Modern Media Console | IKEA BESTA Hack

Create a modern media console using the IKEA BESTA system! This project is budget-friendly, and you will love the added storage in this wide media console.

Welcome friends, and happy 2020! Not sure about you, but I love the fresh feeling January brings. Putting away the Christmas decor–and let’s be honest, trying to organize all of my kiddos’ new toys!–makes me crave change in our home. Check out my 2020 plans highlight on Instagram to see where we are headed in the next few months. For today, I am excited to share all about our IKEA BESTA modern media console! This post will include a guide to the parts we used, tips for building your cabinets, and simple media console styling ideas 🙂 Here we go!

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Modern Media Console Inspiration

Before we begin, here are a few lovely media consoles that inspired me. In particular, a big THANK YOU to my friend Sheila for sharing her beautiful media console, and for answering all of my questions 🙂 Thanks girl!

IKEA Parts Needed

These are the parts you will need to complete this modern media console:

• BESTA frame (2)
• BESTA support leg (2)
• NANNARP legs (2-pack) (4)*
• HANVIKEN door (4)
• BESTA soft closing/push-open hinges (2-pack) (4)*
• BESTA shelf (4)

*You will need four 2-packs for a total of eight parts.

Total Cost

At the time we completed this project in late 2019, the total cost for all of the parts was $390.

For a price comparison, media consoles with a similar look from CB2, Pottery Barn, and West Elm are $1000, and range from 72-80 inches wide, while our IKEA BESTA media console is 94.5 inches wide.

For us, the IKEA option fit our budget and space perfectly. I also like that if something gets damaged–for example, a door–I can simple purchase a new part rather than having to replace the entire console. Win win!

Pickup Tips

For this project, we used IKEA’s Click and Collect service. It only costs $5, and you receive a $5 IKEA gift card at pickup. The kiddos and I stayed in the car while my husband went inside and picked up our order, which only took about 10 minutes!

Alternatively, you can create a shopping list on the IKEA website to print out (or view on your phone) for use in the store. Simply select “Add to Shopping List” when viewing an item. Then, while viewing your list you may select your local store to confirm that items are in stock and see their location in the warehouse (aisle and bin number).

Building Your Besta Units

My encouragement here is… if I can do it, you can do it!

The BESTA directions were relatively easy to follow. My husband and I built the two frames and installed the legs in an evening. (This console is actually made of two separate cabinets. You could probably attach them if you wanted to, but we kept our separate so they are easier to move around.) The pieces are a bit heavy so having two people is ideal.*

I then attached the hinges, doors, and knobs (I used these ones) myself one afternoon while my daughter napped! Some thoughts:

• Hinges: You must choose whether the hinges will be soft-closing or push-to-open. Since I was planning to add knobs, I selected soft-closing.
• Doors: The trickiest part is aligning the doors so that they hang straight. I read the directions, but also used trial and error 😉 You can also search YouTube for videos!
• Knobs: You will need to drill holes slightly larger than the screws. The doors are easy to drill through.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: If you will be using your BESTA units as a media console like we are, you will need to cut small holes in the backing of the BESTA frames to allow wires to pass through. Of course, use caution! Think about where you will be placing your games systems, etc, and cut a hole near the top or bottom of the backing so that the cords can pass through.

Modern Media Console Styling

And now the best part–styling!

I had so much fun styling our new modern media console after daydreaming about it for a long time. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite pieces below!

Knobs

Lamps

Vases

Greenery

Bowls & Trays

Decorative Objects

Books

I hope you found this post inspiring and helpful! Feel free to leave a question below, or send me a direct message via Instagram for a faster response time. And please tag me if you create your own modern media console–I would love to see it!

XO,