Transform IKEA Besta into Seamless Built-In Storage

Want to turn Ikea Besta cabinets into custom built-ins? We used three simple hacks to make our Bestas read like higher-end storage without the hefty price. The result is extra concealed storage and added architectural detail in our bedroom.

Built-in storage is useful anywhere, especially in smaller homes like ours. Over the years we’ve added built-in Pax closets to our bedroom, a custom desk and bookcase in our son’s room, and a wall-to-wall media cabinet in our family room. So when the recessed areas beside our fireplace needed attention, built-ins were the obvious choice.

Why Choose Ikea Bestas?

The fireplace sits directly across from our bed and has symmetrical recessed areas that begged for purpose. After moving in we tried random furniture, but the space clearly called for a more cohesive solution. Ikea’s 47″ Besta cabinet matched the 50″ opening on one side almost perfectly and, with basic legs, fit nicely under the window heights. They were a smart, affordable starting point for built-ins.

We actually bought the cabinets in late 2020 and used them as simple storage at first. They weren’t built-ins yet, but even as stand-alone pieces they solved a storage problem while we focused on updating the fireplace. Over the next year we refined the details to make them read as custom.

How We Hacked Our Ikea Bestas

There are countless ways to customize Ikea pieces—paint, trim, hardware, wallpaper—but for these Bestas we focused on three straightforward upgrades that give a built-in look:

1. Install filler trim on the sides
2. Add baseboard treatment
3. Top with a butcher-block countertop

Besta Hack #1: Add Side Filler Pieces

Adding side filler trim closes the gaps between the cabinet and the wall, creating a seamless built-in appearance. The process is simple: cut and attach narrow boards (like 1x2s) to the cabinet side, then add a front-facing trim layer so the profile reads flush with the doors.

Often you’ll use two layers: a back piece fastened to the cabinet box and a front piece that sits flush with the door face. When painted to match—we used a clean white—the filler makes the Besta look like a continuous custom cabinet.

Besta Hack #2: Add Baseboard

To make the cabinets read as part of the room’s architecture, match the existing baseboard and quarter-round trim. We attached our baseboard to the stock block legs that come with the Besta, but that made the baseboard sit slightly proud of the doors. Rather than relocate the legs, we used a thin plywood strip for depth, then added quarter-round and painted everything to match. The result reads like real baseboard at a glance.

Besta Hack #3: Add Counters

Replacing the plain factory top with a butcher-block counter instantly elevates the look. We like a chunky, warm butcher block because it contrasts nicely with white cabinets and complements our floors. We cut the countertop to size with a circular saw and sealed it with cutting board oil to protect the wood and enhance the color.

To secure the top we screwed up through the top panel into the butcher block. The board’s weight helps keep it steady, and the screws prevent any shifting—just be careful not to drive screws through the finished surface.

We also drilled cord holes through the butcher block and the Besta top so lamps can reach the outlet behind the cabinets. After drilling, we capped the holes with brass grommets for a tidy finish. The cords run into the cabinet and rest on a shelf; we cut a small hole in the cabinet back to reach the outlet so everything stays usable yet mostly hidden.

What We Store In Them

These upgraded Bestas transformed our bedroom storage. One cabinet holds miscellaneous items like spare paint and household extras; the other is now our official family game cabinet. The left cabinet stores overflow books, gift wrap, candles, vases, and rotating decor pieces—items we don’t need frequent access to, so reaching into the back is fine for occasional use.

Update: More Ikea Besta Cabinets

Since this project we expanded the Besta run along the rest of the wall, repeating the same straightforward hacks: filler trim, baseboard, and additional countertops. Extending the system unified the room and increased storage even more.

We’re very pleased with the results—these simple, budget-friendly upgrades gave our Bestas a custom, built-in appearance while maximizing storage.

Thanks to the built-in Besta cabinets, storage in this room is both efficient and attractive.

Other Ikea Hack Projects

Want more Ikea hack inspiration? Here are some of our other favorite customizations:

• How to build in Ikea Pax wardrobes
• Creating built-in storage cabinets with Sektion
• Turning an Expedit bookcase into a wood-wrapped piece
• Painting Ikea kitchen cabinets a custom color
• Adding brass and marble to a Vittsjo shelf
• Building a Malm dresser into a nook
• Creating a sleeping nook with Pax wardrobes
• Turning Fjell dressers into floor-to-ceiling bookcases