7 IKEA BILLY bookcase hacks that are so clever you'd never believe they were once a flatpack

The article discusses an innovative #IKEAhack that transforms the ubiquitous BILLY bookshelf into a stylish, boho-chic storage unit using rattan doors. IKEA furniture, known for its easy assembly and minimalist design, serves as a versatile foundation for personalization, a concept embraced by the "#ikeahacking" movement. This specific project, undertaken by Dubai-based interior designer Kathryn Hawkes, demonstrates how a standard BILLY bookshelf can be dramatically reimagined. Hawkes, alongside fellow interior designer Linda Dekkers, established Fronteriors, a business dedicated to creating custom doors, tops, and sides for IKEA furniture frames. Their shared passion for reinventing classic IKEA pieces led to this particular BILLY bookshelf transformation. The original white BILLY bookcase, typically used for books, featured deep shelves capable of holding substantial items. To achieve the desired aesthetic, Hawkes collaborated with a carpenter to construct cane-webbed rattan doors. Before attaching the new doors, Hawkes painted the BILLY bookcase a soft shade of beige to complement the natural tones of the rattan. This color change alone contributed significantly to moving the piece away from its original stark white appearance. Once the rattan doors were installed, the BILLY bookshelf was no longer just a bookcase but became a versatile storage cabinet. Hawkes chose to utilize its ample interior for linens and tableware, illustrating the potential for functional repurposing. The redesign highlights the transformative power of minor modifications and a change in material. The addition of rattan doors and a new paint finish made the BILLY bookshelf almost unrecognizable from its original form, imparting a distinct boho-chic character. This #ikeahack exemplifies how individuals and businesses can reinterpret mass-produced furniture to create unique pieces that align with specific interior design aesthetics and practical needs. The project underscores the flexibility inherent in IKEA's modular designs, allowing for creative customization that can significantly alter the perceived style and function of a piece. It also showcases the growing trend of upcycling and personalization in home decor, where off-the-shelf items are adapted to reflect individual tastes and fit seamlessly into diverse interior schemes. The result is a bespoke-looking item that offers both aesthetic appeal and practical storage solutions, moving beyond the standard utility of the original BILLY bookcase. #IKEAHack #BILLYBookshelf #RattanDoors #BohoChic #InteriorDesign #FurnitureRemake #StorageSolution #Fronteriors #ProductDesign

IKEA's BESTÅ line offers versatile and minimalist storage solutions that are highly adaptable for various DIY projects, allowing users to customize furniture for living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, and other spaces. The simple design of BESTÅ units makes them ideal for creating unique storage, from floating cabinets to bespoke built-ins. IKEA provides a range of products within the BESTÅ line, including wall-mounted storage and entertainment stands, along with options to personalize units with different doors and drawer fronts, or by choosing predesigned combinations. One hack involves utilizing IKEA's BESTÅ planner to create custom nightstands by combining a BESTÅ frame with a single drawer and a chosen veneer. For larger living spaces, several wall-mounted BESTÅ cabinets can be attached side-by-side to form an extra-long, sleek TV console, mimicking expensive custom units at a significantly lower cost. Alternatively, combining BESTÅ units of different sizes can create a visually interesting focal point, as demonstrated by an arrangement featuring varying heights. Adding matching storage baskets underneath a floating BESTÅ unit provides additional hidden storage, particularly useful for concealing items like children's toys, and contributes to a tidy appearance if the baskets fit flush with the unit. BESTÅ cabinets can also serve as the base for a cozy desk setup in a home office. By adding an IKEA tabletop to two BESTÅ units, or a combination of BESTÅ and ALEX drawer units, a functional workspace can be created, with consideration for height adjustments if mixing different cabinet types. For families, installing wall-mounted BESTÅ cabinets lower to the ground on each side of an extra-long tabletop can form an ultra-modern kid's play table with integrated storage, provided the units' weight capacity is respected. The flexibility of BESTÅ units also allows for the creation of TV nooks that resemble built-ins, either by installing multiple wall-mounted cabinets or by customizing existing BESTÅ TV storage combinations with various door styles. These nooks can also be transformed into decorative display areas, seating benches, or reading nooks, though reinforcement may be necessary for seating. BESTÅ units are also suitable for entryway storage, with flexible layouts that can incorporate a central nook for hanging coats or installing shelves and a mirror, effectively concealing clutter while keeping essential items accessible. Creativity in arranging BESTÅ units can lead to unique wall layouts, such as TV units with varying heights and units across the top that don't join on the sides, creating a more open and modern aesthetic. Mixing closed and open BESTÅ storage cabinets adds visual interest and allows for both concealed and displayed items, with various door designs available to match different styles. For those preferring closed storage, mixing different styles of BESTÅ doors can add character to a plain cabinet. Glass doors offer an alternative to open cabinets, providing closed storage while allowing items to be visible, with options ranging from clear to smoked or reeded glass. Innovative hacks extend to creating stylish nooks between wall-mounted BESTÅ cabinets by incorporating oak wood accents, transforming the units into custom-looking built-ins that offer storage and styling opportunities. Existing BESTÅ cabinets can be upgraded by DIYing fluted doors using half dowels, providing a custom look that can be primed and painted. Another simple upgrade involves adding new metal legs and door pulls to a BESTÅ TV unit, instantly elevating its appearance and offering a contrasting element to the wood-like finish. Installing a faux marble tabletop, either from IKEA's top panels or by applying contact paper to a plank of wood, can give a luxe and expensive look while protecting the cabinet. LED light strips installed behind or under BESTÅ units, especially TV units, can create a cozy ambiance. For a more hands-on project, a BESTÅ unit can be transformed into a stylish credenza dupe using pine boards and fluted trim. Additionally, BESTÅ units can be repurposed for practical, discreet solutions like a hidden litter box, leveraging the particleboard construction for easy cutting. Finally, combining BESTÅ cabinets with other IKEA shelving units like BILLY bookcases can create an expansive wall of storage, emphasizing the importance of securing units to the wall and respecting weight limits for safety and stability. #IKEAHacks #BESTÅStorage #HomeOrganization #DIYFurniture #InteriorDesign #CustomStorage #HomeImprovement #LivingRoomDesign #HomeOfficeSolutions