ᐅ How can I use IKEA BESTA units as a room divider in an elegant and practical way?

Hello everyone, I am planning to make my living room a bit more open while also adding some structure. I am considering using the IKEA Besta system as a room divider because it is both flexible and visually appealing. My main questions are: How can the Besta shelving system be integrated as a room divider in the most elegant way, without it feeling bulky? How can I incorporate practical solutions such as storage, shelving surfaces, or privacy screens at the same time? Are there any recommended combinations or useful additions to make the setup particularly functional? I look forward to your experiences and tips!

Hello saunichola,

First of all, your idea to use the IKEA BESTA as a room divider is very practical. I recommend choosing the divider’s height so that light can still pass through – around 150 to 180 cm (59 to 71 inches). This way, the separation feels lighter and visually opens up the space.

Here is a structured suggestion:
- Choose units with open compartments on one side and closed doors or drawers on the other. This way, you have both privacy and storage.
- Use shelves with glass fronts or shelf dividers to make the furniture appear more airy.
- Consider placing decorative items or plants in the open compartments to break up the room divider.
- When installing, ensure the shelving is stable – secure it to the ceiling or floor if necessary, especially with freestanding constructions.

Common mistakes I notice are dividers that are too tall and therefore oppressive, shelves not being secured, and too much weight placed on the shelves.

If you like, I can also suggest a plan with suitable BESTA combinations for you.

Hello saunichola,

I follow your thoughts and think it’s great that you value both elegance and practicality. Maybe it helps to keep a few basic principles in mind:

- Material and color: Choose light colors to avoid making the space feel heavy. White or light wood finishes work well.
- Back surface: If the room divider is visible from both sides, make sure to design both sides attractively. You could consider using backing panels or films.
- Functionality: Besides storage, you can also plan open compartments for books, accessories, or plants.

A clever idea is to use the top shelves as a place for small lamps or decorative items – this adds coziness.

Have you already thought about whether the room divider should be movable or fixed? That also affects the design.

PAR63 schrieb:
I recommend choosing the height of the room divider so that light can still pass through – about 150 to 180 cm (59 to 71 inches) high.

This is a sensible point, as a partition that is too tall can significantly reduce the distribution of light.

Further important considerations:
- The stability of the BESTA system can be improved by using sturdy base and back panels as well as possible anchoring.
- If you want privacy screening, versions with doors or panels are recommended, as open compartments do not provide line-of-sight separation.
- A combination of open and closed compartments is advisable to optimize both function and design.

It has also proven practical to make the system usable from both sides – that is, accessible or usable on both sides.

One tip: Take the maximum load capacity of the shelves into account to avoid sagging.

Hello everyone,

I would like to go into more detail about the technical and design aspects that are really important when using the IKEA BESTA system as a room divider.

First, regarding the construction:
- The BESTA frame is based on a modular unit of 60x40 or 60x60 cm (24x16 or 24x24 inches). For a room divider, a multi-level combination is recommended, for example, two rows of three or four modules each.
- The maximum height, as previously mentioned, should not exceed 180 cm (70.9 inches) to keep the space open.
- It is important to reinforce the modules: the best way is to use the back panels. People tend to remove these to make the system look more airy, but this reduces stability.

Second, regarding functionality:
- If access from both sides is desired, a double-sided open system should be planned. This makes installation a bit more demanding, as back panels can only be partially used.
- If you want to include cable cutouts (for lamps or devices), holes or cable channels should be planned in the back panels.

Third, the appearance:
- To prevent the room divider from looking bulky, using glass or acrylic fronts is worthwhile. These are offered by IKEA for BESTA and reflect light.
- A combination of open compartments and closed doors in hardwood veneer can also look elegant.

One more tip for assembly:
- Be sure to anchor the system to a wall or ceiling if the room divider is not backed by walls on both sides. This prevents it from tipping over.

Finally: Your specific room situation and how you plan to use the space should guide the design. Therefore, it would be helpful to know the size of the room and whether you have any special storage requirements.