IKEA HACK: DIY Billy Bookcase Built-In Library Wall

Today is the tutorial for my biggest IKEA hack ever: building my own library wall using IKEA Billy Bookcases! I was inspired by @themakerista on Instagram's gorgeous library wall. This project was so big, I had to call in reinforcements: my amazing handy dad whom you've seen in some of my other videos and my talented DIY content creator friend Krystle from @PerkinsOnParkway flew all the way out to Ohio from Dallas, TX to help me complete this project. It was our first time meeting in person, and I just absolutely adore her! Make sure you subscribe to her channel! Don't forget to subscribe to my channel as well and follow me on my other platforms!

j o i n t h e h o n e y s:

c o n t a c t:

Product links and cost transparency below:

S U P P L I E S:

(4) 93 1.4” Tall IKEA Billy Bookcases: $476.00
1 Qt. Zinsser BIN Shellac Based Primer: $23.48
Sherwin Williams Emerald Enamel Trim Paint: $153.28
(11) 2x6x8 Pine Wood Boards: $49.80
(9) 2x4x8 Pine Wood Boards: $22.96
(7) 1x8x8 Primed Boards: $82.40
(5) 1x6x8 Primed Boards: $57.40
(2) 1x3x8 Primed Boards: $15.96
(8) 1x2x8 Primed Boards: $31.68
(4) 1/2” MDF 4ft x 8ft Panels: $183.76
(2) 1x4x8 Pine Select Boards: $24.66
(1) 16ft 5 1/4” Primed Baseboard: $25.96
12 Ft Sliding Library Ladder Kit: $793.57
(2) Dentil Crown Moulding: $102.42
(4) Tubes Alex Dap Caulk: $14.33
Dap DryDex Plastic Wood Filler: $6.98
(1) Box 3” Wood Decking Screws: $33.97

Total Cost: $2098.61

T O O L S:
Dewalt 20v 18g Cordless Brad Nailer
Dealt Atomic Brushless Circular Saw
Ryobi 12” Compound Miter Saw
Dewalt Impact Driver
Rubber Mallet
6 ft level
Hammer
Sanding Block
Countersink Bit Set

[adrianagarza]

your dad is amazing! so glad you treasure him, he is awesome.

[jesusloveseveryone]

This is absolutely gorgeous! 💝 I think it was smart to incorporate the Billy bookshelves and further customize it. This looks like a library you see in manors and rich grand-daddy caves. I’ve been eyeing the Billy bookcases to customize, and now you’ve inspired me. It’s so awesome seeing women build affordable, yet expensive looking custom DIY projects. Good work!

[Cygnus-X]

This is amazing - totally want to recreate this whole thing for my new basement bar back, complete with sliding ladder to reach those expensive top shelf bottles lol ... thanks so much for detailing and sharing this out for everyone!

[sunshineab]

Thank you for this step by step!! ❤ you guys did an EXCELLENT job! 👏🏽

[stevencruz]

Looks great. A few things I would have done differently but everyone has an opinion. I would be proud to have this in my home.

[felixreali]

This is by far the best Ikea hack I've come across! I'm gonna copy your hack to the letter! Thank you so much for this; it really takes all the stress out of it for us 😉

[rndmlogin]

Wow! That project turned out really really well. Thanks for the in depth walk through. I have been wanting to do something like this in my den for a bit now. Thanks for the inspiration !

[wendyeskelin]

Wow this turned out amazing ! Time consuming for sure, but soooo worth it in the end !!!

[sandraarnold]

Love, love, love your bookcase! Beautiful!! 🤩

[jamessummers]

Oh this looks AMAZING. I've been brainstorming and thinking of ways to create a bookshelf situation with a rolling ladder (because my gf has a ton of books and I just like the look of a case with a rolling ladder) and this will definitely give me some ideas.

[Linda]

Great job, Erika (and team)! It's beautiful! ❤

[Mmgin]

Love love love the library! And thank you for teaching us how to do it 🥰

[musicartculture]

Omg this looks stunning 🤩🤩🤩 wow! I really want to do this but I have got no one to help me and a strict budget so cannot buy the service…. Really have to learn how to do this myself

[TheDarrenH]

You did an amazing job! This looks fantastic and is really inspiring. Great job and kudos to all of you!

[katherinelandreth]

This looks amazing! I do wonder though how much benefit do you think you get from using the Billy bookcases? With this much additional material and customization being done it seems like at some point it would be easier and not cost much more to just build the shelves too. I don't know if this particular project is at *that* point, and maybe I'm wrong about the cost since lumber is pretty pricy. Just curious how this project stacks up with materials, customization concerns, and cost looking at using Billy bookcases vs just making custom built ins from scratch.

[OnboardG]

That’s almost exactly the same room config and size of a room I want to put fitted bookcases into. This is ideal!

[Mediavidero]

Well planned design, good job. I'm not sure about leaving empty spaces without any kind of use (separations between shelves), but looks great in general.

[melissam]

You guys did an amazing job! When I do this for my house I think that I am going to install library lights at the top of each book case. Hopefully I can find a tutorial as in depth as this one!

[pavisfrancesca]

This is gorgeous!!! So amazing you guys DIY'd it as well 😍

[terrychancellor]

These look great!! Maybe this is what I need to do in my library room, current bookshelves look wimpy compared to these!! LOL!!