ᐅ What tips or tricks can help with modifying an IKEA BESTA wine rack?

Hello everyone,

I am currently planning a remodel of my IKEA Besta shelving unit to convert it into a wine rack. I want to maximize storage space for bottles while maintaining an attractive appearance. Does anyone have useful tips or tricks on how to best modify the shelves?

In particular, I am interested in whether you recommend specific drillings, dividers, or additional supports that make the shelf suitable for wine bottles.

I have also considered partially removing the back panel to create more flexibility but am unsure if that would affect stability.

I would appreciate it if you could share your experiences or detailed instructions so I can avoid mistakes. Thanks!

To store wine bottles securely, it is advisable to shorten the depth of the shelves so that the bottles rest in the middle and do not roll out. Use small rubber pads underneath to prevent slipping. Simple wooden strips as holders are often sufficient.

Hello lobobar,

to carry out a clean and durable conversion of the IKEA BESTA shelving unit for wine bottles, you should consider the following steps:

- First, measure the exact bottle size (standard wine bottles: about 31 cm (12 inches) length). Plan for at least 34 cm (13½ inches) depth in the compartments to also accommodate corkscrews or small padding.
- The shelves can be cut out from the melamine boards or completely replaced. I often use sturdy MDF boards with a thickness of 18 mm (¾ inch), as they are easier to drill and more stable.
- For the holders, rout thin grooves in the side panels where round dowels or wooden strips can be inserted—this prevents the bottles from rolling.
- If you remove the back panel, make sure to add additional reinforcements to avoid destabilizing the shelf. A cross brace at the top and bottom is recommended.
- Important: Use water-based varnishes if the bottles might rest damp.
- Do you have special bottles (Magnum size, etc.) or prefer angled storage?

Depending on this, the design can vary significantly. Feel free to ask if you have more questions!

Hello,

some time ago, I also converted my BESTA shelf into a wine rack and would like to briefly summarize my approach:

1. Step: Plan the compartment sizes – include the bottle length plus some extra space.
2. Step: Remove the shelves and cut them to size – a table saw is useful for this.
3. Step: Instead of the backing panel, I installed thin metal profiles as cross braces to ensure stability.
4. Step: I fixed wooden dowels at short intervals on the shelves so the bottles rest securely and straight.
5. Step: To avoid scratches, I placed felt pads under the bottles.

Common mistakes:
- Completely removing the backing without replacement causes instability
- Shelves too thin or not securely installed
- No slip protection leads to dangerous slipping

Conclusion: With proper planning and small adjustments, the conversion is quite straightforward and safe.

Maybe this helps you?

If the back panel and side walls are thin, I recommend securing the shelf to the wall. This provides additional stability, especially when weights are unevenly distributed.

It is also advisable to store the bottles slightly tilted to keep the cork moist, which prevents it from drying out. For this, you can create a gently inclined shelf board design without major modifications.

valerie-tr schrieb:
Do you have special bottles (Magnums or similar) or do you prefer angled storage?

Thank you for the detailed response!

To answer your question: I mainly store standard 0.75-liter bottles, less often a Magnum. I don’t necessarily have angled storage in mind, but it would be an option if it can be implemented easily from a technical standpoint.

I like your suggestion about water-based finishes, as it’s important to me that the shelving remains easy to maintain, especially if some moisture occurs.

What would you recommend for the cutting in this case? Should I modify the original shelves or replace them entirely? Thanks again for your advice.