23 Ingenious IKEA BILLY Bookcase Hacks

When it comes to hacking beautiful storage, no other IKEA product works a room like the BILLY bookcase. Simply put, here are the best 23 BILLY bookcase built-ins ever.

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 weren't a good fit for his grown-up apartment. Did he kick them to the curb? Nope. He used them to create a brand-new floor to ceiling storage unit.  You can learn more here.

Related: Here are 13 Easy IKEA Hacks You Can Do in One Weekend or Less

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, she transformed it into a small dresser perfect for tight spaces. She shares how to whip up using scrap wood and paint.

Related: 9 Do's and Don'ts for Buying and Assembling IKEA Products

Thanks to new and improved production methods, the BILLY bookcase costs less today than it did when it launched it 1979. However, savvy penny-pinchers like Noz Nozawa know you can buy these affordable shelving units at bargain basement prices in gently used condition on Craigslist. She saved $100 when she created her customized BILLY wall unit.  You can learn more about her project here.

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. So that you know, the latter isn't sold in the U.S., but no worries. IKEA sells glass doors specifically for the BILLY called MORLIDEN. You can check out the tutorial on IKEA Hackers.

Amy at 11 Magnolia Lane used a BILLY bookcase to transformed 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. You can peruse all the photos here.

Mara Greenwald from Design Evolving had an eyesore air conditioner in the middle of her living room. One day she realized her BILLY bookcase was big enough to conceal it. Here's how she stopped living with ugly. 

If you got stuff, adequate storage is a must when you live in a small space. Without it, your home's doomed to become a big disorganized mess. A user submission on Imgur shows how you can use a few ​BILLY bookcases to build a closet in a room without one. 

When it comes to good looking storage solutions, nothings dreamier than a custom built-in. El Granto and Kristin, the handy DIY'ers behind Storefront for Life, shares how you can create beautiful customized storage for only $400 using BILLY bookcases and molding. Here's the DIY.

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 thought the same, so she came up with this built-in DIY library ladder that rolls in front of her BILLY bookcase. 

Jaime, the DIY'er with the blonde dreads behind Southern Revivals used BILLY bookcases to make the most of two walls in her home office. The side wall features a cozy bench seat. You can see her entire office makeover here.

Rita Crane, who pens the blog Crane Concept created these striking fireplace built-ins by stacking tall BILLY bookcases on top of BRIMNES cabinets. Afterward, molding was added to create a seamless appearance. ​Her tutorial shares the nitty-gritty. 

An Imgur user submitted this idea that uses several BILLY bookcases to transform a bedroom wall into a media center with "bow-chicka-wow-wow" lighting. You can view photos of the build here.

Kate from Centsational Girl 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. You will find all of the DIY deets here.

Vertical storage gave Suzie's entryway a much-needed décor lift. Her hubby used three BILLY bookcases to get the job done. You'll find all the details in a four part post on their blog The Accent Place.

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. 

Here's one of our favorite IKEA hacks. It's by Laura Irion, the interior designer behind Avery Street Design. So that you know, her project was created using pieces from IKEA's discontinued BORGSJO series. The good news is, the Swedish retailer added lots of new components to the BILLY series that you can use to recreate Laura's design. Check out her tutorial here.

Luxury retailers like Resource Furniture sell Murphy beds that transform into bookshelf storage for thousands of dollars. This idea spotted on IKEA Hackers illustrates how you can use a couple of BILLY bookcases to build a Murphy bed for cheap. 

Built-in arched bookshelves are one of those lovely features spotted in multimillion dollar homes. Jenny from Little Green Notebook shares how you can create this expensive look using MDF and BILLY bookcases. You'll find all the details here including the photo that inspired her project. 

Lovely molding and pink upholstery transformed Lisa's BILLY bookcase into a book bench for her kid. She shares how you can create one too on her blog All Things Campbell.

The BILLY bookcase is both affordable and adjustable. Unfortunately, the holes that make its shelves a cinch to adjust look pretty darn ugly. The Little Kokomo blog shares a quick fix that uses a putty knife and Polyfilla. You can read all about it here.

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. She shares all the project details on her blog, Make Do And DIY.

Furniture can make cleaning floors more of a chore. However, off the floor ideas likes this floating BILLY Bookcase make vacuuming and mopping easier. Even better, it looks kind of cool. For more info, visit IKEA Hackers.

Some people find the BILLY bookcase's simple good looks pretty dull. Sure, you can use peel and stick the decorative paper to brighten it up, but you may not know you can do the same with fabric. You'll need Mod Podge decoupage glue to apply.