Computer table with shelf for printer

Materials: Besta, Vika Amon, Lansa, Vika RunTorp, Inreda

Description: The Besta and Vika Amon table top are combined as one. As a cord storage, the Lansa handle was used. The printer shelf is extended via an Inreda pull out frame and standard shelf.

~ Albert Einstein, Austria

Besta Boas Chalkboard Room Divider

Materials: Besta Boas TV storage unit, medium-density fiberboard, chalkboard paint, industrial strength velcro

Description: We recently moved into a 1000 sq. ft. apartment and quickly discovered that our large couches only fit in one configuration in the living room. Unfortunately, this covered the wall designated for the TV. In order to fit the couches, we had to put our old, ugly TV stand in the area between the dining area and living room. We decided that we needed a better-looking unit that also served as a divider to separate the two areas. We drove four hours to Ikea only to discover that our chosen unit, the Besta Boas, lacked a back panel and, therefore, was unsightly from behind.

After some quick thinking in order to salvage our drive, we recalled how much we liked the kitchen that had a chalkboard wall in the last Pottery Barn catalog. We decided we could implement this on a smaller scale with the TV unit.

After assembling the Besta Boas, we measured the opening on the back. We then went to a local home improvement store and determined that MDF was the best choice material to cover the back, as it was lightweight, durable, and did not need to be sanded (we chose the ¼ inch thickness). We had the MDF cut to the correct dimensions (at no cost). We decided to affix the MDF to the unit with Velcro in order to allow for easy access to the wires and leave space for the power strip to plug into an outlet. Velcro also allowed for the MDF and unit to blend together seamlessly.

We painted the MDF with chalkboard paint (3 coats) and attached Velcro to the back of the top and left side of the MDF and unit. We chose industrial strength Velcro, so this was more than sufficient to hold it in place.

(Be sure to note the Ikea living room rug, Ikea picture frames, and Ikea table and chairs.)

~ Leah and Albert, Texas

Wardrobe hiding wires and fuse

Materials: Billy, Besta, Tombo doors, Grundtal rails, brackets and hinges from hardware store

Description: In our 1903 apartment we were facing the typical problem of an ugly surface-mounted fuse box that we wanted to hide. As the ceiling is quite high, we couldn't find a piece furniture tall enough. So we took a Billy bookcase (79 1/2", 202 cm tall) and fixed it to the wall with metal brackets.

The fuse box is now hidden behind a Tombo door. All the extra wiring for the wifi-hardware is behind the door we built from one of the Billy shelves that we didn't need anymore.

To complete the wardrobe and get space for all our winter gear and helmets we hung a Besta shelf-unit/height extension (47 1/4", 120 cm wide) next the Billy, also with Tombo doors. The Besta had to be turned upside down because of the holes for the feet. The rod is made of two Grundtal rails. The Trones shoe storage makes the all-white wardrobe perfect. Unfortunately IKEA has discontinued the white Trones.

~ Jochen and Edith, Germany

Dump your old music cabinet

Materials: BESTA, LACK

Description: Everything is getting smaller this days: no more vinyls, no more tape decks. But a good amp is still needed, so let's just get a smaller music cabinet for now.

I created mine from a small Lack side table. I used 4 Besta wheels instead of the table legs. I got at my local hardware store 4 metric threaded insterts. I just had to drill the hole to the correct diameter and screw them in. I also got 4 metric compatible bolts (allen in my setup).

~ Felipe Chas, Madrid, Spain

Custom bed headboard with Storage

Materials: MOSJO, BESTA extension, VIKA AMON, LACK

Description: I wanted to create a custom headboard for our bed which would fit nicely underneath our bay windows. Since you can never have enough storage the ability to lift up the top and dump winter duvets, extra pillows inside would be even better!

The basic idea was to take two TV stands (the MOSJO and the BESTA extension) which are the same depth but different width's and rotate them 90° so that they become storage boxes. Then custom cut a table top to fit on top of them. The addition of a LACK shelf mounted vertically to the edge of the BESTA provided a sturdy headboard to lean against. Everything was available in the same Walnut finish except for the MOSJO and this was going to be hidden at the back, lucky!

The only additional thing I did was to cut down the shelves that came with the BESTA to make them about 2" deep and screw them to the sides of the cabinet before attaching the LACK bracket in order to make the edge thicker and provide better support to the shelf.

