommend sticking to series or manufacturers that are designed for handle strips.