IKEA BESTA Spare Parts: Hinges, Legs and Supports Without Getting the Generation Wrong

A push-open hinge that no longer holds the door. A broken leg. A shelf support that cannot be found in store. BESTA is a robust modular system, but its replacement parts hide a trap that many discover too late: there are two generations, and they are not interchangeable.

---

What You Really Have at Home: BESTA Variants

Before looking for anything, identify your configuration. BESTA comes in two main depths and two standard heights.

The base cabinets measure 60 x 20 x 64 cm (low version, ideal for a TV cabinet) or 60 x 40 x 64 cm (deep version, for upright storage). They can be stacked, combined side by side, fixed to the wall or placed on legs.

The doors are available in three main types:

• Push-open doors: no handle, you push to open. The mechanism is integrated into the hinge.
• Soft-close doors: visible handle, closure cushioned by the hinge.
• Glass doors: wood or aluminum frame with glass, same hinge system as solid doors.

The finishes include matte white, gray-beige, bleached or natural oak effects, and dark brown-black. The finish does not affect the compatibility of the hinges. The generation of the cabinet, however, does.

---

The Trap of Incompatibility Between Generations of BESTA Cabinets

This is the crucial point. And the main source of frustration when ordering.

Around 2018-2020, IKEA revised the BESTA system in depth. The cabinets underwent internal modifications: position and diameter of the hinge fixing points. Result: two generations that look alike from the outside, but whose hardware is not interchangeable.

If your BESTA dates from before this period, the hinges sold today on the IKEA website may not fit your cabinets. The screws fall into the void. The plates do not align.

How to identify your generation?

• Find the article number on the old box or on the original assembly instructions.
• Examine the inside of the cabinet: older models have metal inserts, newer ones have pre-drilled holes positioned differently.
• If in doubt, take a clear photo of the inside of the cabinet with the old hinge still in place. This is your best reference before ordering.

---

The 4 Parts That Fail First on BESTA

1. The push-open hinge (#117685 / #117877 / #117878)

This is the number one failure on BESTA with doors without handles. The mechanism relies on an integrated spring. Over time, this spring loses its tension. The door opens but no longer stays closed: it bounces back or sags slightly.

Replacing the entire hinge is the only durable solution. Adjusting the tension screws can temporarily compensate. A tired spring always ends up giving way.

There are two types of push-open hinges for BESTA, incompatible with each other: the model for a single door and the model for a double door on combined cabinets. Check your configuration before ordering.

2. The soft-close hinge (#113287 / #116637)

The soft-close hinge is more robust than the push-open. It suffers from a different defect: the damping system gradually becomes misaligned. The door starts to slam, or remains ajar without closing completely.

First step: the adjustment screws on the plate allow you to adjust the lateral and vertical play. Before ordering a part, tighten these screws and readjust the alignment. If the door is warped or the cabinet is distorted, the adjustment will not be sufficient.

Order the complete kit rather than the hinge alone: hinge, mounting plate, fixing screws and plate screws.

3. Shelf supports (#115443 / #115444)

The small plastic pegs that hold the adjustable shelves inside the cabinets. They break cleanly during a move and easily disappear.

BESTA uses supports specific to the range. Universal supports sold in hardware stores do not work. The diameter of the holes in the BESTA cabinets does not correspond to any market standard.

4. Keyhole wall fixing bracket (#103693)

If your BESTA is mounted high up, it is fixed to the wall via a specific bracket in the shape of a keyhole. It serves both as a fixing and an anti-tipping device.

Losing or damaging it makes the furniture unstable. This is a safety part, not an accessory. If you have children or if the furniture exceeds 100 cm in height, this fixing is mandatory.

---

Soft-close or push-open BESTA: how not to confuse the hinges

The two types look physically similar but are mechanically incompatible. To identify yours without disassembly: open the door and look. Push-open = no visible handle. Soft-close = handle or button present.

Criterion	Soft-close	Push-open
Opening	Handle or button	Pressure on the door
Closing	Damped, silent	By integrated spring
Typical failure	Damping misalignment	Loss of spring tension
Repairable?	Often yes, by adjustment	Rarely — replacement recommended
Common reference	#113287 / #116637	#117685 / #117877 / #117878

---

FAQ

My BESTA doors sag and no longer stay closed. What should I do first?
Start with the adjustment screws on the hinge plates. Three screws allow you to adjust the door in three axes. If the play persists, the spring or damper is worn: replace the hinge.

Can I mount recent BESTA doors on an old cabinet?
Not always. The new doors are designed for the new hinges, which are in turn designed for the new cabinets. On a cabinet from before 2018, check that the fixing points correspond. If in doubt, bring a photo of the inside of the cabinet to your IKEA store.

Are the BESTA shelf supports compatible with other IKEA furniture?
No. Each IKEA range has its own hole diameters. The BESTA supports (#115443 / #115444) only work on BESTA cabinets.

My BESTA is fixed to the wall but it moves. Is this dangerous?
Yes, if the furniture exceeds 60-70 cm in height. Check that the keyhole bracket (#103693) is correctly screwed into a stud or a plug suitable for the wall. Re-doing the wall fixing is a priority over any other repair.

How many hinges are needed per BESTA door?
Two hinges per standard door. For large 128 cm doors on stacked cabinets, count three hinges. IKEA sells hinges in sets of two — check the quantity before ordering.

Sources:
- BESTÅ soft closing/push-open hinge — IKEA France
- BESTÅ soft closing/push-open hinge — IKEA US
- IKEA BESTA Hinge Set — FurnitureParts.com