Alternative to IKEA Bestå: The Modular Wall Unit Set MODICA

February 3, 2026

The modular wall unit set MODICA is a flexible furniture system consisting of combinable carcases, fronts, and shelving that acts as a customisable alternative to rigid wall units. By separating base elements from custom extensions, this system allows precise adaptation to available space and personal storage requirements. For DIY enthusiasts and home assemblers, the modular approach offers the advantage of straightforward step-by-step assembly, enabling the furniture to be reconfigured whenever you move house or your living needs change.

When redesigning a living room, balancing storage space, multimedia integration, and visual lightness is often a challenge. Modular systems resolve this issue through standardised grid dimensions that can be combined vertically and horizontally as required.

Types and Designs: Visual Variety for Living Spaces

The visual impact of a wall unit set is largely determined by the chosen surfaces and colours. As carcases are typically made from robust, melamine-faced chipboard, the aesthetic focus lies on the fronts. These are frequently manufactured from MDF (medium-density fibreboard), as this material is ideal for painting or foil wrapping.

Minimalist and Bright

Light-coloured surfaces reflect light, making smaller rooms appear larger. A High Gloss White wall unit creates a very modern, clean look through its reflective finish. Although fingerprints show up more quickly, they wipe away easily from the smooth surface. For minimal maintenance, choose matt surfaces. A Grey wall unit provides a neutral backdrop for colourful decorations or consumer electronics and looks softer than pure white.

Natural Wood Effects

Wood decors bring warmth into the room. A decor consists of a printed and impregnated paper layer pressed onto the core board. Modern decors feature a tactile texture imitating genuine timber. An Oak wall unit suits Scandinavian interior styles perfectly. The Sonoma Oak wall unit is particularly popular, as its light, slightly greyish wood tone is very forgiving with dust. For a rustic character, select options with visible knots and striking grain. Alternatively, there are Solid Wood wall units where the fronts consist entirely of natural timber. However, these require regular care with furniture oil and react more sensitively to fluctuations in humidity.

Industrial and Dark Styles

For large, light-flooded rooms or industrial interior concepts, dark colours and raw textures are ideal. A Concrete Effect wall unit combines the cool charm of exposed concrete with the warm feel of engineered wood. To create strong contrast, an Anthracite wall unit or an entirely Black wall unit is frequently used. These dark tones absorb light, so they should be combined deliberately with integrated LED lighting inside display cabinets or behind the television.

Buying Criteria: How to Plan Your Wall Unit Set

Planning a modular system requires accurate measurement and a detailed analysis of your requirements. The system functions like an oversized construction kit for your living area, where every component must fit into place perfectly.

Room Size and Dimensions

Measure the available wall space accurately. Consider not only the width and height, but also the depth of the room. Standard carcases usually have a depth between 35 cm and 45 cm. Watch out for obstacles such as skirting boards, plug sockets, light switches, and radiators. Plan at least 5 cm to 10 cm of clearance to the wall on the left and right of the wall unit to ensure adequate air circulation and make assembly easier.

Determining Storage Requirements

Assess exactly what needs to be stored. Books and lever arch files require sturdy shelves that will not sag under load. Metal shelf supports inserted into the System 32 (a standardised hole line with 32 mm spacing) are ideal for this. If you need to store many small items, a Living Room Cabinet With Ample Storage featuring integrated drawers is practical. Check whether the drawers are fitted with single-extension or full-extension runners. A full-extension runner pulls out 100%, making access to the rear of the drawer significantly easier.

Wall-Mounted or Freestanding?

A Wall-Mounted wall unit makes floor cleaning easier and gives the room a more spacious feel. However, this requires a load-bearing wall. On solid concrete or brick walls, suspended mounting using suitable heavy-duty wall plugs is straightforward. On stud walls (plasterboard), hollow-wall anchors must be used, and the load capacity is severely limited. If in doubt, suspended elements should only be used for lightweight items, while heavy modules (such as the TV unit) should be mounted freestanding on furniture legs or a plinth base.

Electronics Integration

When using the setup as a TV Wall Unit, cable routing must be planned. Check whether the back panels of the lowboards already feature cable outlets, or whether you need to cut them yourself using a hole saw (typically 60 mm or 80 mm diameter). The depth of the lowboard must be sufficient to accommodate AV receivers or gaming consoles including cables plugged into the rear.

Areas of Application for MODICA Modules

The versatility of these modules allows use well beyond the traditional living room.

