• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • L&R Collective
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Love & Renovations

  • Shop Our House
  • Beginner Guides
  • DIY
  • Life
  • Organization & Cleaning

April 4, 2013 · 32 Comments

How to Make a Billy Bookcase Look Built In

Home

We recently created a gorgeous reading room in our guest room and added some Billy bookcase built ins. Today, I’m going to show you how to make an IKEA Billy bookcase appear to be a custom built-in in your home!ย 

Is it just me, or does everyone have that one room in your house that’s just…embarrassing?

You know – the room where you always keep the door closed and you shove everything that doesn’t have a home into. The room that feels completely hopeless and that you think will never be a place you actually want to spend any time.

Ugh. That room.

Well, I decided to do something about ours.

Billy bookcase built in

Prior to now, this room hasย been basically untouched since the day we moved in – we use it to hold our two (giant) dog kennels, and I work out in it, but other than that it’s pretty unused. And pretty ugly.

We decided it was high time to do something about it…we started off by emptying out the room…

Quite frankly, it was already a vast improvement.

reading room before

We had decided to turn it into a reading room – I’m a big reader and would love to have a place to relax and hang out, and since we don’t have any kids yet this room could be used for just about anything.ย We wanted the roomย to have the feel of what you think of when you picture a traditional reading room, but an updated, more modern version of that.

We decided to add some architecture with crown molding and trim around the room – and the first step was marking where we wanted it. Our decision was kind of arbitrary – Google told us that the standard height for chair molding is anywhere between 30″ and 36″, so we played around with it by holding up a piece at various heights. We decided to go against all of the rules and hang ours at 40″ – no real rhyme or reason, it just looked best to us…and we’re rebels like that.

Installing molding in a room

Once it was all marked, I got to painting. We went with a pretty hunter green for the top half (Juniper by Valspar, if you’re interested) and a bright white on the bottom. At this point, our dogs’ kennels were still in the room (it’s a pain to take them apart, so we were postponing it), so I used ’em as a nice stepladder to help me reach the ceilings. Hey, I’m nothing if not resourceful!

reading room DIY

DIY IKEA Billy Bookcase Built In: How We Did It

Once the room was all painted, it was time to bring in the bookcases – we used IKEA Billy bookcases, and we wanted them to look built-in.

Adding some fun to the back panels

Before we installed them we wanted to add a bit of fun to the backย panelย (the room so far was very traditional, and it needed a fun modern punch), so we decided to go with gold stripes. I did them 3″ thick, and I just taped off every other stripe with my trusty Frog Tape and spray painted the backs.

painting back panel of Billy bookcase

Add height, if necessary

After everything was all dried, we brought it into the room. We laid down a spare 1×12 board to give the bookcases a little more height – without it, the crown molding wouldn’t have fit, so we needed to bump them up just a bit. It’s not even noticeable in the finished product, it just blends right in and gives it an extra inch.

You’ll notice we also used the Billy bookcase height extension units – this helped them actually reach the ceiling!

installing Billy bookcases built in

Cut a hole for light switches and electrical

One of the tricky parts here was that we had an outlet and a light switch on the wall where the bookcases were going. We wanted the whole thing to look as built-in as possible, so we needed to cut some holes in the back of the bookcase. To figure out where to cut, we got creative and put some lip gloss on the switch (and the outlet) at the four corners.

Then we pressed the bookcase up to the lipgloss so it would transfer over exactly where it needed to be…

installing built in billy bookcases

And from there it was super easy to cut a small hole and add the cover!

IKEA billy bookcase built in

It’s a small touch, but it makes a huge difference towards making the whole thing feel more custom.

Add trim

At this point, the bookcases were in and it was time for the finishing touches – like the trim! It was a pretty straightforward process – except for the crown molding, which hurts my brain and we won’t be doing again for as long as we can avoid it!

adding trim to Billy bookcases

In addition to the chair molding and the crown, we added some picture molding around the bottom half of the wall – we wanted to amp up the traditional feeling of the room a little more and add some fun detail. It’s one of those touches that kind of layers into the room and isn’t that noticeable in the finished product, but it wouldn’t be quite the same without it!

