ᐅ Which materials are suitable for custom cladding of IKEA Platsa units?

An important factor when choosing the material is also the climate exposure at your location.

Wood-based materials that are not treated or are poorly treated against moisture can warp. This can be problematic in kitchens or wet rooms.

In such cases, you should rather opt for coated or water-resistant materials, such as water-resistant MDF or special HPL panels.

If the piece is placed in the living room, you can use classic MDF or plywood.

The following materials work great:

- Painted MDF
- Raw or painted plywood
- Thin plastic sheets for a modern look

Just make sure to follow the exact measurements, otherwise the coverings won’t fit properly.

Last year, I covered my cupboard with painted MDF panels and was initially unsure if it would work.

I liked working with the materials, even though I was a bit afraid of the tools at first.

It also helped that I made a plan beforehand to decide which surfaces would be covered and which would not. This prevents surprises later on.

If you want, I’m happy to share more about the specific challenges I faced and how I resolved them.

chentan schrieb:
Do you already have specific ideas about the style or planned DIY level?

Thank you for the detailed response. My idea is a modern, rather simple look, preferably without visible screws or sharp edges.

I have basic DIY skills but I'm not a professional. This means the materials should be forgiving when it comes to minor measurement inaccuracies.

Also, I want to do the cladding myself using standard tools; I don’t own any specialized equipment.

Considering this, what would you or you all recommend?

tufan57 schrieb:
I have basic DIY skills but I’m not a professional. That means the materials should be forgiving when it comes to small measurement inaccuracies.

This is important. In your case, I would recommend MDF with pre-applied edge banding. These edge bands visually conceal cut edges very well and also allow for some tolerance during processing.

A modern look without visible screws can be achieved nicely with hidden mounting brackets and wood glue.

If you only have basic DIY skills, you should rely on simple tools:

- Jigsaw or circular saw for cutting (make sure to use fine-toothed blades)
- Fine sandpaper
- Edge banding (preferably as iron-on foil)

Still, I recommend practicing first on scrap pieces, as cutting MDF generates a lot of dust.

If you like, I can also put together a small list of the necessary materials and tools for you.

relupa schrieb:
Also, it helped me that I first made a plan showing which surfaces would be covered and which would not.

That’s exactly the key!

When you plan, you know exactly which measurements you need, understand the relationships involved, and can save on materials.

Also, if you want to add a bit of color, you can create really cool accents through the shape and arrangement of the cladding—without much effort.