ᐅ How can I build an Ikea BESTA unit as a storage bench for a child's room?

Hello everyone, I am planning to convert the Ikea Besta shelving system into a bench with storage for the children’s room. I am looking for a detailed, practical guide or tips on how to best achieve this. It is especially important to me to know how to connect the modules so that the bench is stable enough to support occasional visits from my kids, while also providing sufficient and easily accessible storage space. Are there any recommendations regarding the right BESTA modules, optimal fastening methods, or suitable seat cushions or custom-made covers? Any advice on child-friendly height and safety would also be very helpful. Thanks in advance!

I recommend placing two or three BESTA units side by side and connecting them from the inside using metal brackets. For the seat surface, it’s best to use a sturdy wooden board, which you place on top and secure with screws. Seat cushions can be purchased separately and attached with Velcro strips.

Thank you for the detailed question.

To convert a BESTA unit into a stable and functional bench for a children's room, you should first pay attention to choosing the right module. The standard BESTA units are usually 40 cm deep (16 inches), which can be borderline for seating. I recommend either selecting deeper modules or combining multiple modules in depth to create enough seating space and storage.

The modules are best connected with specialized connectors from Ikea or sturdy metal brackets that you attach inside. The seat surface should be made of a strong, load-bearing wooden board that you screw onto the BESTA units. Pay attention to the edges—they should be child-friendly, either rounded or fitted with edge protection.

Regarding height: Around 40–45 cm (16–18 inches) seat height is ideal for children, which usually matches the height of BESTA modules, so you typically don’t need to raise the construction further. Seat cushions come in various thicknesses—those with non-slip backing are practical because they won’t slide around.

For storage: It’s best to use doors or flaps that allow for shelves inside. Drawers are also possible, but in a children’s room, open compartments can provide quick access.

In summary: Make sure to consider height, depth, secure connections, and a safe, cushioned seating surface.

Vinlen schrieb:
The standard BESTA units are usually 40 cm (16 inches) deep, which can be quite shallow for a seating bench.

This is an important point. Only 40 cm (16 inches) depth is indeed not very comfortable, especially if children of above-average height are supposed to sit on it. Stacking multiple modules in depth significantly changes the stability and load-bearing capacity.

I would also question to what extent the furniture combination can really provide the required stability in the children's room position without additional reinforcements. Metal brackets are practical, but an extra cross brace might be advisable to prevent the seat surface from bending under prolonged load.

Care should also be taken when attaching the seat cushions. If they come loose, they can become a tripping hazard. Personally, I would rely on firmly sewn, durable solutions or suggest a substructure with recessed upholstery.

kasan schrieb:
Only 40cm (16 inches) depth is indeed not very comfortable

That’s a good point, thanks for the note! I haven’t yet checked whether the modules can be combined to enlarge the seating area. Does anyone have experience with this?

emmett schrieb:
placing two or three BESTA units side by side and connecting them from the inside with metal brackets

How exactly do you connect the modules side by side? Are the brackets screwed into the side panels or rather into the inner compartments?

And one more question: Are the Ikea countertops suitable as seating surfaces? At first glance, they seem a bit thin.

Regarding the connections: Metal brackets should not only join the side panels but ideally also be attached inside the back panel of the modules to ensure a stable connection. Use screws that are long enough to securely hold both panels together but not so long that they protrude inside the compartments.

As for the seating surface: IKEA countertops are often sturdier than they appear at first glance, as they are usually made of wood-based material with a high-quality surface finish. However, they are often only about 2.8 cm (1.1 inches) thick and should definitely be supported with an additional substructure or multiple fixing points to prevent sagging.

Alternatively, you can choose a plywood board at least 18 mm (0.7 inches) thick. This can bear loads better and can be easily screwed to the BESTA frame.

For a comfortable bench, it also makes sense to reinforce the frame with cross braces — especially if children are going to use it with full body weight. This prevents sagging and extends its lifespan.