We also added a cute, modern wingback chair from IKEAย that the dogs were instantly drawn to, especially Ranger. I’m surprised we got them to stay out of it long enough to take the final photos!

Once the trim was complete, it was time for the fun part to begin – bringing in the accessories!

finished built in billy bookcases

Our other big DIY project for this room was our tree stump side table. I promise it’s way easier than you think it is!

diy tree stump side table

And that’s how we turned an empty, boring room into a reading room that I plan on using on a daily basis.ย I’m so in love with how it looks now, and I can’t believe it took us this long to take care of it!

What would you do with an extra empty room in your house?

Previous Post: « The Neglected Corner
Next Post: DIY Black & Gold Globe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    April 6, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    This was my pick! I think you did an amazing job! Congrats on 3rd place and lots of fun prizes!

    Reply
  2. Jess says

    April 6, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    I absolutely love this room! You have such a great eye and fun style. We were thrilled you were a part of the contest. Thanks so much for all of your hard work!

    Jess (& Monica)

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 6, 2013 at 8:14 pm

      Thanks so much! I LOVED being a part of it!

      Reply
  3. Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke says

    April 5, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    I think the room looks fabulous, that is a ton of work in one week! The shade of gold is lovely on the stripes! Also fell in love with the hot pink magazine holders–ikea, too? I was a contestant on “crafting” with the stars a few years ago and out in round 2. It’s tough, but look at all the projects you got done!

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 6, 2013 at 5:12 pm

      It is tough, isn’t it?! And thanks – we love the room! The magazine holders are from Ikea, yes…they’ve got the best selection for that sort of stuff!

      Reply
  4. Kristie says

    April 4, 2013 at 8:36 pm

    So bummed that you weren’t the winner!! I just *knew* this was your project. I LOVE how it came out. Kudos for for making it as far as you did and for all the awesome things you created in the last few weeks!

    Reply
  5. Sarah M. Dorsey says

    April 4, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    AWESOME job Amanda! Love the built in look! ๐Ÿ™‚ and that gold is amazing!!

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 5, 2013 at 9:36 am

      Thanks, Sarah! I was, of course, blown away by your awesome project! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  6. Debbie says

    April 4, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    I knew this was your project! I could tell instantly. Is this room earmarked for a baby’s room someday? Those bookshelves will be useful then too!

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 4, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      It is! That made decisions pretty difficult because we hated to re-do a whole room only to have to undo everything in a few years when we have a kid! We’ll probably add doors to the bottom of the bookcases down the line when there’s a baby in here so we have some concealed storage for baby stuff.

      Reply
  7. Rebecca @ Oak and Elm says

    April 4, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    I also voted for you reading room, it was my favourite. It looks fantastic, third place is no kick in the butt. Everything you’ve accomplished throughout this competition has been more than we done in pretty much the past year of living in our house haha. We’re slow.

    Reply
  8. Brooke says

    April 4, 2013 at 10:37 am

    I’m still in shock you guys didn’t win. You definitely put in the most work overall! Seriously, that’s an entire room transformed. Built-ins aren’t exactly easy, And for that matter, neither is board and batten and crown moulding! You guys did so much to that space. I think Jen has the right idea, even though you didn’t win a silly contest, you totally won with that new space in your home! And it’s going to completely improve the value of your property. You can still use the room as a bedroom, and those built-ins will be a huge plus. Great job!

    Reply
  9. Kerri says

    April 4, 2013 at 10:35 am

    I love your reading room! The bookcases turned out super awesome! The whole room has a great look!

    Sorry you didn’t win – but congrats on placing third. I loved seeing all your projects these last few weeks ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  10. Jessica says

    April 4, 2013 at 10:24 am

    This turned out great! Oh how I would love a reading room… Where did you get the bookcases?

