ᐅ How do I replace Ikea BESTA handles myself?

Hello everyone, some time ago I bought an IKEA BESTÅ sideboard and now I want to replace the handles on the doors myself to give the piece a more personalized look.

I am particularly interested in the best way to do this without damaging the furniture surface or the doors.

Could someone explain in detail which tools I will need, how to best remove the old handles, and what I should pay attention to with the new handles – for example, regarding drill holes or screw length?

I have no prior experience with furniture handles, so I would appreciate a detailed step-by-step guide.

Thank you in advance!

Hello Anibal,

for changing the handles, you will need a Phillips screwdriver.

Simply unscrew the old handles, then attach the new handles with the appropriate screws.

Make sure the screws are not too long, otherwise they will go through the furniture.

Done.

Anibal schrieb:
I am particularly interested in knowing the best way to proceed without damaging the furniture surface or the doors.

This is a very important point, as the BESTÅ series has a coated surface that can be easily scratched or damaged if handled too roughly.

- Tools: A Phillips screwdriver (PH2) is recommended because it fits the screws of the original handles best. Alternatively, a cordless drill with a torque limiter can be useful to avoid overtightening.

- Removing the old handles: The screws are usually located on the inside of the doors. You should carefully loosen them by turning the screws slowly and evenly. Avoid sudden pulling to prevent leaving pressure marks.

- New handles: Make sure the screw length of the new handles fits exactly. The doors of the BESTÅ are usually about 16–18 mm (0.6–0.7 inches) thick, so the screws should not be too long. Typical lengths are 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 inches).

- Drill holes: Normally, you can reuse the existing holes for the handles. If the new handles have a different hole spacing, you will need to measure very precisely and drill new holes. It is best to use a small drill bit (approx. 3 mm (0.1 inch)) and work with a drill stand or linear guide system to avoid lateral slipping.

- Clean work: To avoid scratches, place a thin cloth under the area where you are working and keep the surface free of dust and wood shavings.

If you want to know more about a specific step or which handles you plan to use, I’m happy to help!

kulau schrieb:
- Removing the old handles: The screws are usually located on the inside of the doors.

Exactly, beginners often underestimate where the screws are positioned.

If you can open the doors, you’ll find the screws on the inside of the door. They are easy to reach and unscrew from there.

kulau schrieb:
- New handles: Make sure the screw length of the new handles fits perfectly.

This is really important. I once used screws that were too long, and they poked out the back, which not only looked bad but could also damage the door.

My tip: hold everything together first to check the fit, then screw it in.

And if you don’t want to drill new holes, you absolutely have to compare the hole spacing of the new handles with the old ones.

For BESTÅ furniture, the hole spacing is often 128mm (5 inches), but this can vary.

If the new handles really don’t fit, I’d recommend double-checking the original BESTÅ handles or exact measurements.

Good luck with your project!