ᐅ Is there a guide on how to equip IKEA BESTA units with glass fronts?

Hello everyone, I’m currently considering how to upgrade my IKEA Besta sideboard with glass fronts. Is there a clear and reliable guide or a proven method to replace the classic doors on Besta units with glass fronts? I imagine that the functionality should be maintained, meaning no issues during installation, and that the appearance should look high-quality. Does anyone have experience or tips on the best way to approach this, especially regarding the mounting and selection of suitable glass fronts? I’d appreciate any advice, whether it’s a DIY tip or a reference to specific accessories.

Hi neomarion! 😊 I tried this with my BESTA a while ago. Although there is no official IKEA guide for it, many creative people have shared useful tips. It’s important to fit the glass fronts with the right hinges and mounting kits. Sometimes it helps to buy special adapters or make small wooden inserts to ensure everything is stable. It takes a bit of patience, but the result looks great long-term – the glass really enhances the furniture visually, makes a statement, and is easy to clean. If you want, I can explain in more detail how I did it!

Glass fronts for BESTA can usually be ordered directly from IKEA, but not all models fit every sideboard. If you are looking for instructions, it is best to refer to the assembly guidelines for STANDARD doors and adapt the mounting to the glass. Important: Glass panels usually need to be installed with an additional bracket due to their weight.

If you are looking for a guide: IKEA does not provide an “official” DIY instruction for retrofitting BESTA units with glass fronts; you only get this if you purchase the appropriate replacement parts (door frame + glass). Otherwise, you can replace the regular doors yourself, but you need to make sure to use the correct hinges.

Thanks for the initial tips! @Elodie, I’m very interested in your detailed approach because I’m often unsure about the hinges. What exactly are the adapters or wooden inserts you mentioned? And how did you handle the glass – did you use pre-made panels or cut them yourself? It’s important to me that the panels are durable and that opening and closing are not affected. I might also look into alternative installation methods if the original hinges don’t fit. Any additional advice on this would be very helpful!

Sure, gladly! So, I first had the glass panels cut at a local glazing company, which works well since nothing creaks or sticks that way. The adapters are simple wooden strips that I fixed inside the door frame to provide the hinges with a solid anchor – this is necessary because glass itself cannot hold anything. I used the hinges directly from IKEA, the same as for standard doors; the mounting points remain the same. Only the screws sometimes need to be a bit longer to go through the wooden adapter and the glass panel. Important: Use silicone pads between the wooden strips and the glass to prevent damage and ensure the door closes quietly. My panels have held up without issues for 2 years.