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Ikea Besta hack : seating bench perfect for small spaces

This Ikea Besta Hack is an easy DIY that also provides lots of functional storage space. Perfect for small spaces, entryways, mudrooms and kitchens.

The Ikea Besta is a hidden gem among all the IKEA pieces.

It’s big on storage but small in size. It can fit neatly in most spaces, and is sturdy enough for an adult to sit on.

If you have a small area in your home where you can use some extra seating and storage,  this hack is for you!

In this tutorial I will show you how to create this storage seating bench and share some organization ideas on how to use the cubby area to maximize functionality.

Also, if this is your first Ikea Hack this is a good one to start with, since it can be done in an afternoon.

If you’re looking for a bigger banquette style seating/storage bench then check out my IKEA Kallax seating bench hack

Ikea besta hack seating bench for small spaces

Ikea Besta Dimensions and Assembly Directions

The Ikea Besta Frame comes in 3 colors -black, white and walnut/light grey.

Ikea Besta measures  48″ x 15″ (15″ high). 

To make this hack you will need to buy the Besta Frame. Make sure you don’t buy the more expensive version that comes with shelves and doors.

The plain frame is what you’ll need.

Assemble the Besta with the instructions that came with it. You can leave out the last direction which is installing the cable insert organizer since you won’t be using it for a TV stand.

I’ve assembled many Ikea furniture pieces in my life, and this was one of the easiest and quickest ones so far.

IMG_20180510_161444

Once you’ve assembled the Besta, you’re ready to start the “Hack” part.
 
Here’s the rest of the tutorial to turn your Besta TV stand into a seating storage bench. Happy hacking!

Ikea Besta Hack Tutorial

 

DIY Toy storage bench with seating IKEA hack

Materials Needed

  1. Ikea Besta TV stand (just the frame).
  2. High density foam
  3. MDF board. TIP: Home Depot will cut it to your measurements for free
  4. Upholstery material (I used vinyl that can be wiped clean).
  5. Hook and Loop Velcro strips (Dollarstore or WAlmart).
  6. Spray Adhesive Glue
  7. Staple Gun
  8. Optional: Storage baskets to store toys. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Build The Besta

Build the Besta TV stand according to Ikea instructions.

IMG_20180510_161444

 

Step 2: Glue Foam To MDF Board

Using glue or spray adhesive to glue the high density foam to the MDF board. Just as a note, when I was making mine, I was using scraps of foam which I glued together.

MDF and foam glue together

Step 3: Upholster Foam Board with Fabric

Measure and cut the material you want to make the cushion portion out of. I used vinyl as my material because it can wipe clean (I have kids). If you prefer fabric, check out Ikea’s textile section for some funky patterns which are very reasonably priced.

To make sure you’ll be able to have enough material to wrap around the cushion, leave about 5-6 inches of extra material on all sides.

OPTIONAL: You can add an old cotton bed sheet under your cushion upholstery material. The reason I did this is because it adds breath ability layer between the foam and gives a smoother finish. If you want to do this, just measure the bed sheet with the same dimensions as the upholstery material you cut.

Step 4: Staple Fabric to MDF Board

Wrap your upholstery material (along with the optional cotton sheet) around the foam/MDF board. You can choose the style of wrapping you wish.

I have seen some people wrap their material bunched up along the corners, which is nice also and gives a softer look.

I wanted a clean and smoother finish so I decided to wrap the material the same way I would wrap a present. You can take a look at the pictures below to get an idea of how this is done.

For the stapling portion, you will probably need an extra person helping you.

One person will be holding the material tight while the other person staples it to the MDF board. As you can see in the pictures, this step doesn’t have to be perfect!

The staples will be hidden when its placed on top of the Besta.

wrapping and stapling material for banquette

Step 5: Stick Cushion Seat To Bench

Once the cushion is staples together, you will need to stick it to the Besta. If you don’t, when someone sits down on it, it might slide and won’t be safe.

I chose to use Hook and Loop Velcro (You can buy from Walmart or Dollarstore). It’s velcro that has a strong sticky adhesive to it, so it works really well.

Besta toy storage seating bench upholstering

 

Storage ideas for the Ikea Besta Hack Bench

Here are some more Besta ideas you can get creative with:

  • The cubbies in the Besta are fairly large so you can fit a decent sized storage basket in them. I used this Neat Freaks storage basket.
  • You can even check out your local Dollarstore to see if they have any cheap storage baskets -they will most likely fit in Besta’s large cubbies.
  • If your planning on using it in the mudroom or entry way, you might not need any baskets since its a great space to store a few pairs of shoes!
  • You can buy a couple of adjustable Besta shelves from Ikea and use the shelves to store multiple shoes, like in this blog post on a DIY Entryway Shoe Storage bench
  • Ikea sells some baskets specifically for the Besta, they are not deep, but if adding along with a shelf they would work great

IMG_20180510_164105

And voilà, an easy Ikea Besta Hack that you can do in an afternoon! Once you’re done be sure to grab a cup of coffee, sit and enjoy your new seating area and think of all the fun ways you can organize your new storage bench! Good job, you are now an Ikea Hacker (or already one)!

If you want some more Ikea hacks be sure to check out some of my other posts:

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Ikea besta hack seating bench for small spaces

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Karina

Friday 26th of June 2020

Hi. I’m inspired by your BESTA bench hack and planning to make a bigger one (around 180cm, by combining 2 benches of 60cm and 120cm). Do you think it’s sturdy enough to support weight of 2 adults? Because I heard it supports only 15kg per shelf of around 45kgs total. Or do you have any inputs to improve the sturdiness? Thanks!

Gillian

Saturday 3rd of August 2019

Hi! I am looking into cost effective bench seating for my classroom and came across this post. Just wondering about the sturdiness of the Besta cabinet when it comes to sitting on it. Did you reinforce it? Thanks!

Feeling Nifty

Saturday 10th of August 2019

Hey Gillian, The Besta is very sturdy in my opinion. I have had it for over a year now in our home, and both kids and adults have sat on it with no issues. The only reinforcement I did was adding the cushion seat cover that has a thin piece of MDF ( as described in the post). Jasmine

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