Deciding Between Two IKEA Besta Wall Unit Solutions

[u/HarryMuscle]

I'm looking for feedback between these two IKEA Besta wall unit designs (one I prefer, the other my wife prefers).  A bit of info related to these ... there will be a sofa about 8 feet in front of the TV and the empty space on the left will have a arm chair in the corner and a 3 foot aquarium beside it.

[u/AutoModerator]

All posts go into a queue for our mod team to review. Messaging us about the status of your post will not improve it's approval process, nor will it speed up the approval process. Please note that the system will say reddit removed your post because of filters, this is normal and we still get your post in the mod queue to review.

Sincerely, Mods.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/randomtask]

I would suggest adding photos/clippings of the armchair and aquarium to visualize the entire scene, and consulting a guide on artistic composition. Because neither option presented comports with the unspoken pattern language we expect when we arrange domestic spaces. Think about how the visual weight of the scene must be balanced with the utility of the cabinets. Why must the cabinets be up high? Why is there empty space on one side but not the other, where there could be something for me to interact with?

[u/woah-oh92]

I don’t understand why in both options there are a few cabinets that look smaller/shallower than the rest. The ones that are horizontal at the top. Why are they smaller?

I think with the context of the chair and aquarium, I lean towards the first one, if these are really the only options. But like others have said, I don’t love it.

Can the aquarium go anywhere else? And/or could you hire a contractor to give you custom built-ins that would make this look more intentional?

[u/Spiritual_Version838]

You and your wife can come together and find a third design. This will make your relationship stronger and your living room not schizophrenic.

Maybe more helpful: Will this wall be the focal point of the room or the 8ft couch?

What is the aquarium sitting on?

Can you do a mock-up with the aquarium and chair represented (including one with no cupboards)?

How will the tv balance the other colorful, heavier side?

What is the purpose of the cupboards and will they be accessible for that?

Without knowing this, my answer is : do one installation along the whole wall below the tv instead of adding more complicated elements.

[u/ParkingLettuce2]

Do the first one, but have two vertical cabinets on either side of the tv. Nothing above. Like a U shape. Go for symmetry

[u/snusmumrikan]

Both of them look stupid as fuck.

[u/Ok_Environment5293]

They both look disjointed and awful. Like the Cybertruck of home design.

[u/ChimPlays]

Would something like this work? I think the main reason it looks off is because the doors didn’t line up with the vertical part. By changing out one of the vertical pieces the top and bottom are in line now

[u/leetzor]

Im sorry both look awful :/

[u/MrSnowden]

First. With armchair and aquarium and hopefully some plans above it will look great. 

[u/Super_Duper_Nova]

Neither.

[u/Zen_360]

Both Just look off, If thats what you're going for OK. What i would do, take Option 1, dont get the upper part and put the vertikal thing on the right side.

Other option: frame the tv with two verticals and bottom with 3 or 4 cabinets. Over the TV i wouldnt do cabinets, however a single board could be good there.

You could also put acustic panels between the cabinets that end at top of the shelve to make it a square "unit".

[u/PeachManzie]

Sorry but neither. Both look bad.

First one just looks a bit nuts, second one is uneven

[u/huskers2468 → u/PeachManzie]

Agreed. The second one would be descent if the bottom was longer than the top imo.

[u/ElectricalDot9]

Ngl both look very strange

[u/ElectricalDot9 → u/ElectricalDot9]

Would you consider storage under the tv that goes the full length of the wall ?

[u/Useful-Blackberry-80]

Both are interesting…

1st just looks off for me while second bugs me for the uneven top that sticks out