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IKEA Billy Bookcase Makeover

June 30, 2015 By Erin Spain 53 Comments

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with HomeRight as part of their blog ambassador program.

IKEA Billy Bookcase Challenge

HomeRight recently asked me and a few other blog ambassadors to participate in a fun design challenge where we would put our own personal spin on an IKEA Billy Bookcase.

You’ve probably seen these IKEA “hacks” on Pinterest and throughout the blogosphere, but this is my very first one! I was really excited to participate, and you can check out all of the different bookcases here. You all will be able to head to the HomeRight site from July 1-12 and vote for your favorite makeover! (Hint, hint.)

IKEA Bookcase Challenge

I started out with the IKEA Billy which is a very plain, basic bookcase. I received the white one in the mail.

billy-bookcase-white__0252332_PE391164_S4

Here’s what I used for this project:

Disclosure: Affiliate links included. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • HomeRight Finish Max Paint Sprayer
  • IKEA Billy Bookcase
  • 1×12 wood board
  • 1×4 wood board
  • Cove Moulding
  • Brad Nailer
  • 1 1/2″ Brad Nails
  • Wood Glue
  • Benjamin Moore Advance High Gloss paint with primer in Seaweed (1 quart)
  • Anthropologie Woods wallpaper (I had some left over from this makeover.)
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Paintable Caulk
  • Caulking Gun
  • Wood Filler
  • Compound Miter Saw (or handsaw and miter box)

The first thing I did was create a “top” by cutting the 1×12 board to 33″ long and attaching it with wood glue and a brad nailer. There was a teeny tiny gap between the wood at the top which I fixed with paintable caulk. I installed the shelves and then filled all of the remaining visible holes with wood filler.

IKEA Billy Bookshelf Makeover

For the bottom, I cut the 1×4 into 3 pieces: (1) at 33″ long (at longest points) with a 45 degree bevel at each end; and (2) at 12″ long at longest points with a 45 degree bevel at one end of each piece.  I cut the cove moulding to the same lengths but with mitered ends instead of beveled. I attached the 1×4 pieces onto the front and sides of the bottom of the bookcase and rested the cove moulding on top of it, then attached it all with wood glue and a brad nailer.

IKEA Billy Bookshelf Makeover

IKEA Billy Bookshelf Makeover

I caulked all seams with paintable caulk, then I lightly sanded the whole bookcase.

IKEA Billy Bookshelf Makeover

I used the HomeRight Finish Max to apply my “Seaweed” high gloss latex paint. This is the perfect shade of emerald green, and two coats provided good coverage. I was told that this particular formula of paint dries hard like an oil paint even though it’s latex, so I didn’t apply a topcoat. I love the smooth finish the Finish Max allowed me to achieve, which is so important with a high gloss finish since flaws and brush strokes show more easily.

IKEA Billy Bookshelf Makeover

Then I dotted some hot glue along the back edge of the wallpaper and adhered it to the bookcase backing, and attached the backing to the bookshelf. After having a little fun styling the shelves, the bookshelf makeover was complete!

IKEA Billy Bookshelf Makeover

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY THESE POSTS:

  • 9 IKEA Bookcase Hacks
  • IKEA TARVA Hack Tutorial
  • Entryway Bench Plans and Tutorial
  • DIY Lego Table IKEA Hack
  • IKEA Curtain Hacks
  • How to Paint Furniture: A Beginner’s Guide

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Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

Filed Under: DIY, Furniture, Furniture Makeovers, Giveaways, Home & DIY Blog, Popular Posts, Woodworking

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Comments

  1. Stephanie Phelps says

    June 30, 2015 at 10:06 am

    I would use it to refinish my hope chest to put in the babies room!

    Reply
  2. Carmen Van Deursen says

    June 30, 2015 at 12:48 pm

    I would use it for a vintage school desk I bought while thrifting.

