 was, “No way!” But sure enough, this talented hacker created a wonderfully sophisticated statement wall using assorted){kind=link}
Now and then, a DIY comes along that makes you do a double-take. Don’t get me wrong. We’ve seen some absolutely amazing IKEA hacks. But my first thought when I saw these stunning built-ins from Becky Johnson (@DIYWithBecky) was, “No way!”
But sure enough, this talented hacker created a wonderfully sophisticated statement wall using assorted IKEA pieces.
Becky was determined to add storage to their living room, which was overflowing with crafts, toys, and games. She also wanted a safe space to display her family’s travel mementos, mount the TV, and hide ugly cords. But quotes for 16-foot built-ins were coming in at $15,000 to $20,000!
She decided an IKEA hack was the answer to getting what she wanted at a budget-friendly price. She pulled it off beautifully, with a few tweaked BILLY bookcases taking center stage.
What You’ll Need
- 4 BILLY bookshelves (31½” x 11 x 79½”)
- 3 SÄLJAN countertops
- 4 BRIMNES cabinets
- 2 BRIMNES dressers
- Hardboard
- Crown molding (optional)
- Wood trim
- PPE
- Jigsaw
- Circular saw
- Miter saw
- Painter’s tape
- Brad nailer
- Sander
- Tack cloth
- Wood glue
- Superglue
- Wood filler
- Spackle
- Caulk
- Primer and paint
- Paintbrush and roller
- Shop Vac (optional)
- 6 Drawer pulls (optional)
- 4 Battery-operated sconces
- Basics — Drill, screwgun, pencil, tape measure
- IKEA replacement wood drawer front for BRIMNES dresser (IKEA customer service)
- IKEA bases for BRIMNES dressers (IKEA customer service)
From IKEA to Custom: How to Turn IKEA BILLY Into Custom Arched Bookcases
1. Create the Base
Assemble the BRIMNES cabinets and dressers according to IKEA’s instructions. Becky switched out the glass front drawer on the dresser for a wood one by calling IKEA’s customer service. They sent her the replacements for free.
Place the units against the wall where you plan to put your built-ins, but hold off on securing them in place until the next step. Swap out the standard pulls if you want something a bit more elegant. Make sure the replacements match the holes, so you don’t have to fill and re-drill.
Becky also contacted customer service to get 4 extra BRIMNES dresser bottom pieces so all the trim across the front base would match. She referenced the exact part from the assembly PDF and used super glue to attach the pieces to the cabinets.
2. Hide the TV Cords and Secure the BRIMNES
Plan out your cord routing before you secure anything in place. Cut into the back panel of one of the BRIMNES to reach your outlet. If you have a drywall-stud wall, Becky suggests a cord management kit. For her concrete wall, she used a PVC pipe as a slide from the TV to the outlet, later covering it with shiplap.
If necessary, you may need to set the BRIMNES units off the wall slightly to accommodate your cord management arrangement. In this case, use 2x4s secured to the wall for spacers and secure the BRIMNES units to the wood and each other. If you’re able to put the BRIMNES against the wall, secure them directly into the wall with the appropriate hardware.
3. Cut the Countertops and Bookcases
Measure and cut the countertops using a circular saw and painter’s tape over the cut line for a clean cut. Do the same with the BILLY bookcases after you assemble them. Becky had to cut her bookshelves down to 52 inches.
4. Attach the Countertops and Bookcases
Attach the countertops to the BRIMNES with wood glue and screw them from underneath. Sand and prep the BILLYS for painting before you attach them to your unit.
Then, attach the BILLYS to the top of your cabinet units. Secure the bookshelves to your wall using simple upper framing with scrap wood to the ceiling joists or studs. The framing will provide the necessary support for your arches, header, and sconces.
5. Time for Arches, the Header, and Shiplap!
Before you add the arches, if you plan to hardwire your sconces, complete any electrical work first. Then, cut and attach the arches. Becky chose to cut a perfect circle using a jigsaw. She made a circle out of hardboard and then halved them to create two sets of double arches.
She recommends connecting each pair to avoid any visible seams. Secure the arches, then add shiplap in the center TV section to conceal the PVC cord path or any other cords.
Cover the seams where the bookcases meet with wood trim. Install a simple hardboard header or crown molding above the arches. Connect it to the ceiling, so the bookcases look like a true built-in.
6. Prep, Prime, and Paint
Fill all the holes and gaps with wood filler or spackle. Sand the bookcases and hardboard, clean with a tack cloth, then vacuum up any dust.
Prime and let dry, then fill any remaining gaps or cracks with caulk. Paint with two coats. Becky used Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee on the bookcases and arches and Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore on the shiplap.
7. Add the Sconces
Install a sconce above each bookcase. Becky opted for battery-operated ones that use rechargeable bulbs, no cords needed! You can find options in your local lighting store, home improvement store, or on Amazon.
How Many Hacks Are Here?
Look closely in Becky’s living room, and it’s like the IKEA hack version of “I Spy.” Becky didn’t stop at the built-ins.
She even hacked her living room rug by sewing two LOHALS jute rugs together with jute string in a zigzag pattern. She advises using a paper clip or a bobby pin as an oversized needle.
But even the built-ins feature a lot more than one hack, as Becky points out, “What is really funny about this project is that I actually lost count of how many IKEA hacks I did to pull this off! From the drawer fronts to the dresser, to cutting down BILLY bookcases, to sewing rugs together, I did so many IKEA hacks just for this one project. I love it all, and each hack made me more and more excited to see it all come together!”
Overall, Becky said the built-in hack gave her family exactly what they needed. She loves the mix of materials and how the piece feels intentional and custom. (We do, too!)
Check out more of Becky’s work at @DIYWithBecky, where you can also find video tutorials and highlights for the hack. She’s happy to answer any questions or brainstorm ideas with you for your own built-in!
Once you complete your hack, make sure to share it with us for a chance to be the next featured project!
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