25 Ultra Clever IKEA Billy Bookcase Hacks

The IKEA Billy bookcase is an ultra popular piece. The bookcase has different size and color options, including white, black-brown, and birch veneer. And it's made primarily of particleboard. Overall, it's a simple and streamlined shelving unit with an affordable price tag.

However, what we love about this furniture item isn't just its storage capacity and budget-friendly price tag. We're also majorly enthusiastic about all of the DIY possibilities for you to customize Billy bookcases and make them look even better. For instance, you can paint an IKEA Billy bookcase to match the rest of your decor. Or you can make Billy bookcases look built-in and expensive by attaching multiple units and adding trim. There are hack ideas for short Billy bookcases, Billy bookcases with doors, and more.

Keep reading to check out 25 brilliant IKEA Billy bookcase hacks that will make you want to get DIYing right this second.

01 of 25

Lovely Library

Kaari Sommer

Love the look of built-ins but don't want to shell out major cash for a custom setup? Try a Billy bookcase hack for a built-in like this one. The shelves were installed to appear original to this living space using a wooden platform, some wood trim, and doors added to the bottom half of the structure. Sconces hung above the shelves add that final luxe, library-like touch.

Continue to 2 of 25 below.
02 of 25

Sophisticated Storage

A Beautiful Mess

This Billy bookcase hack also used multiple shelves installed to appear like built-ins. They were painted to match the wall color to make them look extra custom. And they were jazzed up with a clever touch: storage bins in a corresponding color. Bins like these make it easy to stash away kids' toys, craft supplies, workout gear, and anything else that needs a home. And the top shelves still allow plenty of space for books and other display items.

Continue to 3 of 25 below.
03 of 25

Custom Chic

Dana VanTongeren

Once again, an empty wall got a major makeover in the form of a Billy bookcase built-in hack. The design uses a bottom trim piece of wood that matches the moldings used throughout the rest of the house for an ultra custom look. And the bookcases match the wall color to make them look seamless in the space.

Continue to 4 of 25 below.
04 of 25

Elite Entertainment Center

Sara Ann Sutton

These Billy bookshelves were transformed into an expansive entertainment center full of storage. The closed cabinets help to keep cords and wires concealed. And the open shelves provide plenty of space for media storage and knickknacks. While they don't span the entire wall, the bookcases still look like they were custom-made for the space thanks to the way they perfectly frame the television.

Continue to 5 of 25 below.
05 of 25

Trendy Texture

Blushing Bungalow / Madison Bess

Cane and rattan are a popular way to add texture to a space. And they're perfect for a Billy bookcase hack to give the flat shelving units some dimension. This Billy bookcase got a stylish upgrade in the form of woven cane doors and sleek dark green paint. While the finished product looks quite expensive, the materials are relatively cheap.

Continue to 6 of 25 below.
06 of 25

Fluted Fun

Alice & Lois

This Billy bookcase got a trendy makeover in the form of fluted cabinet doors. The doors are actually jazzed up with chair rail molding, of which there are many options to choose from to suit your style. The molding is glued to doors from IKEA's OXBERG line, and it's also been attached to the bookcase back for a cohesive look.

Continue to 7 of 25 below.
07 of 25

Statement Maker

Life After Coffee / Jessica Bowen

If you're not sure what to place beside your fireplace mantel, built-ins (or a Billy bookcase built-in hack) might be the answer. Once again, the Billy bookcase—well, actually two of them—was made to look custom with some trim. The DIYer also chose to caulk the shelves to the wall to minimize the appearance of any gaps.

Continue to 8 of 25 below.
08 of 25

Bigger and Better

Chi Townhouse / Erica Graham

This is one of the larger walls of Billy bookcase built-ins that we've seen, and it looks beautiful. A custom bookcase like this could run thousands of dollars if you were starting from scratch versus the prefabricated Billy bookcases. The lower cabinets got doors with pulls that match the style of the space. And the DIYer chose to paint the walls to match the bookshelf color for a more seamless appearance.

Continue to 9 of 25 below.
09 of 25

Sweet Solution

Shabbyfufu / Janet Coon

Even a freestanding Billy bookcase can be customized to look a little more luxe. Here, crown molding is attached to the top of a unit to make it appear a bit fancier and more complete. The great part about this Billy bookcase hack is it's very inexpensive, and you have many molding options to choose from to match your style and space.

Continue to 10 of 25 below.
10 of 25

Luxe Ladder

The Makerista / Gwen Hefner

Turn a simple Billy bookcase into a true library with the addition of a ladder. This ladder provides function—after all, reaching those top shelves can be difficult. And it is also full of charm and bound to enamor guests both young and old. The ladder is on a sliding rail mounted above the bookcase to make it all look like it's part of one overall unit. And the unit features detailed trim for a fancy look.

Continue to 11 of 25 below.
11 of 25

Secluded Study

Scavenger Chic / Joan Stricker

Your office space needs all the storage it can get, right? With this Billy bookcase hack, you'll have plenty of space for all of your precious files and supplies. Here, four bookcases are used—two back to back on either side of the desk surface. That way, you can access items on both sides of the shelving units. And you have a somewhat private space where you can focus on work.

Continue to 12 of 25 below.
12 of 25

Jazzy Touch

Melanie Lissack

These Billy bookcase built-ins were jazzed up with the addition of some decorative molding and gorgeous wallpaper, resulting in a truly high-end look. Wallpapering the back of your bookshelves is an excellent way to add more personality to a space on the cheap. Plus, it can be a fantastic alternative to paint.