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 4, 2013 at 5:31 pm

      They’re the Billy bookcases from Ikea!

      Reply
  11. Allie says

    April 4, 2013 at 9:27 am

    I vote you come install built-ins in my house. Someday I will have a reading room/library with them!!!

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 4, 2013 at 5:31 pm

      Haha, deal!

      Reply
  12. Jill says

    April 4, 2013 at 9:25 am

    I LOVE this room. I covet that pouf. I saw it at Target but couldn’t handle buying it full price but by the time it went on sale it was gone! Whomp. Haha.

    Reply
  13. Amy says

    April 4, 2013 at 9:23 am

    I voted for y’all! (without knowing it was you!)
    I love love LOVE this room, seriously i kept drooling over the picture!
    Y’all did such a great job!
    I’m hoping to have my “reading room” next year…the bookcases i want will require me to save some $$. Did y’all get yours from ikea?

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 4, 2013 at 5:30 pm

      Yup! Just the regular ol’ Billy bookcases – they’re nothing fancy, but I think they look great! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  14. Jess says

    April 4, 2013 at 9:22 am

    That paint color is amazing! I still think you had the best project, even if you didn’t win!

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 4, 2013 at 5:30 pm

      Thanks! We looove how the paint color turned out!

      Reply
  15. Lauren A says

    April 4, 2013 at 8:55 am

    This is my absolute favorite project that you’ve done ๐Ÿ™‚

    It’s amazing. I really want to have a library once we move into an actual house.

    Reply
  16. Lyndsey says

    April 4, 2013 at 8:00 am

    Bah! I totally voted for you, lame. But, at least you have this awesome new space!

    Reply
  17. Krissy says

    April 4, 2013 at 7:41 am

    I voted for this one! I loved it so much, and I loved how unique the idea was. Yeah, you could have just redecorated a bedroom, but you guys created a whole new space. LOVE IT! Congratulations! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 4, 2013 at 5:30 pm

      Thanks, Krissy!

      Reply
  18. Jen says

    April 4, 2013 at 7:39 am

    I was so disappointed to see you didn’t win the competition, but getting a new awesome space in your house is a win of another kind! I love this space and you all did such a great job. I want to come over and curl up with a good book myself!

    Reply
  19. Jennifer S says

    April 4, 2013 at 7:35 am

    I love it! I thought it was the best space and voted for it without knowing it was yours! It looks amazing! I think my favorite part is the gold striped backs!

    Reply
  20. Kelsey // It Takes Two says

    April 4, 2013 at 7:06 am

    Umm that lipgloss trick is awesome! I am definitely going to have to remember that, I’m sure it will come in handy for something someday.

    Actually, this whole room is awesome. We have a small, unused bedroom in our house and it was going to become my “dressing room”, and then a laundry room…and now I’m thinking it should be a reading room.

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 4, 2013 at 5:29 pm

      Aw, thanks! We’ve loved having it so far! And I have to attribute the lip gloss trick to Corey – it was his idea. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  21. Kath says

    April 4, 2013 at 6:56 am

    Well done on third place, you guys did awesome. Your reading room is fantastic!!

    Reply
  22. Sandi says

    April 4, 2013 at 6:43 am

    What a wonderful space! And crown molding? Insane. The math to do the angles is killer. Great job. I love that you and Corey accomplish so much together. Now take a well deserved breather after all these weeks of raising-the-bar fantasticness!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hey, friend!

 photo IMG_5108 2_zpstvngxnnk.jpg

Overwhelmed by DIY? Let's do it together! I'm Amanda, and I live in the suburbs of Austin, Texas with my husband and two sons. I've taught myself how to make simple updates to help make my house a home, and I want to show you how to do it, too. Click here to learn more about us.

Looking for Something?

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 ยท captivating theme by Restored 316