See more of the custom headboard storage

~ Oli, Brooklyn, NY

Upholstered Ikea Besta

Materials: Besta, hammer, upholstery nails, pen, ruler, paper

Description: We used Besta cabinets for this project.

1. Cut a piece of paper in a pattern that you like and trace it on the doors.

2. I then marked, with a pencil, where I wanted the nails to be.

3. Hammer down an upholstery nail on each marking

4. Enjoy!

See more of the upholstered Besta as well as her other easy and cheap DIY projects.

~ Tina @ Signed by Tina, Sweden

Besta hack

Materials: Besta

Description: It's a simple Besta living with some little improvements.

My wife and I wanted a furniture with a simple and clean design where we put a flat TV, a Wii and a PS2 console with all their games and accessories (Wii Balance board, controller), a DVD reader (with our DVD collection) and an Hi-Fi: the project was aimed at creating a piece of furniture with these quality.

We bought 6 shelf unit 40x38 cm and 2 shelf unit 40x64cm and we hung them up the wall with plugs, by forming the design you see in the photo.

Because we hate dangling cables, we drilled some hole in the back of the bookshelf to allow cables passages: this solution achieved a clean design without cables in sight.

Moreover, we created a couple of drawers to place the DVD, games and console accessories. Because the drawer front is sold only in 16x69cm dimension, we bought two standard 60x38cm doors and we engraved the inner side using a milling cutter.

~ Gabriele, Rome, IT

Waooouu! How did you find a TV that fits perfectly with Besta?

Materials: Besta

Description: "How did you find a TV that fits perfectly with Besta?"

It's surprising, but I actually heard many times friends asking me that when looking out our media center installation.

At the beginning of this project, my girlfriend chose the Besta at Ikea and told me that it would fit well in our living room, with plenty of storage place. Fine, but I found that all the TV frames sold by Ikea were ugly and did not provide adequate hiding for all the mess involved with the rather "DIY" style I have.

Then I found the idea of using the Besta TV element, devised to go with sliding doors, but with opening doors, cut to size. My goal was to have the TV included in the neat surface of all the white gloss Besta doors. I also wanted to have access to the back side of the TV, for easier cable modifications. At last I wanted to spare some of the space behind the TV for storage of electronic stuff...

I ended with the solution displayed in the pics.

Installation steps:
- cut a thick (15mm or so) plywood sheet to hold the TV set, with holes for venting and cables access;
- install it in the Besta, keeping in mind the depth of the TV set, so that everything aligns at the end of the trip;
- hang the TV on it. down to the knees, small prayer, everything holds!
- cut the doors to match the size of the tv set. I used first a jigsaw for the rough cut, but for a perfect look, I used a handheld router with a copy bit, with a metallic rule as a guide. I am pretty satisfied with the final result (that was a challenge which my father and brother told me "you'll never have a straight cut on Ikea". Then I added a finishing black liner. I do not mention all the adjustment back and forth steps.
- install doors with a bit of adaptation, since it is not designed for that...
- close everything and enjoy!

optional:
- install a fan to force hot air (40-50°C) out. (not yet done)
- drill 2 holes in the bottom, install IR LEDs for Wii bar replacement...

Final steps:
- Wait for the reaction of friends.
- Take pics for ikea hacker
- Pray your TV set do not die, you'll probably end up cutting a new door, and that's painful.

~ Jerome Samson, Paris, France

Quick Besta hack with Inreda magazine shelf

Materials: Besta structure, Besta shelves, Inreda magazine shelf

Description: I changed recently my kitchen cupboard opting for Besta. I had jars/boxes I wanted to show but there were a lot of them. During my 54 412 555th visit my Ikea store, I saw the Inreda magazine shelf (which exist in aluminium or plastic) and this made a bell ring in my brain.

Back home, I put it on a Besta shelf, put my jars on, pull and all was perfectly sliding.

As I wanted it on a shelf put above a space closed by a Vara door, I added a shelf directly on the fixed first shelf. Inreda went onto it and 'clipped' on it at the back.

When I pull the Inreda plastic shelf the wood shelf slide with it. This is heavier but also gives more support. If there is no double 'shelving', the Inreda will clip in the fixed shelf and you won't be able to make it slide.

