Warning! This hack looks so super cozy, you’re going to want to build a home library immediately!
I love to read — LOVE it — so the idea of a dedicated lounge space to kick back with a good book (and my pup curled on my lap) is highly appealing. Johntucker78 (Reddit) cut down several BILLY bookcases to create a built-in book nook (complete with the ultimate lounge chair).
It’s no secret that the BILLY is one of the most hackable pieces in the IKEA line-up, and it’s always fun to see what creative DIYers come up with. Check out how to get the look, or let it inspire you to make something unique to you.
What You’ll Need
- 5 IKEA BILLY bookcases with height extensions (how many you need depends on your available space)
- 1 x 12 pine
- Plywood
- 3-inch deck screws
- Wood glue
- Basics — tape measure, drill, screw gun, screws
- Primer and paint
Get This BILLY Book Nook Look!
1. Cut and Build the BILLYS
John had to cut down all the shelves to fit them within the space and around the windows. The tall BILLY shelves come in two widths, 15 ¾” and 31 ½”. You’ll need to measure your nook area to determine precisely how many BILLY bookcases you need and which sizes, then decide whether to cut any down.
If you do, John says he stacked the shelves, squared them, and made one cut through with a sliding chop saw. He used the cut-off pieces as jigs to form the new holes for the dowels and cam locks, which he admits was one of the most tedious parts.
Once you have everything in the size you need, assemble all of the BILLY bookcases according to IKEA’s instructions.
2. Position and Secure the Shelves
Place the bookcases, then secure them together and to the wall using the appropriate hardware. You could even go a step further and give them a more built-in look by removing the section of baseboard behind the shelves, so you can push them flush to the wall.
3. Add the Bridge
Above the window, John built a custom piece out of 1 x 12 pine and a plywood back. He secured it with 3-inch deck screws and glue, bracing it well since it spanned a considerable length. (He says he still only puts lightweight items on it, just in case.)
Depending on your space, you could also try using extra BILLY extensions for this step. It’s a way to avoid building your own, but you might not get the look of a single long shelf.
4. Trim and Paint
You could add some pine trim to the fronts of the shelves if you want to beef up the look more, but this is optional. After everything is in place, prime and paint the shelves to match your wall color.
5. The Next Step (Coming Soon!)
The hacker hasn’t had a chance to do it yet, but he plans to add LED lighting to finish the project. His goal is to install strip lights throughout the entire unit.
Extra Steps for Bringing Home the Built-In Look
This piece looks absolutely fabulous, and I don’t think I could ever put down a book if I had a spot like this in my house. (Especially with that chair! Can we please take a minute to recognize how incredibly plush it looks?)
If you want to recreate this DIY home library but would love to make it even more of a built-in, here are a few suggestions:
- Remove the baseboard behind the shelves
- Add crown molding or trim along the top to hide the gap between the shelves and the ceiling
- Trim out the sides, where the bookcases meet the wall, or use a paintable caulk to cover all gaps and seams.
What do you think of this library hack? Would this be something you’d love to have in your home? Any ideas on how you might do it differently?
Where’d he get that chair? Many people were asking the OP where he got the amazing chaise lounge. He said he found it at Sam’s Club (precious pup not included).
Check out the hack to learn more about the project, and reach out to Johntucker78. If you attempt this hack or another idea, make sure to share it with us so we can feature it on the site!
