ᐅ How can I design the Ikea BESTA unit as a functional and visually appealing room divider?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to use the Ikea Besta system to divide my living room, as I have an open floor plan. I want the divider to separate the space functionally but also to look visually appealing. The challenge is that the room divider should provide storage while not appearing too bulky, so the area doesn’t feel too dark or cramped.

I’m interested in how you would best use the Besta system to meet these requirements. What configurations, finishes, and room elements have you tried? How do you prevent the room divider from visually overwhelming the space?

Are there practical tips, for example regarding the combination of open and closed compartments, the use of lighting, or special assembly methods?

I look forward to your experiences and suggestions so I can realize the project in the best possible way.

Sausamuel schrieb:
The challenge is that the room divider should provide storage space but not feel too bulky, so the area doesn’t appear dark or cramped.

That’s exactly the point to critically consider with the BESTA-Amts system. While it offers flexibility, it can quickly feel overwhelming if you only use closed cabinets.

I would recommend creating a clear distinction between open and closed sections and also experimenting with different materials. Glass fronts or even open shelving greatly reduce the visual weight.

Sausamuel schrieb:
How can you prevent the room divider from visually overwhelming the space?

The best way is through brightness and minimalism. If you choose only light-colored fronts in white or light wood and avoid placing too many elements in a row, you can keep the room feeling more open.

Additionally, lighting is often an underestimated factor. LED strips inside compartments or along the top edge can add depth.

For example, a two-tier room divider alternating open shelves, closed boxes, and glass fronts looks airy yet provides storage.

Also consider adding a cut-out in the room divider for plants or decorations. This helps to break up the structure.

I would add that the functionality of BESTA as a room divider greatly depends on its intended use. Should the storage be primarily for books, multimedia, or everyday items?

Depending on the purpose, you should plan the interior fittings with suitable inserts such as drawers, boxes, or doors.

For a visually light appearance, glass or acrylic fronts work well; alternatively, you can use shelves with varying depths – deeper units at the bottom, shallower ones at the top.

Also consider the back of the room divider if it is visible: a well-designed back panel can highlight the room divider as a design feature. Many remove the back panel entirely or replace it with a colored panel or fabric covering.

It may be worth installing lighting. LED strips at the top or inside the shelves create a pleasant atmosphere and emphasize the room divider.

I’m happy to elaborate a bit based on my experience so far:

Ikea BESTA is very suitable as a room divider because it is modular and can be assembled in various sizes. Ideally, you should consider the following points to create a functional and visually appealing solution:

- Use a mix of open compartments and closed units (e.g., doors or flaps) to combine transparency and storage.
- Choose light, neutral colors, as darker tones can quickly make the structure feel heavy.
- Depending on the available floor space, consider varying the heights—for example, building some sections taller than others. This breaks up the lines and makes the space feel more open.
- The back panel can be omitted or replaced with a decorative panel, which makes the room divider feel airier or can serve as a focal point.
- Plug-and-play lighting kits from Ikea can be integrated into the shelves. This adds coziness and highlights the room divider.

I also found it helpful to use plants and decorative boxes to give the room divider a personal touch.

Since you want to approach the project carefully, I would recommend drawing a floor plan with measurements before purchasing and visualizing different BESTA combinations on paper—this often helps to better estimate the proportions.

Sausamuel schrieb:
The challenge is that the room divider should provide storage while not appearing too bulky

The ideal solution using Ikea BESTA as a room divider is a combination of:
- Modular, light-colored fronts (e.g. matte or high-gloss white)
- Open shelving units to create visual openness
- Glass fronts for a visually light partition
- Custom-fit assembly (including 2 or 3 height levels)

Additionally, flexible LED strips or light bars can be used for lighting. These should be warm white to create a comfortable atmosphere.

The back sides of the BESTA units behind the room divider should also be finished, either with a back panel covered with wallpaper or a colored painted board, to avoid showing the backs of the modules.

It is important that the room divider does not replace a full wall but acts as a semi-transparent zoning element. Additional functional features like drawers, baskets, or doors increase usability.