IKEA Hack: How I Utilised Wasted Space and Built my Window Seat with BESTA units. (Copy)

Our BESTA Ikea hack window seat.

I’m constantly searching for storage options which have multiple functions. Window seats are the epitome of excellent furniture design. They provide storage, seating, beauty, and function. Window seats are romanticised features- the perfect spot for curling up with a book or taking a daytime nap. With two toddlers neither is something I will be doing for years. In fact, I have barely had a chance to sit on it for more than a moment since building it! A girl can dream.

Why did I decide to build a window seat in my living room?

The nook where I built the window seat at one end of my living room.

My living room presented some difficulties when I was designing the space. The room is an elongated rectangle. Our living room is far too long for just one zone or purpose- I knew the space would need to be subtly divided into two areas for use as multiple purposes. The zones that were practical for us would be a conversational seating area/ TV viewing area and a play area for the kids. However, I wanted both spaces to be able to appear “grown up” when the toys are away, since this is our main living room and we would not have a separate play room.

The zone for play at the front of the room contained a large window. However, there was a small vertical stack in the corner which moved the window slightly off centre of the room. The stack made the area slightly awkward. I immediately envisioned a window seat in this space, and I knew this was the route I needed to go down so I began researching ways we could build the seat.

What options were there for building my own seat?

The space for the window seat was large- 9 feet wide. Most sofas are only 6 to 7 feet wide so I knew having something built for us would be quite expensive. So, I found a few less expensive options. The first I considered was a custom built drawer bench that could slide into the space from an Etsy shop I found. Then I came across Besta banquette seat hacks on Pinterest. Ultimately, the Ikea hack would require more work but cost less. I decided to proceed with creating a window seat using Besta units!

I found a few DIYers who had completed this project before, however I knew I would need to customise my project plan to my space. I also found that a few of the hacks were not as structurally fortified as I wanted my seat to be. With this seat being located in a play area I wanted to ensure it could withstand my children jumping and climbing on it. So, I took inspiration from a few Besta projects I found and started planning this seat.

What are BESTA units?

Single Besta Drawer Frames I used within the framing for the seat.

Besta is a modular storage system. Ikea sells a variety of Besta pieces which can be assembled to become TV cabinets, wall mounted storage, buffets, etc. The BESTA units can be either cupboards or drawers and can be purchased as single units, double units, or more depending on space and needs. The units can further be customised with a variety of door designs- from simple slab fronts, to shaker style doors. There are many options when it comes to designing BESTA furniture which is why they are a great option for Ikea hacks.

Since I was looking to incorporate as much structural integrity as possible, I did not want to use the BESTA pieces to provide any load-bearing support. BESTA units alone are not designed to bear much weight with the exception of décor and some storage. IKEA furniture (with the exception of furniture that is made for sitting or sleeping on) is known to go wonky over time, and the MDF that is used and the way the furniture is built is not conducive to heavier weight- or toddler jumping. I have, however, completed many IKEA projects and hacks, and with adjustments and added support they can last a long time. I therefore couldn’t just build the BESTA units as is, place on the floor with a cushion on top and call it a day.

How is the BESTA window seat designed to provide structural support?

The added rear support behind the bench.

I used 2x4’s to provide structural support for the window seat. In order to achieve the most structural integrity and the look I was after- using four single BESTA drawer units is what I opted for. By using single drawers, I could place a 2x4 vertical support between each unit underneath the bench of the window seat. Therefore, when someone is sitting on the bench, the weight is carried by the 2x4’s, not the drawer units.

I created a base structure out of the wood that the units would sit on top of. I then secured 2x4’s between each Besta unit in the front and the back of the units. My window seat space was deeper than the 40cm deep Besta drawers so I created an additional wood support at the rear of the seat, against the wall and under the window.

I added a bench of plywood to the top of the seat and attached the wood structure to the walls in multiple places. Using the plywood and securing the seat further fortified the structure.

How did I transform the seat to look “built in”?

In order to completely disguise this seat as something that looks bespoke I used wood strips to finish the piece. The wood strips were placed on the front of the 2x4’s so they were flush with the front of the drawer doors. This gives the piece an illusion of being in-frame, and I think makes the seat seem slightly more professional.

Wood strips added to the front of the build to give the illusion of an in-frame cabinet.

Would you like to try building this window seat? It would look great as banquette seating, boot room storage in an entryway, or as added seating/storage in a living room like mine! Receive the tutorial for free via the below form!

The final result being used as toy storage and an indoor playground- its usual state!