The Classic Living Room: Symmetry is often central here. A central TV lowboard is flanked by tall cabinets or hanging display units. A Modern wall unit often combines closed fronts at the bottom with open shelving in the upper third.
The Home Office: Living and working areas increasingly merge. A Wall Unit With Desk seamlessly integrates a worktop into the cabinet layout. Files disappear behind solid doors, while the monitor sits on an extended tier of the lowboard.
The Dining Room: Here, the modules function as a sideboard or buffet. A Modern Wooden wall unit with integrated glass display cabinets showcases crockery and glassware.

Assembly and Hardware: DIY Installation

Assembling a modular set requires a systematic approach. Carcases are generally assembled flat on the floor and then stood upright.

Required Tools

Cordless screwdriver with bits (PZ, PH, TX)
Wooden mallet or rubber mallet
Spirit level (at least 60 cm long)
Tape measure and pencil
Hammer drill and masonry drill bits (for wall mounting)

Step 1: Carcase Assembly

Carcase panels are usually connected using wooden dowels and cam and pin connectors. The cam and pin connector consists of a steel pin screwed into one component and a round cam housing in the other. With a half turn of a screwdriver, the housing pulls the pin tight, creating a sturdy, right-angled joint. Important: The back panel must be screwed or nailed completely square, as it provides the carcase with necessary rigidity and torsional stability. Before securing the back panel, measure the diagonals of the carcase. If both measurements are identical, the cabinet is square.

Step 2: Wall Fixing

Freestanding elements must also be anchored to the wall to prevent tipping – especially in households with children. Wall-hung units are frequently mounted using a metal suspension rail. The rail is plugged and screwed horizontally to the wall, and the cabinet is subsequently hooked on using adjustable hanging brackets.

Step 3: Adjusting Fittings and Fronts

Doors are attached to the carcase with hinges. For overlay doors, a concealed cup hinge with full overlay is standard. The cup (usually 35 mm in diameter) is recessed into the door, and the mounting plate is screwed to the carcase interior. After hanging, the doors are aligned using the adjustment screws on the concealed hinge:

Depth adjustment: Regulates the gap between the door and the carcase.
Height adjustment: Carried out via the slotted holes on the cruciform mounting plate.
Side adjustment: Corrects the reveal between two adjacent doors.

Flaps on TV units are often supported by a gas strut. The force of these stays is specified in Newtons (N). If the strut rating is too low (e.g. 60 N for a heavy MDF flap), the flap will not stay open. If it is too high (e.g. 150 N for a lightweight chipboard flap), closing it requires excessive force.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much weight can a wall-hung unit module support? The load capacity depends primarily on the wall structure and the fixings used. On a solid concrete wall using 8 mm or 10 mm nylon wall plugs, a standard wall cabinet can easily hold 30 kg to 40 kg (including its own weight). On plasterboard walls, this rating drops drastically. Special hollow-wall metal anchors must be used here, and the load should not exceed 15 kg to 20 kg per module.

Can doors and drawers be cushioned? Yes. High-grade hinges feature integrated soft-close dampers that gently brake the door over the final centimetres for silent closing. For drawers, damping is built directly into the runner mechanism. This applies to both roller runners and undermount runners.

Can I extend the system later? That is the primary benefit of modular systems. As long as the range is manufactured, you can purchase additional carcases, shelves, or fronts at any time. Standardised grid dimensions ensure that new and existing elements align flush.

What care do the fronts require? Melamine-faced chipboard and painted MDF fronts are very easy to maintain. A slightly damp cotton cloth (avoid microfibre, as it can leave micro-scratches on high-gloss finishes) is sufficient for regular cleaning. Avoid aggressive cleaning agents or abrasive scouring creams.

Is cable management for the TV integrated? Most TV lowboards within modular ranges include pre-drilled cable grommet holes in the back panel and often in the top panel. If missing, they can be drilled into the back panel using a standard Forstner bit (e.g. 60 mm).

What is the difference between soft-close and push-to-open? Soft-close is a damping mechanism that cushions a door or drawer when closing. Push-to-open (or tip-on) is an opening mechanism for handleless fronts. Light pressure on the front triggers a spring mechanism that pushes it open. Both mechanisms can only be combined using specialised fittings, as they perform opposite functions (pulling shut vs. pushing open).

Which drill bit is required for wall mounting? For fixing mounting rails into masonry or concrete, you need a masonry drill bit matching the diameter of your wall plug (typically 8 mm or 10 mm). Drill the hole approximately 10 mm deeper than the plug length to accommodate drilling dust and allow the screw to drive fully home.

Related Categories & Guides

To plan your project further and find the right hardware and fittings for your living room setup, explore our comprehensive ranges. Here you will find all hardware options and accessories for your modular furniture build: