ᐅ Is there a simple way to secure IKEA BESTA doors using magnets?

Hello everyone, I have an IKEA Besta sideboard with doors that unfortunately do not have an integrated locking mechanism and often do not stay properly closed. My question is: Is there a simple, practical way to magnetically secure the IKEA Besta doors without making major modifications to the furniture? I’m thinking of small magnets or special magnetic catches that are ideally easy to install and leave no visible marks. Are there any proven solutions that work reliably and don’t require too much DIY effort? Perhaps someone also has experience with the size and strength of the magnets or the best placement on the doors. Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hello, a simple solution is to use small neodymium magnets attached to the door and the frame. It is best to use self-adhesive magnets that are hidden behind the edge of the door. Make sure to choose the right magnet strength so that the door holds securely but can be opened easily.

Hello fegikla, I’d like to give you a simple step-by-step guide on how to attach magnetic catches to your IKEA BESTA doors with minimal effort:

- Get small neodymium magnets with a self-adhesive backing. These are strong enough to hold the doors securely but compact and unobtrusive.
- Thoroughly clean the spots on the door and the cabinet frame where you plan to attach the magnets to ensure the adhesive sticks well.
- First, place a magnet on the inside of the door, ideally at the rear edge or the top edge, so that it aligns perfectly with the matching magnet or metal plate on the cabinet frame when the door closes.
- Use a tool like a piece of paper to test the gap and find the optimal position. Incorrect positioning can cause the doors not to close fully or to pop open under pressure.
- If the cabinet frame does not have a metal surface, you can use small metal plates as the counterpart. These plates are then glued inside the cabinet at the correct spot.
- Make sure the magnets are installed so they are not visible when the door is closed, preserving the design. If self-adhesive magnets are not available, small screw-on magnets can also work as an alternative.
- As a tip: the ideal size for the magnets is usually between 8 and 12 mm (0.3 to 0.5 inches) in diameter, with a thickness of about 2-3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 inches). This provides enough holding power without making the doors too hard to open.

In summary, this method is effective, quick to apply, and does not visibly damage the furniture. Good luck with your project!

naujon schrieb:
First, place a magnet on the inside of the door, ideally at the very back or along the top edge, so that it aligns perfectly with the matching magnet or metal contact point on the cabinet frame when closed.

That’s exactly how I did it, and it works great! It’s a small DIY project that’s a lot of fun because you can immediately see how it improves the furniture’s function. 😊

I can only encourage you to give it a try, as with a little patience you can really achieve a nice result. The idea of using metal plates for the cabinet frame is also excellent if you don’t have any metal available. Keep at it—these small improvements really make a difference!