Creative Hacks for IKEA Bookshelves and Built-In Cabinets

Bookshelves add so much character and interest to a room, especially when they look like custom-built-ins. If you love the look of built-ins but are intimidated by the price tag or complexity of DIYing them, check out these hacks for IKEA bookshelves that mimic the appearance of the REAL thing!

I have been DIYing and renovating our homes since 2002, and I have become a huge fan of IKEA hacks along the way. I have lost count of all of the IKEA hacks I have tackled over the past 20 years, but some of my favorites are this IKEA Lack table hack and this IKEA desk hack, as well as the bookcase + dresser hack I share below.

IKEA pieces are incredibly easy to customize thanks to their simple shapes, modular designs, and budget-friendly price points. They’re basically a blank canvas! They are minimal enough to blend in, sturdy enough to hold up, and affordable enough that it feels less scary to experiment with paint, trim, or bold design choices.

So if you’re craving the look of custom shelving or built-ins without the price tag (or the stress), IKEA hacks are about to become your new best friend. Instead of building everything from the ground up, you can start with a solid, affordable foundation–like a simple IKEA Billy bookshelf or Besta cabinet–and transform it into something that looks completely high-end and custom-made.

These clever hacks prove that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to get a polished, professional-looking result. Pops of color, legs, doors, and fun decorative touches are just some of the ways you can dress up bookshelves and turn them into faux built-ins. Get ready to get crazy inspired by these tutorials!

IKEA Bookshelf Hacks

Stack a Bookshelf + Dresser

When we updated our girls' bedrooms, we put together this awesome IKEA Billy Bookcases with Dresser hack. We also figured out the key to painting laminate IKEA furniture! These bookshelves turned out so cute and have gotten so much use from us over the years, even in different rooms. I love that they look like beautiful built-ins for a fraction of the cost of having them professionally made!

Add Glass Doors

This DIY'er wanted mid-height bookcases that didn't take up a ton of room. The Billy was the perfect height and depth, but didn't offer the style of doors that she wanted. The homeowner got creative and used the Grytnäs cabinet doors to create the perfect mid-height glass built-in look, with plenty of room for display shelves on top of the bookcases.

Get the most out of the height of your room with these tall IKEA cabinets-turned-bookshelves. Made from two wide cases placed side-by-side and an extender unit on top, I love that it goes all the way to the ceiling! But what really makes it feel special and built-in is the addition of the glass doors.

Add Texture

At under $300, the total cost of this DIY IKEA hack is an absolute steal compared to buying a similar piece. The texture that the caned doors adds to the basic bookshelf is stunning, and it makes it look like an expensive piece of furniture.

It's hard to believe that this started out as a basic IKEA Billy bookshelf. The use of inexpensive pole wrap to add texture and interest is genius. And the tutorial shows you how to create this stunning piece from start to finish! I could not believe how simple it was when I watched his video tutorial.

Create Arches

Arches are having a moment right now, and for good reason! They instantly add visual interest to a space. This DIYer added a rounded arch shape to each Billy Bookcase glass cabinet door, giving this basic cabinet an elevated look. Then she painted it a beautiful earthy tone. The end result is a custom look on a small budget.

Use Spray Paint and Contact Paper

Can you believe this glam shelving unit started life as a plain old IKEA Vittsgö shelving unit? Amazing what a little contact paper and spray paint can do! If you need storage in a small space, this is a great option because it is open and airy.

Add Legs

This DIYer added legs to an IKEA Kallax bookshelf for an instant upgrade that takes only minutes! This small, stand-alone unit is perfect for a tight space and is one of the simplest DIYs on this list. This would be great in a nursery or at the end of a narrow hallway.

IKEA Built-In Cabinet Hacks

If you have ever wondered how to make an IKEA Billy bookcase look expensive, the number one answer is to transform them into built-ins! You can attach multiple units and add custom trim and/or molding to make them look like they were custom-built just for your home!

Dining Room Built-Ins

This room received a MAJOR upgrade when the homeowners used Billy bookcases to create arched built-ins in their dining room. Talk about a high-drama moment! Those cabinets have enough room to store dining room items for hosting easy dinners, and the rounded, arched shape on top gives this spectacular custom look.