    Reply
  3. Anne P. says

    June 30, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    I would absolutely love to have this for all sorts of projects but first I would tackle my unfinished & neglected dining room.

    Reply
  4. Tabitha says

    June 30, 2015 at 1:53 pm

    I would paint my front and back doors!

    Reply
  5. amy tolley says

    June 30, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    my daughter is expecting her second baby and i would help them paint their nursery for the baby…..

    Reply
  6. Lisa W. says

    June 30, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    End tables for my living room. We just remodeled and I found 2 end tables that I love but want to paint. Thanks for the chance.!

    Reply
  7. DJ says

    June 30, 2015 at 8:28 pm

    I would use it on my deck, because we are building a new one this summer.

    Reply
  8. Jeanne Rousseau says

    June 30, 2015 at 11:32 pm

    I would use it on some old chairs

    Reply
  9. Rom Kruse says

    June 30, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    I have a old entertainment center that I would love to turn into a bakers rack for my daughter

    Reply
  10. mary ballerin says

    July 1, 2015 at 4:25 am

    Hi – I would use the Home Right Max Sprayer for two bookshelf units and old entertainment center from the 70’s, I want to make a DIY wall unit …. I like midcenturymodern decor. Thanks, and I love your creation!

    Reply
  11. Christina says

    July 1, 2015 at 7:41 am

    Super hack! I love the colors and the back of the pieces looks magnificent! Love the Homeright Finish Max ease of use!!!

    Reply
  12. Leiah says

    July 1, 2015 at 10:01 am

    I love love love the treatment on the backwall – too gorgeous!

    Reply
  13. Elise says

    July 1, 2015 at 10:03 am

    We just bought our first house and have TONS of projects and this would be so helpful!

    Reply
  14. Vanessa says

    July 1, 2015 at 10:13 am

    Ooo, I have some bare dinning room chairs that need some love!

    Reply
  15. Ellie Wright says

    July 1, 2015 at 11:09 am

    I have an old chest that belonged to my grandmother that I would love to refinish.

    Reply
  16. Cheryl says

    July 1, 2015 at 11:33 am

    I would use the Finish Max for our front porch rails, porch swing, and garage door.

    Reply
  17. WhenCrazyMeetsExhaustion says

    July 1, 2015 at 2:49 pm

    Who would’ve thought to add trim to a simple bookcase?! Love it!

    Reply
  18. Ciara Anderson says

    July 1, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    Totally doing something like this for our office refresh. Any tips on places to get less expensive wall paper?

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      July 1, 2015 at 3:46 pm

      I would try eBay or I’ve even seen rolls at thrift stores. I’ve also used removable wallpaper from Wallternatives and Target sells some too.

      Reply
      • Ciara Anderson says

        July 1, 2015 at 3:57 pm

        Awesome, thanks!

        Reply
  19. Kathryn Jennings says

    July 1, 2015 at 3:53 pm

    This would be a great help to paint my dining room table chairs!!!

    Reply
  20. Christine says

    July 1, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    Totally would use it on this project!! Love this bookcase.

    Reply
  21. gail says

    July 1, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    Erin,
    I love how your Ikea billy bookcase hack turned out! The wallpaper makes all the difference! I filled my holes too. I think they are a dead giveaway that it’s a billy.

    gail

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      July 1, 2015 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks so much Gail! I love yours too!

      Reply
  22. Kimberly says

    July 1, 2015 at 11:09 pm

    I would paint a bed frame first. It is sitting in my garage, waiting to be refinished for my son.

    Reply
  23. Amy Anderson says

    July 1, 2015 at 11:35 pm

    Your bookshelf is GORGEOUS! Pinning!

    Reply
  24. Terri Moser says

    July 2, 2015 at 3:52 am

    I’m an Army wife living overseas, and I refinish the wonderful vintage furniture I find at flea markets and second hand stores in France and Germany. I would SO use this sprayer in my hobby/business!

