Brilliant IKEA BESTÅ Hacks To Take Your Home Storage To The Next Level

IKEA's BESTÅ line is popular for its minimalist and sleek style that can blend seamlessly with almost any space. One major benefit of the line's simple design is that each piece is ultra-hackable. Whether you're looking to create unique floating storage around the house or fake the look of bespoke built-ins, BESTÅ units are the perfect base for your DIY project. We've rounded up some IKEA BESTÅ hacks to help you create furniture and storage that's perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, home office spaces, and more.

The IKEA BESTÅ hacks on this list include some ideas to turn one of these units into something new, as well as projects to update their appearance. IKEA sells a range of products in the BESTÅ line, from no-frills wall-mounted storage cabinets to best-selling IKEA entertainment stands. It's possible to buy BESTÅ basic storage units and match them with a range of IKEA doors and drawer fronts if you want to personalize your order. Or, you can browse predesigned combinations on the IKEA website that can help you achieve some of these BESTÅ hacks. Create and customize some stylish home storage with the hacks ahead.

Don't overlook IKEA's own customization options for the BESTÅ line — the brand encourages customers to take advantage of this unit's flexibility. Use the BESTÅ planner to create your own layout, but you can mock up more than just the usual storage cabinet or TV stand. You can also make unexpected things like nightstands by playing around with its features. For instance, to create one, you just need a BESTÅ frame, a single drawer that will go on the bottom, and a veneer of your choice.

BESTÅ TV benches are a popular pick because of their varied design options and ultra-clean look. The wall-mounted picks look particularly sleek. If you have a large living room wall, make the TV unit a décor focal point by installing several wall-mounted cabinets side-by-side. When lined up properly, it looks like one extra-long unit, instead of several placed together. Long units usually clock in around $1,000 or higher due to the amount of feet they span, but this DIY will only cost around $500. 

Using matching BESTÅ TV units offers a polished look, as shown in the example above. But what if you want a little more oomph to your setup? Play with different sizes instead. This photo shows how a small height difference creates a whole new look when putting two BESTÅ units together. This is a great option if you like an offset look. Use the BESTÅ TV unit and this BESTÅ wall-mounted cabinet combination (both with LAPPVIKEN doors) to recreate the layout in this photo.

There's a very easy way to add more storage to a wall-mounted BESTÅ: Use storage bins. Specifically, buy bins or baskets that fit perfectly in the space between the cabinet and the floor. When they line up flush like in this photo, it looks extra neat while also hiding the miscellany inside each bin. This is a great kid-friendly idea, too. Little ones can slide the bins out to access toys and (fingers crossed) place them back inside. This hack requires very little effort but adds lots of hidden storage. BESTÅ units are 14½ inches deep, so look for baskets with matching dimensions, like the Westerly handwoven baskets from Amazon. 

There are various IKEA home office desk hacks you can pull off by adding an IKEA tabletop to a set of cabinets. One such combination is with BESTÅ cabinets. You can use two matching BESTÅ units. It's also possible to mix and match cabinets, as @thesefourwallsblog shows in this video. They used a BESTÅ cabinet (this storage combination with doors) and an ALEX drawer unit since they were tight on space. Just keep in mind that if you choose two different units, you might have to make some alterations for height.

With an extra-long tabletop (or a few matching tabletops, cut to size and placed end-to-end), you can create this lengthy, modern-looking desk. It uses wall-mounted BESTÅ cabinets on each side. You can install these lower on the wall to make a kid-friendly play table like in the photo. Attach the tabletop in place to make sure it doesn't shift. Also, pay mind to the weight capacity of the BESTÅ units to make sure the tabletop (and any activities upon them) don't exceed its limit. Alternatively, you can use a floor-standing BESTÅ cabinet.

One major reason why BESTÅ units are so popular is because of their flexibility — with some careful installation, they can even look like built-ins. We love this TV unit idea. It's possible to install several wall-mounted cabinets together to make wall shelving that looks custom. Alternatively, you can start with the BESTÅ TV storage combination and personalize it for your space. For example, in this video from @petanikelphotography, they leave many of the cabinets open, and then use the HANVIKEN door on the closed sections for a more traditional aesthetic.

You don't need to use the above nook setup for a TV — you can fill that space with anything you want. Use paintings, photos, and other decorations to make the empty space feel more artistic. Just keep in mind that if you want to use it as a seating bench or reading nook, you will need to reinforce the bottom section. The BESTÅ cabinets are made of particleboard, so they're not the most sturdy. You can modify this IKEA BESTÅ built-in window seat to create the base for a reading nook, and then install the other cabinets around it. 

With flexible layout options and lots of interior space, a BESTÅ unit is a great choice for creating extra entryway storage that will reduce clutter. This photo shows another way to incorporate a nook and make the BESTÅ look built-in, installing the cabinets around a central storage and seating area. Use the empty nook space for hanging coats by installing a clothes rail. Or, you can install shelves and a mirror in this space instead. Closed BESTÅ cabinets keep entryway clutter hidden, and you can use the visible storage area to hang your favorite outerwear and accessories.

There's lots of opportunity for creativity when deciding a BESTÅ wall layout, and this photo from @cristina_dolcini shows another way you can arrange your cabinets. This TV unit installation incorporates different heights along the bottom for visual interest, but also has units across the top. However, unlike the previous nook ideas, they don't join on either side. This makes the layout feel more open and modern, rather than traditional. The minimalist finish of the smooth LAPPVIKEN doors and wooden tabletop add a contemporary feel.

This is a hack that's subtly showcased in a few ideas on this list, but we want to give it its own moment in the spotlight. Consider mixing closed and open BESTÅ storage cabinets. This can add a lot of visual interest to the overall layout, as well as let you keep some items on display. As we've mentioned, there are lots of IKEA BESTÅ door designs to choose from on the site. If you use the BESTÅ planner to design the layout, you can buy cabinets without doors, so you don't need to spend money on doors you won't use.

