Before and after: This BILLY bookcase is now a bespoke built-in with a minimalist aesthetic

Our love for a certain Swedish powerhouse is far from subtle, especially when it comes to stylish flatpack makeovers. And our latest IKEA BILLY crush is worthy of all the excitement – and more.

While BILLY is already one good-looking bookshelf, designer Kaari Sommer took the staple another step further and turned the unit into a beautiful built-in – complete with brass-hued swing lighting and an array of art books – because this is a BILLY, after all. 

Her IKEA hack is among our most favorite to date – combining everything we admire about the Swedish chain with a boutique hotel aesthetic. Here, Kaari walks you through the design process.

IKEA BILLY – before the hack

After building and moving into their home, Kaari and her husband wanted to create a wall of built-in bookshelves in their den. So, they turned to IKEA – who made it possible. 

‘I got a bid from the cabinet shop that did our kitchen. It was outrageous and definitely not in the budget. I had heard of an IKEA Billy Bookcase hack being done before, so I got on Google, formulated my plan, filled my husband in, and we got to work,’ Kaari shares. 

In her blog, Kaari outlined the intricacies of the design process, beginning firstly with purchasing 4 BILLY bookcases. They also picked up a BILLY height extension and the OXBERG doors. Kaari then bought MDF – and Benjamin Moore’s Simply White for the trim. 

Kaari then designed a wooden platform and was careful to evenly space the BILLY units against the wall. Crucially, the space between the left bookcase and the wall and the right bookcase and the wall remained consistent – along with the distance between each shelf.

IKEA BILLY – after the hack

Once the four shelves were in place, Kaari added trim to the top and sides of the bookcases. After completing the structure, she used wood filler and sanded the units – ensuring they appeared as though they were originally one bespoke piece. The result is the modern living room idea your home deserves. 

Finally, Kaari filled the famous IKEA holes to remove its flatpack origins and revisited Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, which further removed the units from their heritage. After the paint dried, she added the statement brass handles before filling the new furnishing with equally sophisticated books, pottery, and some curated greenery. 

If you’re looking to mirror this modern home decor idea in your home, Kaari’s blog has an in-depth tutorial, while her Instagram has footage of the makeover. Let the BILLY transformation projects begin.