    Reply
  25. Elena says

    July 2, 2015 at 10:09 am

    I would use it to update my old book shelf

    Reply
  26. Kay Moser says

    July 2, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    I have a chest of drawers that needs sprucing up.

    Reply
  27. Beth G. says

    July 2, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    I would paint my kitchen cabinets.

    Reply
  28. carol clark says

    July 2, 2015 at 4:02 pm

    i would use it for my kitchen cabinets

    Reply
  29. David says

    July 2, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    We have a spare bedroom in our house that we are converting into a playroom for our kids, and painting is a big part of that.

    Reply
  30. Marilyn Nawara says

    July 3, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    I have 2 dressers that I need to paint

    Reply
  31. Jennifer says

    July 3, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    I have a few shelves that need painting.

    Reply
  32. Seth @ Giveaway Guy says

    July 3, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    The garage door could use some new paint.

    Reply
  33. Michael E. says

    July 5, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    I think I’d have to say if I won I’d want to first redo an ikea lack table.

    Reply
  34. Nicole Dziedzic says

    July 5, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    I would love to use this to paint our outdoor bench on the porch. It could use a upgrade.

    Reply
  35. Lee McKeon says

    July 5, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    I would Paint two outdoor wooden benches That the Arizona sun have really faded the paint off!

    Reply
  36. Shannon says

    July 5, 2015 at 8:51 pm

    Painting our headboard!

    Reply
  37. Vicki says

    July 5, 2015 at 10:44 pm

    Would be useful for so many projects, where to begin…

    Reply
  38. Kelly D says

    July 5, 2015 at 10:58 pm

    I would paint a rocking chair.

    Reply
  39. Jennifer Reynolds says

    July 6, 2015 at 11:33 am

    I have interior doors that I have been wanting to paint. Also,a ton of furniture that needs updating!

    Reply
  40. julie naquin says

    July 6, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    oh the projects to be done with this bad boy!!!! the list is pretty much endless 🙂 #crafterforlife #diyordie

    Reply
  41. Gaynor Mann says

    July 6, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    Beautiful creative idea!

    Reply
  42. Gaynor Mann says

    July 6, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    I have several “past their prime” pieces of furniture that could benefit from this! The question would be, “where do I start”?

    Reply
  43. Diana Leyh says

    July 6, 2015 at 5:39 pm

    I am inspired, I was given this same Ikea book shelf and its such a stumper, I painted it with chalky paint and did decopodge on the back, cardboard, lol, when I go to put the shelves in, they scratched off the paint, you taught me something I didn’t know, so Im going to try again, I now want to create something different with it. Stay Colorful! I really hope I win the paint sprayer, I have been wanting one for so long. Thanks for the inspiration to a new DIYher blogger.

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      July 6, 2015 at 10:59 pm

      Hi Diana! I would definitely make sure you sand the shelves prior to painting to make sure the paint adheres well, and prime first too. (Although for mine I used a built-in primer and just waited until they were good and dry for a couple of days before carefully inserting the shelves.) Good luck!

      Reply
  44. marybeth says

    July 6, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    I would use this one a dresser that I have been working on

    Reply
  45. Becky Boyer says

    July 7, 2015 at 2:08 am

    Thanks for chance to win

    Reply
  46. stacey grantham says

    July 7, 2015 at 11:50 am

    I have an armoire from the 1940s that I inherited from my Granny. It needs a serious makeover.

    Reply
  47. Rebecca Noel says

    July 7, 2015 at 10:05 pm

    I would totally use it to paint the larger pieces of furniture I work on.

    Reply
  48. Starla B says

    July 7, 2015 at 11:42 pm

    Oh my gosh! Beautiful job- I seriously love that color and the décor in it. Ahhh, please come fix my house for me, lol 🙂 I would definitely first paint the chairs in my Nana’s kitchen. She has been wanting that done!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      July 12, 2015 at 8:01 pm

      Thank you Starla! If I could, I would. 😉

      Reply

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