If you prefer the look of closed cabinets (or if you just have too much stuff for open storage) you can also add more visual interest to your setup by mixing and matching different styles of BESTÅ doors. This is a low-effort way to add character and update a plain IKEA cabinet. Again, IKEA has lots of styles to choose from. As an example, this photo uses a HEDEVIKEN door and LAXVIKEN door to achieve a modern but cozy feel.

An alternative to open cabinets is glass doors. These allow you to have closed storage, while also keeping some items in view. IKEA sells several stylish glass doors for BESTÅ cabinets. The SINDVIK glass door is the plainest version and the GLASSVIK door is similar but with a smoked glass front. The OSTVIK glass door has some more traditional detailing if the these former options are too plain. Lastly, if you want to keep contents mostly hidden, the FÄLLSVIK door has a reeded glass front that looks extra elegant.

This idea from @victoriahollyinteriors shows another way that BESTÅ cabinets can be totally transformed. Again, these cabinets look like gorgeous built-ins when they're mounted on a wall. There's a small gap of space between the upper and lower cabinets. To give the display even more character, they used oak wood and created a fashionable nook. This idea is a great alternative to an entire wall of storage, offering something unexpected. The project looks more custom, allows for styling opportunities, and the nook is narrow, so you won't lose too much storage space. 

If you have an existing IKEA BESTÅ cabinet you want to upgrade, this is one way to do so. IKEA does sell a door option that looks somewhat similar: The BJÖRKÖVIKEN door has a textured wood front. But if this doesn't quite match what you have in mind, you can DIY your own fluted doors with half dowels. While you can get lengths at most hardware stores, Amazon sometimes has better deals, such as this 50-pack of split wood dowels for $71.49.  If you're after a custom look, this unfinished wood is also easier to prime and paint compared to an IKEA cabinet door.

Adding new legs and door pulls is one of the easiest ways to customize a BESTÅ cabinet, whether it's a new buy or an old one that you want to upgrade. IKEA sells a handful of BESTÅ leg options, but you can also shop from your local home goods stores (this is also a great place to browse door pulls). Metal legs offer a nice contrast to the wood-like finish of BESTÅ cabinets, and matching door pulls tie the whole look together. In this video from @schmatherine, they use metal legs from Pretty Pegs, which are designed to update IKEA furniture.

A tabletop can upgrade the look of an IKEA BESTÅ unit, and with the right materials, it can make it look more expensive. Not to mention, a topper can help protect the cabinet itself from scratches and stains. IKEA actually sells some BESTÅ top panels since this is such a popular idea. Opt for a faux marble finish to get the same aesthetic as this video. You can cover an IKEA top panel or a cut-to-size plank of wood with marble contact paper. Offset it for a modern vibe like in this video (making sure to also anchor the plank in place so it doesn't fall off the cabinet).

Install LED light strips behind or under your BESTÅ unit as another very easy way to elevate its look. We especially love this idea for a BESTÅ TV unit, particularly on the bottom of wall-mounted ones, since it can make your living room feel extra cozy. A plug-in LED light strip like the Govee RGBIC LED strip lights will do the trick for this DIY. This LED light strip is easy to install because of the adhesive backing, and it's smart too, so you can control the lights right from your phone.

In this video from @xomyhome, they cleverly turn a BESTÅ unit into an expensive credenza dupe. All it took was some pine boards and fluted trim. This is a more hands-on project: It requires cutting the boards at mitered corners to get a clean fit. This means a circular saw is necessary for large boards. However, new DIYers can recreate a similar table with smaller planks, attached together to create a tabletop and sides. It's possible to cut these smaller planks at an angle with a miter box and hand saw, like this Stanley Hand Saw with Mitre Box set.

We love the popular hack to transform an IKEA bench into a hidden litter box. You can use a floor-standing BESTÅ cabinet for this type of project. BESTÅ units are made of particleboard, so they're pretty easy to cut. Start with a cabinet that fits your cat's litter box. Then, cut a hole into the side that's large enough for cats to come in and out. Installing a cat door in the hole is optional. If the entrance is hidden, you might not need one. But if it's in view, it definitely makes the project look more finished (and helps contain smells too).

Combine BESTÅ cabinets and BILLY shelves to recreate this stylish TV unit. If you don't love the look of BESTÅ-only entertainment consoles, this is an option to consider. The tall BILLY bookcases are shallower than the cabinet, offering a different look than similar BESTÅ combinations. Security is important here though: Make sure to attach the upper unit to the wall for safety. Also keep weight limits in mind and make sure the bookshelf is not putting too much weight on the wall-mounted cabinet below.

This video from @olivegreyavenue shows how to turn a few BESTÅ shelf units with doors into a cozy window seat. You will need to build framing for the project. The BESTÅ is made of particle board so it's not really strong enough to sit on it as-is. This project just uses different lengths of 2-by-4-inch planks and 1-by-4-inch planks to make the frame, then plywood for the bench top. Anyone who feels comfortable cutting and screwing together 2-by-4s should be able to build this! The door customizations are optional: You can leave them as-is and have the doors open horizontally. 

Turn your IKEA BESTÅ cabinets into a floating bar that's sure to impress guests. This video from @alexisjuliaa really makes the best of basic wall-mounted BESTÅ units. They essentially just install a shallower unit on top of a deep one, which creates two nooks to store beverage bottles and accessories, plus a small surface to prepare drinks. We really like the idea of using a glass door on the top section to display glassware. If you have the space, you could even use this IKEA EKBY vanity hack to create a countertop with drawers to the side.