You know that moment when you spot a gorgeous built-in online and then see the price tag and quietly close the tab? Yeah, same.
But here’s the secret nobody tells you: the IKEA Billy bookcase is basically a blank canvas that turns into anything with a weekend and a couple clever moves.
These 12 Billy bookcase hacks are the exact ones people keep stealing pics of in real homes. They all start with the same $59–$99 shelf and end up looking like you paid a carpenter thousands.
Start with the Basics Everybody Forgets
Paint It Before You Even Assemble
Disassemble the box, prime, and paint the pieces flat on the floor (use Benjamin Moore Advance or IKEA’s own paint for perfect match). You’ll get zero brush marks and it looks factory-finished. Do this once and the whole hack levels up instantly.
Skip this step and it’ll always scream “IKEA paint job.” Do it and nobody will ever guess.
Add Trim Molding for That Built-In Look
Quarter-round or simple baseboard trim glued to the sides and top with No More Nails. Caulk the seams, paint everything the same color as the wall. Suddenly it looks like it was built with the house.
Takes one afternoon and $30 in trim. The difference is ridiculous.
Living Room & Office Winners
Flank the Fireplace with Two Tall Billys
Two 31-inch wide tall Billys on either side of the fireplace, add doors on the bottom half, open shelves on top. Connect them with a wood plank across the top and trim out the front. Instant cozy library vibe.
Paint the back wall a dark color and it feels like a $5000 built-in.
Corner Office Built-In with One Billy + Oxberg Doors
Place one tall Billy in the corner, add glass Oxberg doors, LED strip lights inside. Flank with a desktop across two small filing cabinets. Looks like a custom home office for under $400.
Perfect for Zoom calls that don’t show the laundry pile.
TV Wall That Hides All the Cords
Three Billys in a row, middle one gets a hole drilled in the back for cords. Add doors on the bottom, open shelves up top for baskets and books. Mount the TV in the center and it looks planned from day one.
Cable chaos disappears and the room feels twice as big.
Bedroom & Closet Magic
Built-In Wardrobe with Billy + Sliding Doors
Line up four narrow Billys, remove baseboards, add crown molding and sliding barn doors from IKEA. Paint everything white and it becomes a reach-in closet that looks custom.
You’ll gain more storage than most actual closets.
Headboard with Hidden Storage
Two narrow Billys laid horizontally behind the bed. Add cushion fabric to the front edge for a padded headboard look. Inside cubbies hide extra pillows and books.
Costs $150 and looks like a boutique hotel.
Kids Room Reading Nook
One wide Billy on its side with fabric bins on the bottom shelves, add a cushion on top for a window seat. Throw pillows and fairy lights finish it. Instant cozy corner that grows with them.
Perfect for bedtime stories without tripping over toys.
Kitchen & Entryway Surprises
Pantry Wall That Looks Designer
Four tall Billys side by side, add doors on the bottom two shelves, open on top. Paint the backs a fun color and organize with matching bins. Suddenly the kitchen has real pantry space.
Works even in apartments with zero storage.
Entryway Drop Zone Everyone Copies
Two Billys with doors on bottom, hooks and a bench in between. Add baskets inside for hats and gloves. Paint the whole thing the wall color and it looks built-in.
No more shoes all over the floor.
Coffee Bar That Feels Like a Café
One wide Billy with glass doors, LED strips inside, bottom shelves for mugs and syrups. Top becomes counter with coffee maker. Add a cute sign and it’s done.
You’ll never go to Starbucks again.
Playroom Toy Storage That Doesn’t Look Like a Disaster
Three Billys with doors on bottom half, open shelves up top for books and baskets. Paint chalkboard paint on the sides for doodling. Suddenly toys have a home and the room looks cute.
Kids actually put stuff away because it’s easy.
FAQs – Real Questions, Answered
Do you really need to anchor them?
Yes. Every single time. One $5 anchor kit per bookcase saves disasters.
What paint works best?
Benjamin Moore Advance or BEHR Premium Plus. Both self-level for that smooth look.
Can you mix heights and widths?
Absolutely. Mixing makes it look more custom than all matching.
How to hide the IKEA edges?
Iron-on edge banding or thin trim. Takes ten minutes, changes everything.
Very first hack to try?
Paint + trim. Do this on one Billy and you’ll be hooked.
Wrap It Up
Twelve hacks and one cheap bookshelf suddenly becomes anything you want—library, wardrobe, pantry, office, you name it. Start with whichever one makes you happiest this weekend. One coat of paint, one trip to the hardware store, and you’re halfway to custom.
Next time someone walks in and says “Wow, who built these?” you’ll just smile and say “Oh, they came with the house.” They’ll never know. Go make it happen.