Rattan IKEA Besta TV Stand Makeover: Step-by-Step Hack

I wanted a very specific media cabinet for our colorful living room. It needed rattan caning, a playful color, and roomy drawers for toy storage. When I couldn’t find exactly what I had in mind, I turned a plain white IKEA BESTA into a custom emerald storage unit with cane-front drawers. This post explains how I did it and lists the supplies I used so you can recreate it.

Which IKEA BESTA piece should I use?

I used white IKEA BESTA frames in the 15″ height to build a three-section unit. I made drawers because I mostly needed toy storage, but you can use door fronts instead if you prefer cabinets and shelves. You can also adapt the project to a taller 25″ BESTA or add more sections — just adjust material quantities accordingly.

I chose the white frames so I could paint them, but if you like the black finish, the rattan would look great on black BESTA without painting.

Supplies

To recreate this BESTA hack you’ll need the following:

• IKEA BESTA frames (two-section + one-section) and BESTA drawers or cabinet fronts depending on your build
• HANVIKEN drawer/door fronts (3)
• Soft-closing drawer runners (3 sets) if you make drawers
• 3/4″ plywood cut to fit: two smaller pieces and one long top piece
• 1/4″ plywood strips for the interior supports
• Nail gun or drill and wood screws to assemble the plywood frame
• Two 1 1/4″ wood screws to attach the plywood frame to the BESTA unit
• Zinsser BIN primer (about 1 quart)
• Paint of choice (I used a deep green in a velvet finish — estimate one quart, adjust for coats)
• Paint brushes and sandpaper
• Cane webbing (allow at least ~70″ of 18″ width to be safe)
• 1/4″ half-round reed for trimming
• Staple gun and 1/4″ staples
• Quick-drying clear glue (not super glue)
• Sharp scissors
• Drawer pulls and mounting hardware
• Four wood legs (or legs of your choice)

Note: When buying cane webbing in person you can pick the exact tone — rattan darkens over time. If you receive a lighter shade than expected, you can stain the cane to deepen the color.

Tutorial: Rattan IKEA BESTA Makeover

Follow these steps to transform a standard BESTA into a rattan-front media console.

1. Assemble the IKEA BESTA frames and join them into a single three-section unit following IKEA’s instructions. Do not install drawer inserts yet.
2. Build a plywood frame to fit over the assembled BESTA. The plywood frame gives a finished edge and paints more smoothly than the IKEA surfaces. Use wood screws or a nail gun to attach the three plywood pieces so the long top piece sits over the two side pieces. Ensure the frame fits snugly over the BESTA unit.
3. Sand and paint the plywood frame, sanding between coats for a smooth finish. Let it dry completely.
4. Attach the plywood frame to the BESTA unit so it is flush at the back and overlaps the drawer fronts at the front. Secure with two wood screws (one on each side).
5. Remove the center panel from the HANVIKEN drawer fronts. The center insert is thin and can be punched out with a mallet or sharp tool; it simply lifts out of the outer frame.
6. Add wood strips to the shorter inside edges of each opening using wood glue to create a secure channel for attaching the cane webbing. If needed, staple while the glue sets.
7. Prime and sand the drawer frames (both front and back). Allow primer to dry thoroughly and sand smooth.
8. Paint the drawer frames front and back, sanding between coats. (Painting the back creates a cleaner finished look when drawers are opened.)

Working with Cane Webbing

9. Cut and soak the cane webbing. Trim the webbing slightly larger than the opening. Soak it in warm water for about 30 minutes — this softens the cane and allows it to stretch slightly so it’s easier to insert.
10. Attach the webbing. Apply a thin bead of clear glue along the top slit and one side of the frame, push the wet cane into the slot, and hold in place 30–60 seconds until tacky. The webbing will be larger than the opening at first.
11. Trim and insert the remaining sides. Trim excess webbing as needed, glue into the remaining slits, and hold each side until set.
12. Staple the edges with a staple gun along the inner frame to secure the webbing. The staples will be concealed by the reed trim. Allow the webbing to dry completely — it will tighten and become taut as it dries.
13. Glue on the half-round reed trim. Cut reed pieces to size and miter the ends at 45 degrees to form neat corners. Glue the reed over the stapled edge to cover staples and create a finished look. Let the adhesive dry.
14. Reattach drawer fronts to the drawer boxes and complete assembly per IKEA instructions. Since the interior hardware and drawer boxes remain standard, follow IKEA steps for installing runners and drawer components.
15. Add hardware and legs. Install drawer pulls or knobs and attach legs according to their instructions. Your rattan-front BESTA is finished.

Cost Breakdown

Approximate costs for this project:

• IKEA items: $240
• Rattan supplies: $66
• Building supplies (wood, screws, staples, etc.): $112
• Legs and hardware: $120

Total: about $538. You can reduce costs by choosing cabinet doors instead of drawers, using simpler legs or hardware, or sourcing scrap plywood.

Similar rattan consoles on the market often cost $500–$1500+, but this DIY lets you choose color, size, and details to match your space.

What Fits Inside?

The BESTA drawers are quite deep. We store board games, puzzles, kids’ toys, flash cards, and other educational supplies. If you prefer enclosed shelving for media devices like game consoles or cable boxes, use doors instead of drawers and add an internal shelf.

Photos by Jeff Mindell

I’m thrilled with how this BESTA hack turned out — it gave us a custom, colorful piece that suits our home perfectly. If you try this project, snap a photo and share it on Instagram — I’d love to see your version.