That row of BESTÅ cabinets lining your living room wall looks exactly like every other flat in Britain - because it is exactly the same. IKEA sells thousands of BESTÅ units every month, and while the carcasses are brilliantly functional, the standard door fronts scream flat-pack. The good news is you do not need to replace them. A set of custom overlay panels can turn a basic BESTÅ run into a built-in media wall that looks like it cost thousands, and the whole project can be finished in a single afternoon.
Why BESTÅ Is the Perfect Candidate for an Overlay Hack
The BESTÅ system was designed to be modular. Units come in standardised widths (60 cm and 120 cm) and depths (20 cm and 40 cm), which makes them remarkably easy to measure for custom fronts. The carcasses themselves are sturdy MDF with a clean edge, so an overlay panel sits flush against the face without any awkward gaps or shimming.
More importantly, BESTÅ units are cheap. A three-cabinet run with standard white doors costs roughly £180 to £250 depending on configuration. A full bespoke media unit from a joiner, by contrast, can easily run between £2,000 and £5,000 before you even think about paint or hardware. Overlay panels sit neatly in the middle - you keep the affordable carcass and swap only the visible surface for something that actually reflects your taste.
Choosing a Style That Suits Your Space
This is where the transformation gets exciting. Overlay panels come in a range of profiles and finishes, so you can steer your BESTÅ wall in almost any design direction:
- Shaker-profile panels - a timeless routed frame that works in both traditional and transitional living rooms. Pair with brushed brass cup handles for a warm, classic look.
- Modern handleless (J-pull or push-to-open) - ideal for minimalist spaces where you want the media wall to feel like architecture rather than furniture. Clean lines, no visible hardware.
- Fluted or ribbed panels - one of the biggest interior trends in the UK right now. Vertical fluting adds texture and depth, turning a flat BESTÅ run into a statement feature.
- Plain slab with a premium finish - sometimes simplicity wins. A slab panel in a rich colour like deep olive, navy, or warm taupe elevates the unit without competing with the rest of the room.
When choosing your finish, think about what surrounds the unit. If your living room has warm wood flooring and neutral walls, a tonal panel in an earthy shade will look intentional and cohesive. If you want the media wall to be the focal point, go bolder - a contrasting colour or textured panel draws the eye immediately.
How to Measure Your BESTÅ Units for Overlay Panels
Accurate measurements are the difference between a seamless result and visible gaps. Here is a straightforward process:
- Measure each door opening individually. Even if you bought identical units, wall fixings and slight manufacturing tolerances can create 1-2 mm differences. Measure width and height at three points - top, middle, and bottom for width; left, centre, and right for height.
- Decide on your overlay margin. A standard overlay panel extends roughly 2-3 mm beyond the carcass edge on each side, giving a clean shadow line between doors. Your panel supplier will confirm the recommended overlap for their product.
- Account for any integrated lighting or cable management. If you are running LED strips along the top of the units or threading cables through the back for a mounted television, note where cutouts or clearance gaps are needed before ordering.
Take photographs of the full run from the front and from the side. These are invaluable if you need to discuss your setup with a panel supplier before placing your order.
Installation: Simpler Than You Think
Most overlay panels attach with the same 35 mm cup hinges that BESTÅ doors already use, so swapping fronts is genuinely a drill-and-click job. Remove the existing door, transfer the hinge positions onto the new panel (or use pre-drilled panels if your supplier offers them), bore the 35 mm hinge cup recess with a Forstner bit, and clip the new door onto the existing hinge plate.
If you are switching to push-to-open mechanisms or adding new handles, the only extra step is drilling handle holes - a simple template and a sharp bit keep things precise. The entire swap for a three-unit run typically takes between one and three hours, depending on your confidence with a drill.
What This Costs Versus the Alternatives
Here is a rough comparison for a typical three-unit BESTÅ media wall in a UK living room:
- BESTÅ with standard IKEA doors: £180 - £250
- BESTÅ with custom overlay panels: £350 - £600 (depending on style, finish, and supplier)
- Bespoke joinery media unit: £2,000 - £5,000+
You are spending a fraction of the bespoke price and getting a result that, once mounted and styled, is virtually indistinguishable from a custom build. For renters, the appeal is even greater - the BESTÅ carcasses can be returned to their original doors when you move out, and the overlay panels travel with you to your next home.
If you have been staring at a wall of plain white BESTÅ doors and imagining something better, custom overlay panels are the fastest route from flat-pack to bespoke. The Upscale Collection specialises in made-to-measure overlay panels designed to fit IKEA units and standard UK cabinetry, with a range of styles, colours, and finishes to suit any living space. Browse the full range at theupscalecollection.co.uk and see how simple it is to get the look you actually want.
