ᐅ How can I modify Ikea BESTA furniture to make the best use of limited space in a small living area?

Hello everyone,

I have a somewhat specific question: How can I modify Ikea Besta furniture to make optimal use of a tight living space?

The situation: My living area is quite small, about 15 square meters (160 square feet) including the kitchen and dining area. I really like the BESTA series because of its modularity and many options, but the standard configurations are often too large or not flexible enough for my space constraints.

So, I’m mainly interested in how to adapt or repurpose the furniture to create more storage without overcrowding the room. What methods or modifications have you made that actually work? Are there clever tricks for cutting, altering, or creating new connections so the furniture can be used, for example, as a room divider or multifunctional unit?

I would also appreciate tips on materials, tools, and safe procedures for making these modifications. Thanks in advance!

Fralis schrieb:
How can I modify Ikea BESTA furniture to make the most of a tight living space?

That’s a valid question, as not every room allows for standard solutions. Generally, I would say you should first take accurate measurements and use a space planning tool to maximize the area without compromising overall efficiency.

However, I’m skeptical about how much the BESTA components can be altered, since they are designed with specific connectors and dimensions in mind. Cutting side panels or braces may reduce stability.

My recommendation is to selectively replace certain parts, such as swapping doors for sliding doors or open shelves, and perhaps using shorter feet or plinths to gain height where needed.

Have you already checked which parts you want to shorten and how that will affect the fixings? Such modifications usually require precise tools and experience; otherwise, the functionality might suffer in the end.

lise56 schrieb:
I am skeptical, however, about how much the BESTA components can be modified, since they are designed for specific connectors and measurements.

That’s true, which is why I would generally proceed as follows when altering the BESTA furniture:

- First, take precise measurements of your room and the existing furniture parts.
- Then decide which functions of the furniture should be retained (storage space, surface finish, visibility).
- If you shorten the side panels, make sure the dowel and screw holes are preserved or at least accurately redrilled.
- For stability, I recommend using metal angle brackets in the corners, especially if you assemble elements in configurations other than those originally intended.
- Another useful approach can be removing the back panels and using the furniture as a room divider instead – here you could attach sturdy battens and perhaps add a glass or plexiglass panel.
- For the doors, sliding doors or fold-down inserts can be installed to save space.

Be sure to use a cordless drill with a depth stop to avoid damage, and use fine sandpaper on cut edges to prevent splintering.

If you like, I can send you a step-by-step guide later if you have detailed questions.

Besta is well suited for wall mounting, which saves floor space.

Sliding doors are ideal for small rooms.

Place shelves on legs to make vacuuming underneath easier.

Hello Fralis,

I can fully understand how challenging it is to optimize small spaces. From my experience with the BESTA series:

- If you want to use a unit as a room divider, you can leave the back open and attach hooks or baskets there to make use of the storage space on the backside as well.
- Only shorten side panels if you are certain how the furniture will be stabilized afterward. I often used metal brackets and glue for additional reinforcement.
- Use the surfaces of the furniture, such as the top panel, for storage or even as extra seating with appropriate cushions.
- For maximum flexibility, it is advisable to separate modules, for example, using two smaller cabinets instead of one large one, so they can be rearranged as needed.

One important point to keep in mind: the modular drill holes must still align perfectly after any modifications. Take your time to plan several options before cutting.

mopra42 schrieb:
Besta is well suited for wall mounting. That way, you save floor space.

That's true, but be careful: the wall must be able to support the load.

renpeo schrieb:
Only shorten side panels if you are sure how the furniture will be stabilized afterwards.

Exactly, stability is crucial. I would also add that it can be very helpful to carefully mark and document the fittings and brackets before making any modifications. Otherwise, it’s easy to lose track of how everything fits together.

Furthermore, I recommend paying attention to finishing materials during modifications. For example, I used edge banding that can be applied with an iron to cleanly finish cut edges.