ᐅ Ikea Besta – How Can I Organize the Interior Drawers Efficiently?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought an Ikea Besta shelving unit and now face the challenge of organizing the inner drawers effectively. My main question is how to best structure the inside of the drawers to both make efficient use of storage space and keep things organized so that I can quickly find what I’m looking for.

The drawers are relatively deep and wide, which makes it difficult for me to find a good division. For example, I would like to store small everyday items like cables, remote controls, batteries, and similar small parts separately from larger objects.

What I am especially interested in: Do you use dividers, organizing boxes, or special inserts? How do you manage to make even hidden corners useful? Which concepts have proven practical in daily use and which ones haven’t?

I look forward to your tips and experiences!

Hello DEOKLA,

I can definitely understand how challenging this can be. I had a very similar experience with my Besta system. At first, I had a chaotic mix of items in the drawers, which led to constant searching and frustration. What helped me a lot were adjustable shelves and especially pull-out inserts.

I mainly use small boxes and compartments that I can arrange in different ways. I also developed the habit of grouping similar items together, like putting all cables in one separate container and batteries in a small box with a lid – this way, nothing gets mixed up.

By the way, it’s completely normal to reorganize once or twice until you find a system that really works. I think flexibility is especially important in systems like this.

How large are your drawers exactly? Maybe then I could give you more specific recommendations.

I would recommend using modular boxes and dividers. This allows you to adjust the space flexibly to fit your items. Additionally, shallow plastic containers are good for small parts. This way, everything stays organized and easy to reach.

Hey DEOKLA,

I’ve fitted the inner drawers of my Besta with different colored insert boxes, which really makes tidying up more enjoyable! 😄

The great thing about these inserts is that you can easily create different categories – for example, “Tech & Cables” in blue, “Office Supplies” in green, and so on. This way, you can find what you’re looking for much faster.

I also like using small transparent containers for tiny items like SD cards or coins. They stack well and take up very little space.

Just a tip: Don’t let too many items lie loose in a large drawer, or it gets messy quickly. It’s better to use several smaller “subfolders” inside.

Organizing is fun – make it colorful and practical! 😉

Alberto51 schrieb:
I mainly focus on small boxes and compartments that I can arrange in different ways.

That is a reasonable approach, but I doubt that using only boxes is always the best solution.

You should also consider how often you need access to certain items. A rigid box system with only predefined sections can reduce efficiency, especially if rarely used items would be better stored together.

In my opinion, a more flexible organization system would be ideal here, such as adjustable dividers that can be moved as needed.

Additionally, I wonder if we question the issue of “hidden corners” enough. It’s important not only to optimize floor space but also accessibility, which is related to the drawer’s depth.

Genevieve schrieb:
Also, I wonder if we question the issue of "hidden corners" enough.

I agree with you on that. Especially with pull-out drawers, the problem is often that items are placed at the back and easily forgotten.

One possible solution is a so-called drawer organizer system with transparent, removable compartments that can also be taken out for cleaning.

Another point: You should think in advance about which items you need frequently and store those in the front, with less frequently used ones further back. So, it’s not just about organization but also about prioritization.

I would also recommend not overfilling the drawers. Otherwise, comfort suffers, and it tends to become more cluttered.