ᐅ How can I convert Ikea BESTA into a wine rack, and what should I keep in mind?

Hello everyone, I’m considering converting my IKEA Besta shelving unit into a wine rack and would like to know the best way to do this. Specifically, I’m interested in whether it makes sense to remove some of the shelves or perhaps replace them with specialized wine rack inserts. Are there particular dimensions or load capacities to consider to ensure the bottles are securely stored and the shelving remains stable? Additionally, I’d appreciate any tips on protecting the bottles from vibrations or maintaining optimal storage temperatures within such a shelving system. Looking forward to your experiences and advice!

Marel38 schrieb:
Hello everyone, I’m thinking about converting my IKEA BESTA shelf into a wine rack and would like to know the best way to do that.

That’s a great idea, but at first, I was a bit worried that the shelf might not be sturdy enough for bottles. Back then, I added individual wooden slats into a BESTA to hold the bottles securely. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find the perfect insert right away – with some patience, it will work out. Also, keep in mind the position of the doors and whether the room has enough ventilation. Wine shouldn’t be trapped without airflow, or its quality will suffer.

Marel38 schrieb:
whether it makes sense to remove individual shelves or perhaps replace them with more specialized wine rack inserts.

Hey Marel38, if you remove the shelves, you can create nice wine racks with angled shelves or horizontal bottle holders – it really adds atmosphere! I installed small wooden strips as supports to prevent the bottles from rolling. Important: the shelf height and depth should provide enough space for wine bottles (around 30 cm (12 inches) of height per compartment works well in my experience). And remember, with a DIY project like this, make sure the structure is securely anchored, or the wine might end up crooked 😉.

I would like to add that the load-bearing capacity of IKEA BESTA shelves is usually sufficient as long as you do not exceed the load limits of the shelves. Bottles generally weigh around 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs), so you should keep an eye on the number of bottles per shelf section. For secure support, I recommend using wooden slats or recessed dividers to prevent bottles from rolling or falling out. It is also important to remove the back panel or replace it with a breathable alternative to allow moisture to escape and prevent mold growth. Overall, some modifications are necessary to make the BESTA shelf function reliably as a wine rack in the long term.

I am cautious about this conversion if certain factors are not considered. Simply removing shelves and installing wine rack inserts is not the ultimate solution. The structural design and the climate within the installation space are crucial. Are there reliable specifications from Ikea regarding the maximum load capacity of the shelves under continuous load from bottles? Additionally, are the bottles actually stored lying down to prevent the cork from drying out? The risk of mold in a closed system without sufficient air circulation is rarely addressed. Therefore, remodeling should not only focus on aesthetics but also thoroughly examine structural and climatic aspects.

ODINFLO schrieb:
I am skeptical about the renovation if certain factors are not considered.

One simple way to improve air circulation, for example, is to replace some of the back panels of the BESTA shelving unit with perforated or more open versions.

Additionally, it should be kept in mind that wine is best stored at a consistent temperature (ideally around 12-16°C (54-61°F)), which is not always possible with furniture in living spaces.

Regarding bottle storage: bottles should preferably be stored horizontally to keep the cork moist and prevent it from drying out. So, if you remove the shelves in the BESTA unit, you can use crosswise-installed wooden slats or special wine rack modules to securely and stably hold the bottles. Good-quality materials and precise workmanship are crucial to ensure nothing wobbles or gets damaged.