DIY Constructed In Bookshelves Utilizing the IKEA Billy Bookcase Hack

The best way to make DIY inbuilt bookshelves with glass entrance Oxberg doorways utilizing the budget-friendly IKEA Billy bookcase hack.

One other IKEA Billy bookcase hack within the books! After our third set of those dangerous boys that we constructed within the home workplace makeover, Robert and I may in all probability make these inbuilt bookshelves in our sleep at this level.

However each time we’ve finished one in every of these hacks, we’ve used a unique measurement or sort of Billy bookcase, and with out-of-stock points popping up at IKEA these days, I believed it will assist to make a tutorial for this particular skinny model with glass panel doorways so you’ll be able to adapt to availability.

See our DIY inbuilt leisure heart utilizing tall, large Billy bookcases right here. Or see our DIY playroom inbuilt bookshelves utilizing brief, large Billy bookcases right here.

All of them observe principally the identical steps, however we really feel like we’ve formally mastered DIY inbuilt bookshelves with this technique.

For those who’re in search of a cheaper approach to create a customized high-end look in your home, want plenty of vertical storage with out losing house, or simply need to strive an amazing beginner-level carpentry challenge, that is the one!

DIY Constructed In Bookshelves Utilizing the IKEA Billy Bookcase Hack

Instruments

Provides

(That is what we used, however you’ll be able to change the variety of Billy bookcases and Oxberg doorways to suit your wall’s dimensions or wants.)

Be aware: Think about the measurements of your wall and ceiling top to regulate the variety of bookcases and board sizes you’ll want. For reference, our ceilings have been 8′ and our wall was 11.5′ large.

The Steps

Step 1 – Take away Baseboard

To get the Billy bookcases as flush as potential to the again wall, take away the baseboard. Use a utility knife to chop alongside the caulk traces of the baseboard. Then, use a claw again hammer and a small pry bar to drag the baseboard away from the wall.

Step 2 – Assemble

Assemble all the bins of the Billy bookcases, together with the highest extension. Go away the bookcases with out the skinny backing that comes with them for the reason that again wall will change into the bookcase backing because you’re constructing them in.

You possibly can maintain the highest extension off till after you anchor the bookcases to the wall.

Step 3 – Appropriate Hole

Because the bookcases are designed to have a backing (nevertheless it’s finest to not have one in a built-in to permit entry to shops), there will probably be a small bap on the again.

To make this look seamless, measure the bookcase and reduce a chunk of 1×2 board. Connect the 1×2 to the again of the underside of the bookcase with the end nailer.

And the hole is gone! Caulk will fill any cracks later.

Step 4 – Anchor Cabinets

Measure your wall and ensure the bookcases are centered and place the place you need them. Anchor the center bookcase.

Step 5 – Connect Every Billy Bookcase Collectively

Use your clamps to tightly maintain collectively the edges of two bookcases. Then, screw the wooden screws by either side of the bookcases to safe them to one another.

Step 6 – Constructed Within the Gaps

See that little little bit of house across the sides and prime of the Billy bookcases? We need to fill that in to make the bookcases appear like constructed ins.

Step 7 – Connect 2x4s

Within the small gaps, drill 2x4s to the wall and the aspect of the Billy bookcases.

Do the identical for the highest of the shelving unit too.

Step 8 – Connect 1×4 Boards to Face

To make the underside of the bookcases appear like one strong built-in piece of cabinetry, connect 1×4 pre-primed boards with ending nails.

Use a coping noticed or jigsaw to chop out the edges of the boards to imitate the form of the baseboard on the wall. It doesn’t must be good as caulk can later repair imperfect cuts. Repeat the method for the highest of the Billy bookcases, coping the edges of the 1×4 boards to suit the crown molding.

Step 9 – Reduce 1×10 Boards to Match Sides

Because the sides of the bookcases usually aren’t the precise width of a board, measure the hole between the bookcase and the wall and reduce down the 1×10 board to suit because the face on the edges utilizing a round noticed or desk noticed.

Step 10 – Connect 1×2 Boards to Entrance

Use the end nailer once more to connect 1×2 boards to the fronts of the bookcases to cover the cracks the place the bookcases meet collectively.

Doesn’t it look so flush and strong now?! Effectively, it should as soon as the cracks are full of caulk and gaps are full of Loctite foam.

Step 11 – Fill Gaps, Cracks, and Nail Holes

Use Loctite foam to fill any bigger gaps. We used it to fill the small hole between the underside 1×4 and the underside of the bookcases because it was barely too large for caulk. As soon as dry, reduce the froth and sand it easy.

Use caulk to fill any cracks between the wall and boards.

Then, use wooden filler to cowl any nail holes or cracks within the boards the place they meet. Let dry.

Step 12 – Sand Easy

As soon as all the fillers are dry, use an orbital sander to easy it out.

Step 13 – Take away Mud

We used our store vac to take away any sanding mud from the constructed ins to make it prepared for paint.

Step 14 – Paint Boards

Paint all the seen boards with the satin paint you had matched to the bookcases to make every thing appear like one strong piece of inbuilt bookshelves. You don’t have to color the Billy bookcases themselves, simply the boards in order that they’ll match them.

Not dangerous for utilizing an IKEA hack, huh?

Step 15 – Add Doorways (non-obligatory)

We wished so as to add glass/panel Oxberg doorways to the entrance of some of the bookcases to supply some hid storage. Oxberg doorways are designed by IKEA to suit Billy bookcases, however by making these inbuilt, there’s a trick to hold them correctly.

Step 16 – Mark on a Mixture Sq. for 1×2 Depth

Because the present holes on the Billy bookcases are now not helpful for hanging Oxberg doorways as they’re supposed in design, it’s important to make new holes to account for the depth of the 1×2 boards added to the entrance of the bookcases.

Place a mixture sq. in opposition to the 1×2 and mark its depth with painters tape.

Step 17 – Mark the New Gap

Use the marking on the mix sq. to mark new holes nearer to the entrance of the bookcases.

Step 18 – Mark the Gap Depth on a Drill Bit and Drill a New Gap

Place your drill bit inside an present bookcase gap. Use tape to mark the place the outlet stops so you understand how far to drill the brand new holes.

Drill into the place you marked for the brand new holes to that depth.

Step 19 – Connect Hinges and Door {Hardware}

Screw the door {hardware} into the brand new holes you drilled, and fix hinges to the doorways.

Step 20 – Cling Doorways and Add Knobs

Cling the Oxberg doorways to the bookcases, and test to ensure all doorways on the inbuilt unit align correctly. Then add pulls or knobs.

Model the Cabinets

Have enjoyable filling up these bookcase cabinets! I prefer to alternate stacking books and lining up books with decor mingled in. Mess around with heights and shapes till you’re pleased with the decor placement.

Listed here are extra suggestions for adorning cabinets.

That’s it! There’s another IKEA Billy bookcase hack within the books!

I didn’t initially intend on utilizing these skinny cabinets, however ultimately, it positively labored out!

You possibly can see the absolutely completed home workplace right here with all the paint colours and decor/furnishings sources we used!

Extra IKEA Hack Concepts

Have you ever made your individual DIY inbuilt bookshelves earlier than? Or finished another superior IKEA hack? For those who haven’t, right here’s honest warning that you simply’ll be hooked when you end your first one. It truly is like the most effective newbie carpentry challenge with coaching wheels.