18 Ingenious IKEA Billy Bookcase Hacks

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Updated 11/16/20

Billy bookcase with shelf paper on the inside — The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

When it comes to hacking great storage, no other IKEA product works a room like the BILLY bookcase. The BILLY bookcase is pretty straightforward to build right out of the box, or you can get creative and make elaborate storage that looks great.

Take a look at 18 of the best BILLY bookcase built-ins ever.

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Epic BILLY Storage Hack

Scrap Hacker

The BILLY bookcase is one of those IKEA products that you buy for your dorm room and hold onto for years after graduation. The ScrapHacker had four BILLY bookcases left over from his poor student days, but they were not a good fit for his grown-up apartment. Did he kick them to the curb? Nope. Learn how he used them to create a brand-new floor-to-ceiling storage unit.

BILLY Storage Hack by Scrap Hacker

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BILLY Bookcase Dresser Hack

Infarrantly Creative

Becky, the DIY blogger who pens Infarrantly Creative, was faced with a challenge: Create something super unique using a BILLY bookcase. Knowing that the unit was a trim 11-inches deep, learn how she transformed it with scrap wood and paint into a small dresser perfect for tight spaces.

IKEA BILLY Bookcase Drawer Hack by Infarrantly Creative

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BILLY Bookcase Curio Cabinet

IKEA Hackers

Stores like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel sell glass-front bookshelves for thousands of dollars. Erik Linn was able to create several curio cabinets for his abode using BILLY bookcases and GRYTNÄS glass doors for significantly less. The GRYTNAS glass doors are not sold in the U.S., but no worries. IKEA sells glass doors specifically for the BILLY called MORLIDEN.

BILLY Bookcase With Glass Doors by IKEA Hackers

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BILLY Kitchen Storage Hack

11 Magnolia Lane

Peruse the photos of the work by Amy at 11 Magnolia Lane, who used a BILLY bookcase to transform an unloved eat-in counter into a functional kitchen island with much-needed storage space. She loved the final result so much it inspired her to makeover the entire kitchen.

BILLY Bookshelf to Kitchen Storage Hack by 11 Magnolia Lane

Kitchen Island Guide for Space, Storage, and Cooktops

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BILLY Bookcase Eyesore Solution

Design Evolving

Mara Greenwald from Design Evolving had an eyesore air conditioner in the middle of her living room. Ikea's products are known for being able to cover up eyesores, and one day she realized her BILLY bookcase was big enough to conceal her problem.

Hiding an Eyesore BILLY Bookcase Hack by Design Evolving

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Expansive BILLY Built-In

Store Front Life

When it comes to good-looking storage solutions, nothing is dreamier than a custom built-in. El Granto and Kristin, the handy DIYers behind Storefront for Life, share how you can create beautiful customized storage for only $400 using BILLY bookcases and molding.

From BILLY to Built-Ins by Store Front Life

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BILLY Library Ladder Hack

The Lilypad Cottage

What's the point of having floor to ceiling storage if you can't easily reach all of your stuff? Kelly from The Lilypad Cottage blog thought the same, so she came up with this built-in DIY library ladder that rolls in front of her BILLY bookcase.

BILLY Library Ladder Hack by The Lilypad Cottage

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BILLY Built-In Bench Seat

Southern Revivals

Jaime, the DIYer behind the Southern Revivals blog used BILLY bookcases to make the most of two walls in her home office. The wall features a cozy bench seat. Take a look at the entire office makeover.

Office Makeover by Southern Revivals

15 Winning Window Seat Ideas For Every Room

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BILLY Media Center Hack

Imgur

View photos of the build of this media center along a bedroom wall using several BILLY bookcases. It comes complete with "bow-chicka-wow-wow" lighting.

IKEA Bookshelves to Built-Ins via Imgur

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BILLY and BESTA Hack

Centsational Style

See how Kate from the Centsational Style blog used two tall BILLY bookcases and components from IKEA's BESTA collection to create lovely, free-standing storage. The unit was topped off with molding for added dimension. She also added brass lighting and pulls.

IKEA BILLY and BESTA Hack by Centsational Style

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BILLY Entryway Hack

The Accent Piece

Vertical storage gave Suzie's entryway a much-needed décor lift. Her husband used three BILLY bookcases to get the job done. Find all the details in a four-part post on their blog called The Accent Piece.

BILLY Entryway Hack by The Accent Piece

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The Cat's Meow Hack

IKEA Hackers

You can whip up the ultimate jungle gym for your kitty using a tall and slender BILLY bookcase. You'll find more photos of this project by Cave Lion on IKEA Hackers. This hack will keep your mountain lion climbing the walls rather than snoozing the day away on your furniture.

Cat Shelves by IKEA Hackers

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BILLY Bookcase BORGSJO Hack

Avery Street Design

Laura Irion, the interior designer behind Avery Street Design, used pieces from IKEA's discontinued BORGSJO series to make this storage masterpiece. The good news is that the Swedish retailer has added lots of new components to the BILLY series so that you can still recreate Laura's design.

IKEA Hack Built-In Bookcases by Avery Street Design

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Arched BILLY Bookcases

Juniper Home

Built-in arched bookshelves are one of those lovely features spotted in multimillion-dollar homes. Interior designer Jenny on her blog Juniper Home shares how you can create this expensive look using MDF and BILLY bookcases. Take a look at all the details, including her inspiration piece.

DIY Arched Bookshelves by Juniper Home

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BILLY Bookcase Tip

littlekokomo

The BILLY bookcase is both affordable and adjustable. Unfortunately, the holes that make its shelves a cinch to adjust can look off-putting. The Little Kokomo blog shares a quick fix that uses a putty knife and Polyfilla.

IKEA Bookshelf Makeover by Little Kokomo

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BILLY Console Hack

Make Do And DIY

Right smack in the middle of Linda's dining room was an ugly radiator. She created a cover for it using wood and two BILLY bookcases. Now, she has a stylish console with built-in storage.

Built-In Dining Room Storage by Make Do And DIY

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Floating Billy Bookcase Hack

IKEA Hackers

Furniture can make cleaning floors more of a chore. However, off-the-floor ideas like these floating BILLY bookcases make vacuuming and mopping easier. Even better, it looks cool. You can learn how to do it at IKEA Hackers.

Floating BILLY Bookshelves by IKEA Hackers

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Pretty BILLY Bookcase Hack

IKEA Hackers

Some people think that BILLY bookcase's simple looks are pretty dull. To give them a boost, work the backing. Sure, you can use peel-and-stick decorative paper to brighten up the backing, but did you know that you can do the same with fabric? You will need mod podge decoupage glue to apply.

Brightening Up A Boring BILLY Bookcase by IKEA Hackers

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