ᐅ Ikea BESTA: How can I install handles afterwards?

Hello everyone, I recently bought an Ikea Besta shelving unit and realized that I want to attach the handles afterwards, but there are no pre-drilled holes for them. My question is: which tools and steps are needed to attach the handles neatly and straight to the doors or drawers of the BESTA system without damaging the material? Are there any recommendations for positioning the handles and how to best align the drilling so that everything fits well and is stable afterwards? I would also appreciate tips on common mistakes when retrofitting handles. Thanks in advance for your help!

For attaching handles to Ikea BESTA units without pre-drilled holes, I recommend first using a drilling template to ensure the holes are placed accurately and evenly. The tool needed should be a drill with a depth stop and a metal drill bit sized appropriately for the screws. The handle positioning is usually based on the edges of the doors or drawers: typically, they are installed either centered vertically or in the upper corner. It is important to protect the surface with painter’s tape before drilling to avoid splintering. A tip for alignment: first create a countersink hole with a countersink drill bit to allow the screw to sit flush. This ensures stability and protects the material.

Retrofitting handles on an Ikea BESTA system actually requires some precision, as the doors and drawers are often made of particleboard with a thin laminate coating that can be easily damaged by careless drilling. First, I recommend taking accurate measurements: the height and width of the doors/drawers, as well as the desired handle position. A common practice is to place the handles about 4 to 5 cm (1.5 to 2 inches) from the top or side edge. To drill the holes, marking with a pencil and using a drilling template or a ruler with a scratch awl helps create clean lines. Very important: set the drill to the lowest speed and use a drill bit slightly smaller than the screws to avoid splitting. Applying painter’s tape to the door usually results in a clean drill entry without chipping. Afterward, the screws should be inserted from the inside and the handles mounted on the outside. Do you already have an idea of what type of handles you want to install? Some handles require different screw lengths or hole spacing, which should also be taken into account.

valerie-tr schrieb:
Do you already have an idea of which type of handles you want to install? Some handles require different screw lengths or drilling distances, which should also be considered.

Thank you very much for the detailed response. I plan to use simple, elongated aluminum handles that are usually fixed with two screws. The distance between the screws is standard at 128 mm (5 inches). The screws should therefore penetrate the door deep enough to hold firmly without breaking through the backside. The tip with the masking tape and countersink drill bit sounds very helpful – I will try it that way. Is there a recommended screw length for these handles on the approximately 16 mm (0.6 inch) thick BESTA doors? And how exactly can I ensure the holes are aligned so that the handle sits straight?

For 16mm (5/8 inch) material thickness, I recommend screws with a length of 20–25mm (3/4–1 inch). To align, use a drilling jig with a 128mm (5 inch) spacing or a precise ruler. Before drilling, check with a square to ensure the markings are straight. Painter’s tape also provides better grip during drilling.

I would like to add that it can be helpful to place the door on a solid surface before drilling to prevent damage to the back side in case the drill bit goes through. It is also advisable to pre-drill with a smaller drill bit and then enlarge the hole to the desired diameter. Using a countersink bit on the surface helps avoid chipping of the material. If you want to work with precise alignment, you can use a right-angle guide or a drilling template with fixed drill points for marking. If you feel uncertain when measuring, I recommend practicing first on a scrap piece. This will help you get accustomed to the material and the drill before working on the doors.