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Underframe for IKEA furniture — is it right for you?
A underframe is the unsung hero of furniture upgrades — a complete frame with legs and cross rails that you mount directly under a cabinet or chest of drawers. Unlike individual furniture legs, a underframe gives the piece a cohesive, built-in look, better stability, and a noticeably higher design quality. In this guide, we explain what a underframe is, when it works better than individual legs, and how to choose the right size and wood.
What is a underframe?
A underframe is a ready-made structure — four legs connected by cross rails — that you mount under a cabinet, chest of drawers, sideboard, or other piece of furniture. It’s essentially a complete furniture frame without the cabinet, and you simply attach your existing piece on top.
The result looks as though the furniture was built from scratch with those exact legs — because that’s precisely what a underframe achieves. It’s the closest you can get to a custom-built furniture look without hiring a carpenter.
Underframe or individual furniture legs — which should you choose?
Both solutions raise a piece of furniture off the floor, but they suit different situations:
Choose individual furniture legs when:
⦁ The furniture already has M8 threaded inserts or leg brackets installed
⦁ You want a light, minimalist look with visible individual legs
⦁ The piece is small — such as a bedside table or a stool
⦁ You want to be able to change the style easily in the future
Choose a underframe when:
⦁ The cabinet has no pre-drilled fixing points for individual legs
⦁ You want a cohesive, solid look — like a piece of built furniture
⦁ The piece is wide (60 cm or more) and needs support along the entire underside
⦁ You’re upgrading an IKEA cabinet such as Bestå, PAX, or Hemnes and want a premium result
⦁ You’re combining multiple cabinets side by side and want them to read as a single unit
Tip: Have a wide IKEA sideboard or TV bench? A underframe is almost always the better choice over individual legs. It provides significantly better stability and a more unified look — especially for pieces 120 cm wide or more.
Choosing the right size underframe
Our underframes are available in a wide range of sizes from 340×340mm up to 1790×380mm. Here’s how to find the right one:
Length
The underframe should be approximately the same width as the cabinet, or slightly narrower — at most 20–30 mm narrower on each side. This looks the most professional and provides the best support. Measure the outer dimensions of your cabinet and choose the nearest available size.
Depth
Most of our underframes are 380mm deep, which matches IKEA’s most common cabinet depth of 400mm. This creates a neatly recessed frame with around 10–20mm of the cabinet edge visible at the front — a deliberate design detail that elevates the piece.
Height
AJKDesign underframes are 100mm high — a well-balanced measurement that lifts the furniture enough to create an airy look and easy cleaning underneath, without making the piece feel unstable or too tall.
Common IKEA dimensions and matching underframe sizes:
⦁ Bestå unit 60cm wide: 590×380mm
⦁ Bestå unit 120cm wide: 1190×380mm
⦁ Bestå TV bench 180cm: 1790×380mm
⦁ Hemnes daybed / sideboard: 1460×380mm or 1790×380mm
⦁ Small cabinet / bedside table: 340×340mm or 400×380mm
How to install a underframe
Installation is straightforward and requires no specialist tools. You’ll need: the underframe, screws (included), a screwdriver, and optionally a drill.
Empty and flip the cabinet: Remove all contents. Place a blanket or rug on the floor and turn the cabinet upside down.
Position the underframe: Place the underframe against the underside of the cabinet. Centre it so it protrudes equally on both sides — or set it back if you prefer. Check that the frame depth aligns correctly with the front edge of the cabinet.
Mark and pre-drill: Mark the screw hole positions with a pencil. Pre-drill with a 2–3mm bit to avoid splitting the material, especially if the cabinet is made from chipboard.
Screw in place: Screw the underframe to the underside of the cabinet. Tighten firmly but without excessive force — chipboard is more sensitive than solid wood. Use screws of the right length: long enough to hold securely, but not so long that they pass through the cabinet base and become visible inside.
Turn upright and check: Flip the cabinet back and place it in position. Check that it stands stable and doesn’t wobble. The underframe legs are adjustable — tighten whichever leg is too short until all four make even contact with the floor.
Our underframes are designed to fit IKEA’s most popular cabinet series — Bestå, Kallax, and similar. The key is choosing the right length and depth. Always measure your cabinet before ordering and compare with the available sizes.
It depends on the cabinet material. Solid wood can often be screwed into directly without pre-drilling. Chipboard — as used in most IKEA furniture — should always be pre-drilled to avoid splitting and to ensure the screws hold properly.
Yes, screws are always included. Get in touch if you’re unsure which screw length suits your specific piece — we’re happy to help you choose the right one.
Yes. Remove the existing plastic feet, or screw them fully inward, before fitting the underframe. The underframe replaces the feet entirely.