ᐅ Ikea BESTA – How Do I Build an Integrated Charging Station for Phones and Tablets?

Hello everyone,

I am currently considering how to integrate a charging station for phones and tablets into my Ikea Besta sideboard. It should look as neat as possible, with no visible cables and ideally also provide secure positioning for the devices. I am especially interested in practical tips on how to neatly arrange the internal wiring, which USB charging electronics work best (e.g., fast charging, Power Delivery, etc.), and whether it makes sense to drill custom holes in the carcass or if using inserts is better. I’m also concerned about heat generation during longer charging sessions – does anyone have experience with the best way to manage this?

For the power connection, I am thinking of a hidden socket inside the sideboard, but how can the cables be routed discreetly, so it doesn’t end up looking like a DIY job? I appreciate any ideas and experiences, including recommendations for materials or tools that are especially suitable.

Thanks in advance for your expertise!

Some time ago, I completed a similar project using the IKEA BESTA system. My most important tip is to carefully plan the cable routing before assembly and to use USB charging electronics with built-in voltage regulation (Power Delivery is useful if you want to charge tablets).

- To neatly hide cables, you can use cable channels inside the cabinet, which you can secure with small screws.
- Drill holes only where there are no load-bearing feet or reinforcements – usually the back panel is suitable.
- Regarding heat: Use a charging unit with good ventilation slots, or add ventilation holes in the cabinet, for example, near the top at the back.
- It is best to place power outlets on the internal partition towards the back; this way, the power connection remains very discreet.

Material tips: For inserts, tabs with rubber ring covers work well – this gives a professional appearance in the end.

I really appreciate that you’re putting so much thought into how to make it clean and functional!

blapau schrieb:

- It’s best to move the outlets to the back in the partition wall; that way, the power connection stays discreet.

That advice also helped me a lot with my setup. You feel much more relaxed when there are no visible cables or extension cords lying around.

What was personally important to me was having some flexibility with the charging position—not everything fixed in place—so I can sometimes use a different device or charging cable. Maybe that’s relevant for you too?

And don’t worry, once you get started, building it yourself can actually be quite enjoyable.

Regarding heat generation: Chargers placed inside enclosed furniture can cause increased temperatures, especially when multiple devices are charging simultaneously. An effective solution is to include not only ventilation openings but also a small active cooling system—such as quiet fans.

For wiring, it is recommended to use USB-C Power Delivery modules that can directly adjust the output voltage between 5–20 V. These modules are compact and easy to install.

Additionally:
- Installing USB panels with charging ports on the back panel of the Besta unit avoids visible cables
- Cable ties or hook-and-loop straps ensure tidy cable management
- Controlled power strips with surge protection are advisable

Mounting inserts made of plexiglass or wood can provide additional support for device positioning.

I would like to question something here:

blapau schrieb:

- Holes should only be drilled where there are no load-bearing legs or reinforcements – usually the back panel is suitable.

Why the back panel? Most IKEA BESTA units have thin back panels that hardly provide any structural support, but drilling holes can reduce stability – especially if you drill multiple holes.

Also regarding heat:

Dopoki schrieb:

An effective measure is to include, besides air vents, a small active ventilation system – for example, small fans that operate quietly.

Is this really necessary for a normal phone charging station? In my opinion, passive ventilation is often sufficient since fans increase power consumption and can cause noise.

And about hiding cables: This is certainly a matter of personal preference, but wouldn’t it be more practical to arrange cables so they can be easily replaced if needed, rather than hiding them completely? Especially in case of charging issues, it is convenient to have good access to the connectors.

A bit of lightness in the matter:

I built my charging station inside the BESTA unit using flexible silicone mats – they keep tablets and phones securely in place. Super practical when guests come over and devices need a quick charge.

Lonar schrieb:

It should look as elegant as possible, so no visible cables and ideally also provide a secure positioning of the devices.

That’s exactly what such a mat achieves! In addition, I installed a USB power strip with Power Delivery (3 ports) inside the cabinet. I routed the cables along the back panel, using cable clips – it looks really neat.

A small tip: build a prototype first out of cardboard to test the placement and cable runs. Saves you a lot of headaches later on.