ᐅ How do I convert Ikea BESTA into a home office cabinet with cable management?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to convert my Ikea BESTÅ cabinet into a home office solution to organize my workspace efficiently while integrating a clean cable management system.

Specifically, I would like to understand which materials and tools are recommended, and how to best create clean and stable openings for cables in the back panel or side panels without compromising the cabinet’s structural integrity. I’m also interested to know if there are any special cable grommets or outlets that work well with the BESTÅ system, and how to achieve a visually neat solution that keeps cables as hidden and tidy as possible.

Are there any tried-and-tested guides or tips from you on the best way to modify these cabinets for this purpose? I especially look forward to step-by-step experiences, recommendations on drilling and mounting techniques, as well as advice on cable routing inside the cabinet components.

I’m looking forward to your opinions and support!

Hello ninar45,

I completely understand your question, as cable management with IKEA furniture like BESTÅ can often be tricky.

Basically, I recommend first removing all electronic devices and taking off the back panel. If you plan to drill holes for cable pass-throughs, it is important to use a hole saw or spade bit of the appropriate size – usually, diameters between 60 and 80 mm (2.4 and 3.1 inches) are sufficient. The back panel is usually made of thin MDF or hardboard, so be careful, as it can easily chip or splinter.

A practical method is to mark the holes first and then smooth the edges with fine sandpaper to avoid damaging cables.

Alternatively, you can use special plastic cable grommets or rubber sleeves, which are often available as accessories. These also protect the cables and have a more polished appearance. Make sure to position the pass-throughs so that cable runs remain as short and logical as possible.

Important: Check beforehand whether drilling holes could affect the stability of the BESTÅ back panel. If you want to avoid damaging the back panel, another option is to attach small cable channels or clips inside the cabinet to route the cables neatly.

I hope this helps you already. If you like, I can gladly put together a checklist of tools and materials for you.

Katau schrieb:
Basically, I recommend removing all electronic devices first and then dismantling the back panel.

That’s a good start!

To add more detail, especially regarding the BESTÅ unit, there are a few important points to consider with the back panel. Although it is not load-bearing in many models, it does provide a certain level of stabilization. So if you plan to drill holes, you should carefully plan and make sure the stability is not compromised.

This is how I proceed when removing it:

- Remove the back panel and place it on the underside of the cabinet to mark the position for the cable entry point. It’s generally best to drill close to the corner so cables can be routed out at the side.

- Use a fine-toothed hole saw at low speed to avoid splintering. I’ve had good results by using protective measures such as a thin strip of painter’s tape over the drilling spot.

- Since the back panel is usually thin, support it on the back side with a small wooden block to prevent material from splintering.

- After drilling: don’t forget to deburr the hole edges with a round file set, as even small irregularities can damage cables.

- For cable entry points, round plastic rings with brushes are recommended—they keep out dust while allowing cables to pass neatly. There are also flexible rubber models that provide better sealing.

- Inside the cabinet, self-adhesive cable ducts and clips can be used to organize network cables, power cords, etc., keeping them separated and tidy.

One more tip: If your devices have plugs with thicker cable profiles, measure the maximum cable diameter so your cable entries are wide enough.

Finally, I recommend installing a power strip inside the cabinet to minimize long cable runs.

Do you already have an idea where exactly the cables will be routed out? That would help to give more precise advice.

leebi7 schrieb:
So when drilling holes, you should plan carefully and make sure the structural integrity is not compromised.

Thank you for this important clarification. I actually plan to route the cables downward toward the back, as there is a power outlet in the adjacent cabinet compartment.

I will take your advice about positioning near the corner. I’ll try using painter’s tape with the hole saw to prevent chipping.

leebi7 schrieb:
There are also models made of rubber that are flexible and provide better sealing.

I had those rubber grommets in mind but wasn’t sure if they would fit well in the thin back panel. If I make the opening about 70 mm (3 inches) in diameter, that should work well, right?

leebi7 schrieb:
Inside, you can use self-adhesive cable ducts and clips to keep network cables, power cables, etc. organized and separated.

I really like that tip, especially since I’m afraid things could get messy otherwise.

Just a quick question: What size hole saw would you recommend to stay flexible for different cable diameters but not make the hole too large for stability?

Hello ninar45 and everyone else,

Regarding the topic "How to convert Ikea BESTÅ into a home office cabinet with cable routing," I would like to share a brief tutorial:

1. Planning the cable routes:
- Determine exactly which devices you want to place inside the cabinet (PC, printer, router, etc.) and their positions.
- Measure all required cable diameters plus some extra space to allow for future expansions.

2. Preparing the BESTÅ:
- Carefully remove the back panel, as it is often very thin and delicate.

3. Making the holes:
- Use a hole saw about 60 to 80 mm (2.4 to 3.1 inches) in diameter; this is ideal for common cable entries.
- Cover the drilling area with painter’s tape to prevent splintering.
- Drill slowly at a reduced speed to achieve clean edges.

4. Edge protection and cable entry:
- I strongly recommend installing special plastic or rubber grommets, which you can usually find in hardware or electrical stores.
- These protect the cables from damage and provide a neat finish.

5. Cable management inside:
- Use cable clips and self-adhesive cable ducts to secure and group cables.
- You can also use cable ties, but avoid tightening them too much.

6. Internal cabinet organization:
- Consider installing power strips with switches. These can be mounted on the back or bottom of the cabinet.

7. Final tips:
- If needed, you can also install small L-shaped metal brackets to hold cables or shelves.
- Remember to always ensure proper ventilation of the cabinet, especially for electronic devices.

Regarding your last question about the hole saw size: 70 mm (2.8 inches) is a very good compromise. It works well for larger cable bundles and standard cable entries. The stability of the back panel is barely affected if the rest is handled carefully.

If you want more details on any of the steps, feel free to ask.

rotofra schrieb:
Cover the drill hole with painter’s tape to prevent chipping.

Great tip, one I hadn’t heard before!!

I also converted my BESTÅ cabinet into a home office and can confirm that a clean cable management solution is absolutely essential!

Additionally, I want to encourage you not to overlook the small details: once you have the cabinet, you’ll quickly realize that it can be really fun to customize it step-by-step! A bit of DIY enthusiasm is part of the process :-)

rotofra schrieb:
I strongly recommend installing special plastic or rubber grommets,

Exactly! Those are worth their weight in gold! I just picked some up at a hardware store.

It’s also very useful to integrate LED strips into the cable channels — looks great and helps when working!

Good luck to everyone with their DIY projects, I’m sure it will turn out great!