Continue to 13 of 25 below.
13 of 25

Party Ready

Mel Vandersluis

Billy bookcases can look fabulous in the dining room, too. Here, a few bookcases grouped together make for ultra convenient storage for tableware, wine bottles, and other entertaining essentials. The addition of glass doors allows you to display your fancy dining items. If you don't need all the storage space that the tall bookcases provide, you can opt for the short variety and use the top as a bar or buffet.

Continue to 14 of 25 below.
14 of 25

Restful Reading Nook

Samantha Raising Wildflowers / Samantha Hicks

If you have a window seat, you're already halfway there to creating a cozy reading nook with Billy bookcases. (And if you don't have one, you can find a simple bench for this design.) This Billy bookcase hack perfectly frames the window and window seat with tall bookcases and then adds one more to cover the rest of the wall. Trim is added to keep the molding continuous around the room.

Continue to 15 of 25 below.
15 of 25

Play Station

Lamberts Lately / Leslie

Anyone with young children knows how key it is to have proper playroom storage. This child-friendly entertainment center, composed of Billy bookcases, is colorful and charming thanks to the addition of vibrant, easy-to-reach storage baskets, which might just teach little ones to tidy up after themselves. Be sure to bolt the bookcases to the wall, so there's no chance a child could accidentally pull them over.

The 11 Best Bookcases of 2022

Continue to 16 of 25 below.
16 of 25

Feeling Blue

Stacie's Spaces

While many built-in Billy bookcase hacks make use of trim to create a cohesive look with the rest of the space, paint is also a great option. This navy blue Billy makeover is a stunner and proves that there's something to be said for going bold. The end result? Storage and an accent wall.

Continue to 17 of 25 below.
17 of 25

Plenty of Pizzazz

Makes, Bakes, and Decor / Lianne Hempsall

Truly customize your Billy bookcase with a paint and wallpaper combo. The metallic silver marbled backdrop allows the bright blue to pop on these shelves. They bring just the right amount of color to an otherwise fairly neutral living space.

Continue to 18 of 25 below.
18 of 25

Family-Friendly

The DIY Village / Jacque Knowlton

Have young children or grandchildren? They'll fall head over heels for this adorable Billy bookcase-turned-dollhouse. While this IKEA hack is definitely off the beaten path, it's pretty easy to accomplish. Simply add extra wood to divide the shelves, and then define each "room" by using different wallpaper, paint, or fabric.

Continue to 19 of 25 below.
19 of 25

Cool Cane

House of Hawkes / Kathryn Hawkes

Here we have another impressive Billy hack featuring caning. While many retailers sell similar pieces for hundreds of dollars (if not more), this one can easily be recreated at home with some basic supplies from IKEA and the craft store. The doors are just rattan sheets framed in wood, and then the whole unit is painted so that the doors match the shelves.

Continue to 20 of 25 below.
20 of 25

Light and Airy

@urban.bungalow / Instagram

This bookshelf is kept looking nice and airy due to the glassware and greenery present. Plus, instead of solid cabinet doors, it uses loosely woven baskets. It also makes use of the different sizes available of the Billy bookcase, as well as the adjustable shelves. If you need to display something tall, such as a plant, you can always remove a shelf completely.

Continue to 21 of 25 below.
21 of 25

Formal and Fabulous

@magical_manor / Instagram

A robin's egg blue hue shines on these Billy bookcases and continues behind the fireplace to make the whole setup look custom. This unit proves that the Billy bookcase can look just as lovely in more formal living spaces as it does in casual family rooms. One trick to make your IKEA Billy bookcase look better is to display a limited number or type of items on the open shelves—e.g., only displaying books here—and leaving miscellaneous items for behind cabinet doors.

Continue to 22 of 25 below.
22 of 25

Happy Hutches

Tasha Agruso

A pop of paint can do wonders to turn the basic Billy into something that exactly fits your style. This IKEA hack actually features two items from the store to create a hutch: the Billy bookcase and a dresser below it. The DIYer opted to make two matching units to add balance, style, and storage to the space.

Continue to 23 of 25 below.
23 of 25

Clever Corner

@1930shouserevamp / Instagram

What's great about hacking a Billy bookcase is you can design an end product that truly fits your needs. And that can include manipulating things a bit to fit a tricky corner spot or angle in your home. The narrow Billy bookcase option can work especially well to fill in odd angles, and it can easily be used in conjunction with the more standard wider version because they're the same height.

Continue to 24 of 25 below.
24 of 25

Outstanding Office

@ourhome.becoming / Instagram

This Billy configuration doesn't go floor to ceiling or wall to wall, yet it looks totally built-in and custom for the office space. That's largely because the scale of the unit perfect fits its corner. So it feels like it was meant for that spot all along, rather than being DIYed from prefabricated Billy bookshelves. A sophisticated paint color, modern knobs, and traditional trim help to make the unit look classy and expensive in this home office.

Continue to 25 of 25 below.
25 of 25

Pretty Pantry

@little_birdhouseinyoursoul / Instagram

Billy bookcase hacks aren't just for living spaces. They also can help you keep closets and even your pantry organized. This hack is super simple. It takes an empty closet space and adds a tall Billy bookshelf to create pantry storage. You can up your storage game by adding bins to the shelves, as well as shelf dividers. And don't forget to adjust the shelves to accommodate tall items.