ᐅ How can I cover Ikea BESTA furniture with wallpaper or fabric?

Created on: 9 Mar 2022 08:12

Hello everyone,

I’m considering customizing my Ikea Besta furniture by covering it with wallpaper or fabric. My goal is to create a visually appealing, durable, and clean surface without compromising the stability or functionality of the furniture.

Does anyone have experience with the best way to apply wallpaper or fabric to the smooth surfaces of the Besta units? Which attachment methods have proven effective (liquid adhesive, spray adhesive, double-sided tape, etc.)?

I’m also interested in whether it’s advisable to apply a sealant for durability, and if so, what type (varnish, clear coat, Mod Podge, or similar) is recommended.

For fabrics: What’s the best way to fix the fabric tightly and wrinkle-free? Are there specific adhesives that adhere well to the smooth coating without damaging the furniture surface?

Thanks very much for your tips and experiences!

Wulfila3610 Mar 2022 07:22

Thank you for your helpful tips so far.

I have another question regarding the proper preparation of furniture surfaces: Is it advisable to lightly roughen melamine-coated surfaces with very fine sandpaper before applying adhesive to improve bonding, or is there a significant risk of damaging the coating? Would you generally advise against this?

Also, how durable is the adhesive when used on furniture in damp environments (e.g., bathroom)? Should fabric be avoided as a covering material in such cases?

Gregory10 Mar 2022 08:55

Wulfila36 schrieb:
Is it possible to mechanically roughen melamine-coated surfaces with very fine sandpaper before application to improve adhesion, or is there a greater risk of damaging the coating?

I generally advise against mechanically roughening melamine-coated furniture. The risk of uneven damage to the surface is too high, and it can reduce the aesthetic quality.

Thorough cleaning with isopropanol or denatured alcohol, as well as degreasing, is usually sufficient to improve adhesive bonding.

Wulfila36 schrieb:
What about the durability of the adhesive when using the furniture in humid rooms (e.g., bathroom)? Should fabric as a covering material be avoided in this case?

For humid rooms, wallpaper or film is clearly the better choice. Fabric tends to absorb moisture, which can cause it to loosen or develop mold. If fabric must be used, only special impregnated material with a waterproof spray adhesive and preferably sealed afterwards should be considered.

SETHBLA11 Mar 2022 11:41

I covered my Besta with thin cotton fabrics. It is important to use only spray adhesive intended for furniture, nothing too strong. Pull the fabric tight when applying and, after about 24 hours of drying, reinforce the edges and corners with fabric glue.

I did not apply any sealing but it still withstood normal everyday wear. However, you should really avoid exposing the fabric to moisture.

ᐅ How can I cover Ikea BESTA furniture with wallpaper or fabric?

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