ᐅ How can I customize Ikea BESTA furniture using wooden moldings and decorative elements?

Hello everyone,

I have several Ikea BESTÅ units in my apartment and would like to customize them a bit to make them feel more personal and cozy. I am particularly interested in how to use wooden trim effectively to break up or complement the rather modern and plain surfaces of the BESTÅ furniture.

Does anyone have experience with attaching wooden trim (choice of material, dimensions, fastening methods) and what types of decorative elements work well with it – for example, handles, color accents, or even LED lighting?

I would also appreciate tips on how to avoid common issues with DIY projects involving wooden trim, such as durability or future disassembly of the furniture.

I look forward to your ideas and suggestions, ideally with examples or recommendations on how to customize the BESTÅ system in a way that is both unique and practical.

ruplo37 schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with installing wooden trim strips (material selection, dimensions, fastening methods) and which types of decorative elements work well with them – for example handles, color accents, or even LED lighting?

Hey, great topic, there’s really a lot you can do with that! 😎 For my BESTÅ furniture, I used wooden strips made of oiled oak. The nice thing is that you can easily attach them with construction adhesive, but if you want to be sure, you can also add small invisible nails for extra stability.

When choosing the strips, make sure they’re not too wide, otherwise it can look bulky quickly. I usually went with about 15–20mm (0.6–0.8 inches) in width, which matches well with the delicate look of the furniture.

Regarding decoration: retro-style brass handles or black metal handles create a great contrast with wood. And LED strips behind the lower edges – yes, that really creates a wow effect and works great as indirect lighting.

A tip: to make the wooden strips more durable, you can lightly sand them beforehand and treat them with hard wax oil. This makes them more resistant to dirt.

Have fun crafting – projects like these are definitely enjoyable!

dijan schrieb:
I used wooden strips made of oiled oak with my BESTÅ furniture.

The choice of material is indeed crucial for both the appearance and durability. Oak is sturdy and has a beautiful grain that contrasts well with the smooth surfaces of BESTÅ.

For attachment, I generally recommend double-sided mounting tape combined with small wooden dowels or screws, especially if the strips are intended to have a supporting function.

Regarding dimensions: the strips should not be wider than 15 to 20 millimeters (approximately 0.6 to 0.8 inches) and about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) thick to avoid overpowering the piece of furniture.

For decorative elements, I suggest minimalist handles, preferably made of metal or wood, to enhance the natural look of the strips. Inserts made of fabric or metal plates behind glass fronts can also add variety to the design.

Practical tip: measure the wooden strips precisely before installation and fix them to the back of the furniture to keep the screws hidden.

ruplo37 schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with installing wooden strips (choice of material, dimensions, fixing methods) and which types of decorative elements work well with them – for example, handles, color accents, or even LED lighting?

Basically, I think it’s important not to compromise the functionality of BESTÅ furniture by adding too much decoration. Wooden strips can enhance the design, but ideally, they should be installed in a modular way so they can be removed if needed.

I’m also wondering whether mounting adhesive is sufficient for long-term load-bearing on sturdy furniture fronts, or if screws are inevitably necessary. If the wood expands or contracts, gaps may form.

As color accents, contrasting areas in muted tones or solid-color veneers can also be an alternative. LED strips work well with open units but should be installed with proper wiring.

Finally, I would recommend always keeping reusability in mind when customizing, since BESTÅ should remain flexible even when relocating.

I find the topic of "wood trims on BESTÅ furniture" particularly interesting because it can really bring the piece to life.

One idea I implemented was adding wooden trims as simple frames around the fronts. This enhances the furniture as a focal point and significantly improves its visual appeal. I would recommend lightly sanding the wooden trims and applying a matte sealant to keep the finish natural and avoid any unpleasant shiny effects.

Regarding handles and decorative elements, I suggest being bold. Old leather handles can add a completely different type of warmth to a room, while those who prefer a more modern look can experiment with stainless steel elements and color-coordinated LED light strips.

Also important: patience! Sometimes it takes several attempts to achieve the perfect result, especially when positioning and applying glue or adhesive. It’s better to start small and expand gradually.