Window-Framing Built-Ins

After doing an entire home renovation, Mandi had run out of steam and money. To create the library she desperately wanted in her home, she used IKEA pieces to mimic window framing built-ins for a fraction of the price.

TV Wall Storage

Corey got creative with IKEA kitchen cabinets to design the perfect built-ins for the TV wall in her living space. To make this look like these belonged in a family room rather than a kitchen, she used baseboards instead of toe kicks. What a great use of IKEA pieces to create something custom, again for a fraction of the price of custom built-ins!

Home Office Storage

As someone who works from home, I have serious home office storage envy after seeing these IKEA hack built-ins. This homeowner used IKEA Billy bookcases, plywood, and decorative appliques to create these stunning built-ins in her home office. The before-and-afters of this office left me speechless! I'm not sure if it's the dark green color, the arches, or the combination of both, but it is a very high-impact and budget-friendly DIY.

Add a Library Ladder

This blogger used Billy bookcases to create floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases. But she didn't stop there! She added a sliding antique library ladder to the front of the shelves. Not only does it add to the already beautiful aesthetic, but it is also practical because it makes reaching the top shelves easy!

Custom Trim and Venting

Irene used a carpenter for her built-in IKEA hack. Even with having to pay a carpenter, she still saved money by drastically reducing the amount of custom work that had to be done. The painted facing boards (learn how to paint IKEA furniture with this trick) make the IKEA cabinets feel more substantial and interesting. And I love how they vented the bottom in an aesthetically pleasing way!

Add Sconces

This gorgeous open shelving looks great, but the addition of the beautiful sconces is what really elevates the whole thing. It's hard to believe these aren't custom-built-ins, which would have cost the homeowner around $3,000. Instead, she spent less than $400 on this IKEA built-in hack, which started with 3 Billy bookcases.

Here's another example of adding sconces to IKEA hack built-ins to really elevate the look. The brass hardware, lighting, and the bright pop of color from the sponge-painted shelf backing give this project a very custom look.

Practical & Pretty Playroom Storage

Lauren is an avid DIY enthusiast who KNOWS what she's doing! She created an entire wall of storage in her kids' playroom using IKEA Billy bookcases of varying heights. She added doors to the lower portion of some of the bookshelves–perfect for hiding toy clutter. The mix of open and closed shelving is a perfect mix of form and function. And creating the built-ins using IKEA pieces made an otherwise cost-prohibitive project very budget-friendly.

If you don't want to create floor-to-ceiling built-ins for your playroom, take a look at this option that was also created by Lauren! Her semi-handmade bookshelves are perfect for her kids' toys and games. I love the height of the base cabinets, which makes it easy for little hands to reach everything. And the use of storage baskets to hide toy clutter is pretty and practical. I also love that you can use the top of the shelves for additional storage or keep them clear, as she did here.

Create a Reading Nook

If you want to add architectural interest to a room, this is such a great idea! This homeowner created a daybed window seat, complete with built-in bookshelves on each side. She used two IKEA Hemnes bookshelves to create this perfect little reading nook. Who wouldn't want to curl up with a good book in that spot?

Add Drawers

This is one of the most unique IKEA built-in cabinets I've ever seen. The homeowner hung IKEA Billy bookcases on the wall and used kitchen drawer units at the bottom of the bookshelves. The entire built-in unit floats above the floor, which makes it incredibly unique. And I love that the shelving is all painted the same color as the walls. It gives the look and feel of custom cabinetry, but it's mostly IKEA Billy bookcases!

Create a Custom Entertainment Center

If you love the idea of drawers but don't want to have to worry about sourcing them from somewhere other than IKEA, then take a look at the custom built-ins you can create using the IKEA Besta system! Abby used base and crown molding to transform basic IKEA Besta pieces into an impressive entertainment center with loads of storage.

Aren't these IKEA built-in hacks inspiring? I love the ones with color (of course!) and the built-in bookshelves with a variety of storage options in one piece. If you thought you couldn't afford built-ins, think again! IKEA built-in cabinets are an affordable way to achieve the built-in look. There are so many great options, no matter what style or size of bookshelves you want to create.

Are you feeling inspired to tackle your own DIY IKEA hacks yet? Get even more inspiration from these posts.

Wondering how I approach transforming rooms and spaces in our home? Check out Designer in a Binder®.

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