Disclosure: This post is in partnership with HomeRight as part of their blog ambassador program.
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.)
I started out with the IKEA Billy which is a very plain, basic bookcase. I received the white one in the mail.
Here’s what I used for this project:
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- 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.
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.
I caulked all seams with paintable caulk, then I lightly sanded the whole bookcase.
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.
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!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
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- IKEA Curtain Hacks
- How to Paint Furniture: A Beginner’s Guide
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I would use it to refinish my hope chest to put in the babies room!
I would use it for a vintage school desk I bought while thrifting.
I would absolutely love to have this for all sorts of projects but first I would tackle my unfinished & neglected dining room.
I would paint my front and back doors!
my daughter is expecting her second baby and i would help them paint their nursery for the baby…..
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.!
I would use it on my deck, because we are building a new one this summer.
I would use it on some old chairs
I have a old entertainment center that I would love to turn into a bakers rack for my daughter
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!
Super hack! I love the colors and the back of the pieces looks magnificent! Love the Homeright Finish Max ease of use!!!
I love love love the treatment on the backwall – too gorgeous!
We just bought our first house and have TONS of projects and this would be so helpful!
Ooo, I have some bare dinning room chairs that need some love!
I have an old chest that belonged to my grandmother that I would love to refinish.
I would use the Finish Max for our front porch rails, porch swing, and garage door.
Who would’ve thought to add trim to a simple bookcase?! Love it!
Totally doing something like this for our office refresh. Any tips on places to get less expensive wall paper?
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.
Awesome, thanks!
This would be a great help to paint my dining room table chairs!!!
Totally would use it on this project!! Love this bookcase.
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
Thanks so much Gail! I love yours too!
I would paint a bed frame first. It is sitting in my garage, waiting to be refinished for my son.
Your bookshelf is GORGEOUS! Pinning!
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!
I would use it to update my old book shelf
I have a chest of drawers that needs sprucing up.
I would paint my kitchen cabinets.
i would use it for my kitchen cabinets
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.
I have 2 dressers that I need to paint
I have a few shelves that need painting.
The garage door could use some new paint.
I think I’d have to say if I won I’d want to first redo an ikea lack table.
I would love to use this to paint our outdoor bench on the porch. It could use a upgrade.
I would Paint two outdoor wooden benches That the Arizona sun have really faded the paint off!
Painting our headboard!
Would be useful for so many projects, where to begin…
I would paint a rocking chair.
I have interior doors that I have been wanting to paint. Also,a ton of furniture that needs updating!
oh the projects to be done with this bad boy!!!! the list is pretty much endless 🙂 #crafterforlife #diyordie
Beautiful creative idea!
I have several “past their prime” pieces of furniture that could benefit from this! The question would be, “where do I start”?
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.
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!
I would use this one a dresser that I have been working on
Thanks for chance to win
I have an armoire from the 1940s that I inherited from my Granny. It needs a serious makeover.
I would totally use it to paint the larger pieces of furniture I work on.
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!
Thank you Starla! If I could, I would. 😉