ᐅ Is there a guide on how to use Ikea Besta as a shoe cabinet with ventilation?

Good morning everyone, I am currently working on converting an Ikea Besta system into a shoe cabinet and have an important question: Is there any guide or practical solution for using the Ikea Besta as a shoe cabinet with sufficient ventilation?

I am aware that shoes, especially when used frequently, require some air circulation to prevent odors and moisture. The Ikea Besta is originally designed for closed storage – so are there any tips or examples on how to modify this cabinet to make it suitable for shoes without causing mold or musty smells?

I am thinking about ventilation openings, special inserts, or other technical tricks. Who has experience or knows of specific instructions for this? I look forward to your opinions and ideas.

Hello, I am not aware of any direct instructions for a ventilated Besta shoe cabinet. However, you can cut ventilation slots into the back panel or drill small holes and install a fan to promote air circulation. This helps to reduce moisture.

A very interesting question, Lupau3. Basically, the Ikea Besta system is not designed for shoe storage with ventilation, but you can certainly make modifications to make it functional.

- First, I recommend replacing or modifying the back panel. Instead of the solid board, you can use a perforated wooden panel or a grille that allows air permeability.
- Another option is to incorporate ventilation slots at the bottom and top to enable natural convection: cool air is drawn in at the bottom, and warm air can escape at the top.
- Electrical support like small, quiet fans can further improve the situation, especially in more humid rooms.
- Inside, you can use wire racks for shoes that do not block airflow behind the footwear.

I’m still wondering in which room the cabinet will be placed? Living room, hallway, bathroom? The ambient humidity here is crucial for the right solution.

bapar schrieb:
I’m still wondering which room the chest of drawers is meant for? Living room, hallway, bathroom? The surrounding humidity is crucial for finding the right solution.

Thank you for the detailed suggestions! The chest of drawers is intended for the hallway, which is heated but can be quite damp at times, especially in the winter months due to wet shoes.

I like your idea of a perforated back panel – are there any proven materials or specific boards that work well and are stable enough for this? And will the stability of the Besta system hold up after such modifications? I want the chest to remain solid and durable.

This is an interesting topic—I once did a similar modification on a Besta myself. Here is my brief guide:

- Step 1: Replace the back panel – I used a plywood board with cut-out ventilation holes, about 10mm (0.4 inches) thick. Sturdy enough to ensure stability.

- Step 2: Position the ventilation holes thoughtfully – I cut a row of holes at the bottom and another row about 5cm (2 inches) apart at the top to create natural air circulation.

- Step 3: Inside, I inserted a wire mesh shelf so that air can circulate between the shoes.

- Step 4: Sand the edges of the ventilation holes smoothly to prevent damage or splinters.

I can confirm that stability hardly suffers if you replace the back panel properly and avoid making openings that are too large. Especially around the door area, I recommend not making holes to maintain the design and integrity.

Tip: If you want, you can install a small activated carbon filter to further reduce odors.

klo40 schrieb:
I used plywood with cut-out ventilation holes, about 10mm (0.4 inches) thick. Stiff enough to ensure stability.

That sounds very helpful, thanks! How did you cut the ventilation holes? Drill or jigsaw? Do you need special tools, or can this be done with a basic DIY toolkit?

One more question: How does this work with the open legs of Besta? Do you need to add something underneath—like rubber pads or risers—to improve airflow?