15 May 2025

Can fronts from other brands be used with the BESTÅ system?

What is the BESTÅ system and why is it so open to personalisation?

BESTÅ is a modular furniture system engineered for maximum flexibility. It consists of simple base cabinets in various sizes, to which you can add doors, legs, and other accessories as you see fit. That makes it equally at home in living rooms, hallways, offices, or bedrooms.

One of BESTÅ’s great advantages is that it allows the use of third-party fronts—as long as they meet certain technical criteria—so you can radically change the look of your furniture without touching its structure.

What requirements must replacement fronts meet?

If you’re wondering whether another brand’s fronts will fit your BESTÅ setup, the key is to match IKEA’s dimensions and mounting standards. IKEA’s most common front sizes are:

• 60 × 38 cm

• 60 × 64 cm

• 38 × 64 cm

Alternative fronts must match one of these formats. They must also be compatible with IKEA’s hinge system—meaning the hinge-hole pattern has to line up with IKEA’s, or you’ll need to drill it yourself, which calls for accuracy and a steady hand.

Where can you buy compatible third-party fronts?

A growing number of companies specialise in custom fronts made for IKEA cabinets. Popular options include:

• FRONTCOVER – wide palette of colours and finishes

• Noremax – minimalist, Scandinavian-style designs

• Plykea – real-wood and veneered fronts for lovers of natural materials

Why choose external fronts?

Third-party fronts give you deeper personalisation:

• Unique style – pick your own colour, texture, and material

• Higher quality – some makers use sturdier or more premium materials than IKEA’s stock fronts

• Greater durability – especially with solid-wood or milled fronts

Bear in mind, however, that IKEA’s warranty no longer applies if you modify BESTÅ with non-IKEA components. Any issues that arise may fall outside standard warranty coverage.

Installing third-party fronts—what to watch for

You must keep to IKEA’s hinge system. If the fronts lack pre-drilled holes, you’ll need to drill them yourself—ideally using an IKEA template or an original front as a guide. Unusual designs (e.g., heavy milling, exotic materials) may also need special screws or hinges. Most suppliers include detailed instructions.

Are alternative BESTÅ fronts worth it?

It depends on your needs. If a one-of-a-kind look is your priority, alternative fronts are a great investment: they combine IKEA’s practical modularity with truly bespoke design. If you’re uneasy about DIY drilling or want to preserve IKEA’s full warranty, stick with the standard fronts.

Thanks to its modular nature and standardised sizing, BESTÅ offers huge scope for personalisation. Swapping in fronts from other brands can turn a solid, functional storage system into a distinctive showpiece—provided you keep to the correct measurements and hinge layout. If you’re craving something beyond the standard range, this route is well worth exploring.