A proper foyer or an alternative like a mudroom makes coming and going much easier. Just kick off your shoes, hang your coat, or drop your bag without cluttering your living room. It’s nice to have, so you’re not always aware of the chaos happening by your front door.
But what if you don’t have a dedicated entry hall? Well, you make one, of course! JulesButNotVerne (Reddit), inspired by Vitsoe shelving, created a freestanding partition near their door using IKEA BESTÅ units (at a fraction of the cost).
The structure provides separation from the rest of the room, includes a landing space for shoes, and masks the front entrance. The hacker also faced the added challenge of working with a sloped ceiling. Their solution was aluminum poles at varied heights to create the finished piece and give it a cohesive, built-in look.
What You’ll Need
- 3 IKEA BESTÅ cabinets
- 6 IKEA BESTÅ doors
- 6 LAPPVIKEN drawer fronts (used as shelves)
- 4 40-series extruded aluminum poles
- M8 x 30mm bolts and T-nuts
- 6 pre-cut 60cm poles
- 8 M8 threads
- 90-degree angle brackets
- 8 Screw-in leveling feet
Design an Entry Zone Using IKEA BESTÅ Cabinets as a Partition
1. Prep the BESTÅ
Assemble the BESTÅ cabinets according to IKEA’s instructions. Install the doors, then attach the extra doors to the back of the units so they look finished from both sides.
2. Install the Feet
Tap the M8 threads into the ends of each aluminum pole, then screw in the feet.
3. Add the Poles and Shelves
The meat and potatoes of this hack are definitely the aluminium poles. Attach three precut 60cm poles under each cabinet using angle brackets (inside and outside the cabinets) for support.
The other three 60cm poles are below three of the LAPPVIKEN drawer fronts (used as bottom shelves for shoes). Attach these with angle brackets below. Likewise, attach the upper shelves to the vertical poles using angle brackets.
On the sides of each cabinet, drill two holes, centered front to back, approximately 2.5 inches from the top and bottom of the cabinet. Attach the vertical poles using M8 x 30mm bolts and T-nuts. The T-nuts slide into the track, keeping things adjustable.
4. Make Things Secure
The hacker drilled holes into the feet and screwed into the subfloor and, as they put it, “a conveniently located truss above.” Depending on your unit’s placement, you may need special anchors to secure it properly.
Is There an IKEA Product Similar to This?
If you’re thinking IKEA has something similar to this, you’re right. One of the commenters even brought it up in the thread. IKEA’s ELVARLI shelving system has a similar design, with adjustable posts.
However, the hacker notes that the system doesn’t work with the sloped ceiling and that they no longer sell the cabinets, so they opted to make their own using BESTÅ.
Plus, even this design is a prototype. The creator says they’re planning to commission or make plywood cabinets and shelves based on the BESTÅ dimensions.
It Always Looks so Easy!
Admittedly, these glimpses at phenomenal IKEA hacks make them look super easy (and some of them are). However, others certainly take some time, patience, and skill. If you want to tackle this hack but need a little more guidance, the original creator is happy to help. Make sure to check out their hack and PM them if you have any questions.
Ready to show off your IKEA recreation or have a DIY project you’re super proud of? We want to see it! Share your hack—it might be exactly what others need to make their spaces special.