You can also do this hack onto an open shelf (with no space closed by a door below). Inreda won't 'clip' at the back of the shelf as there is no space left, so Inreda will be elevated of some millimeters at the back but this won't prevent it to slide correctly (see drawing).

The Inreda magazine shelf exists in aluminium which is stronger to hold jars but can scratch the shelf below.

N.B.: note you have to hold the shelf when you slide it and take sthg with the other hand. It won't stand by itself.

~ Jerry, Belgium

Best (a) shop

Materials: Besta bookshelf

Description: I replaced the back of Besta bookshelf with a plexiglass panel and put lamps at the back.

~ JVD textile design, Rome, Italy

High-end floating desk and built in. Low end price,

Materials: BESTA cabinets NUMERAR counter tops

Description: It has always bothered me that if you wanted to do a built-in at a custom size you cant use the Besta products which have the best finishes.

After some inspecting of the way the Besta units were put together I figured out that you could hack it so it would look finished and still be able to fit perfect into.

If you cut each end cabinet and hanging track and put the rough ends against the walls you can have a perfect built-in look.

The same can be done with the Numerar counter tops to use as a floating desk.

For full instructions see my full post on my blog.

~ Gene, Brooklyn

Contemporary concealed entertainment center

Materials: Ikea Besta frames, Ikea Framsta doors

Description: We wanted to replace our dated TV stand and open faced media towers with a new contemporary, sleek entertainment cabinet. Had to be modern yet functional. Key attributes were to be low to the ground, minimalist, big enough to hold the 56" HDTV, conceal all the components and speakers. We had to have doors that would allow sound and remote control signals to pass thru.

To center the AV Receiver and center channel speaker under the TV we needed an odd number of shelf alcoves. This led us to purchase two double unit Besta shelf frames and a single unit Besta shelf frame. The left and right speakers as well as other components fit nicely in the Besta shelves.

Key to this hack were the doors. We purchased 5 Framsta door kits in total. The center three doors were hacked to allow sound and IR remote control signals to pass. I cut out the centers of the doors using a jig saw and then wrapped the door frames in speaker cloth purchased at the local craft store. Using spray adhesive and a staple gun, the speaker cloth was stretched over the door frames and secured in place. I used the Framsta hinges included and mounted to the Besta shelf units.

We're really happy with the system. The simplistic, low sleek entertainment cabinet fits our style and budget - less than $350!!

~ Tim, Orlando, FL

BESTÅ turns into play-centre

Materials: 2 BESTÅ units with 6 shelfs, 2 BESTÅ units with 1shelf, 2 drawers with front, 4 sets of large BESTÅ castors, 8 square doors, all white. Two MDF wooden plates, white paint, screwdrivers, screws, saw and lots of glue. Two white KRITTER chairs.

Description: In our L-shaped living room, we wanted our small kids (1 and 4) to play in the corner. The enormous amount of bright colored toys, which had been spread across the floor in the past few years should be stacked into sleek design cabinets which should be out of their reach, it should have little desks to draw their pictures on and little cabinets on wheels for their daily stuff to put into.

When we shopped around all cabinets for kids turned out to be bright colored, funny or otherwise not-sleek and therefore not suitable for our livingroom. I decided to hack the BESTÅ cabinet!

First we mounted one BESTÅ unit to the wall, against the ceiling. Note that the unit is temporarily supported by an old IKEA dresser with additional piles of magazines! It did a very good job.

Than we mounted a room-high MDF plate, mounted a second shelfunit (again with the help of the old dresser) and a second room-high MDF plate. Plates were mounted with lots of glue and a single screw.

Just for the look of it we thickened the plates by glueing extra plates on both sides of the room-high MDF plates. And to be sure the cabinets would not fall on our children's heads we put an extra rod underneath the first cabinet.

I sawed two little desks, mounted small bars underneath and screwed the bars against the plates. We sanded the plates and painted them white.

Eight doors were attached that opened by clicking (BESTÅ press-and-open! Superb!).

The two small BESTÅ cabinets got a drawer and 4 castors each and were shoved under the desks. Two KRITTER chairs completed the new play-centre.

We are very happy with the result, although I must say that a tidy play-centre still seems to be a matter of discipline.... !

~ Janine