ᐅ How can I modify Ikea BESTA to use it as a room divider?

Hello everyone, I am considering modifying my Ikea BESTÅ shelving unit to use it as a room divider in my living room. Specifically, I want to divide the space into two areas without building a fixed wall, to maintain more flexibility. I imagine the BESTÅ cabinet not only visually separating the space but also providing storage and looking attractive from both sides.

Does anyone have experience with this kind of modification? Are there any special tips on how to make the unit safe and stable when it stands freely in the room? How do you usually handle the back side (which is often just a backing panel)? And how can doors or shelf dividers be modified to make the room divider more effective? Thanks for any advice, and feel free to share guides or examples!

jari41 schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with these kinds of modifications? Are there any special tips for making the cabinet secure and stable when it stands free in the room?

This is a very important question because the BESTÅ series is originally designed mainly for placement against a wall rather than as a free-standing room divider. To ensure stability, I recommend the following steps:

- Use additional sturdy back panels on both sides, ideally MDF at least 10 mm (0.4 inches) thick, rather than just a thin particleboard.
- Reinforce the connections between individual units with brackets or metal plates on the inside, especially if you combine several modules.
- Secure the units at the bottom with an additional base board or plinth that acts as a foundation.
- To minimize the risk of tipping, consider anchoring the cabinet to the floor with hidden screws or heavy-duty adhesives, depending on the type of flooring.

jari41 schrieb:
How do you usually handle the back (usually just a backing panel)?

You can fully cover the back, preferably in a matching color or even with decorative panels, to also enhance the appearance from behind. Alternatively, self-adhesive film or wallpaper can be applied to improve the look of the room divider on both sides.

jari41 schrieb:
And how can doors or shelf dividers be modified to make the room divider more efficient?

If storage is desired on both sides, I recommend combining sliding doors with open shelving. You can also replace the doors with decorative fabric panels or plexiglass sheets to achieve a more modern appearance.

If you like, I can provide a detailed step-by-step guide on how to technically carry out the modification.

TEBILO schrieb:
I recommend combining sliding doors or open shelving if storage is needed on both sides.

This is a very good approach. Here is a somewhat structured method for converting the BESTÅ into a room divider:

- Planning: Measure the exact width and height of the area to be divided. Decide whether the room divider should be usable from one side or both sides.
- Construction: Use modular frames and arrange the units so that both the front and back sides can be designed attractively.
- Back panels: Replace the standard back panel with sturdy, double-sided decorative panels. MDF is ideal.
- Doors: For both sides, either sliding doors (as TEBILO mentioned) or open shelves are suitable, depending on the purpose.
- Stabilization: Connect the modules to each other with metal brackets and add feet or a baseboard.
- Appearance: Colored or printed panels as cladding add an extra design element.

Common mistakes I often see:
- Only a simple back panel that doesn’t look good from the front
- Missing stabilization, causing the room divider to be unstable
- Incorrect dimensions that make the space feel cramped

If you prefer plastic fronts, you can also integrate light strips or LED elements to make the room divider more attractive.

Summary: The most important points are “double-sided appearance,” “stability,” and “functional layout.”

A cool idea to use an IKEA BESTÅ not just mounted on the wall! 🙂

I did exactly that some time ago—as a room divider between the sofa and dining area in the living room. What worked well for me were open compartments on the living room side, which I decorated with a few plants and some great books. On the dining area side, I installed doors instead to create more storage space that isn’t always visible.

A small tip: I completely removed the back panel and covered the rear with a nice fabric frame that is tightly stretched. It looks stylish, still allows air to pass through—which is ideal for acoustics—and makes the whole unit lighter.

TEBILO schrieb:
To ensure stability, I recommend the following steps:

I can only agree with that; stability is extremely important, otherwise the unit could easily tip over. I also connected the modules on the sides with metal brackets, which holds very well.

Good luck with your project—it’s a great change for the room that really makes an impact!

jari41 schrieb:
Specifically, I want to divide the room into two areas without installing a fixed wall, to maintain more flexibility.

I can understand your interest in a flexible solution. It’s not always easy to keep spaces open while visually separating different areas.

If you’re uncertain about stability or appearance, I would suggest making the room divider mobile at first—adding casters or wheels at the bottom. This way, you can test how you like the layout and still have the option to reconfigure it later.

I personally had long lamps and cables running through my divider, so I made small cutouts in the panels using a jigsaw. This is quite doable and hardly noticeable when done neatly.

I know remodeling always involves some effort, and that can be a bit daunting. But if you put in the work, the final result will be all the more rewarding!

And if you get stuck anywhere, just ask here again—we’re happy to help.