Step-by-step, easy-to-follow tutorial showing how to create built-in bookcases using IKEA Billy bookcases.
We’re deep into the playroom makeover and can finally see the finish line. The work has been tiring, but every step gets us closer to a functional, kid-friendly space with plenty of storage.
Earlier I shared the big vision for this room, including paint choices and layout ideas. After painting the walls Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee, the trim Benjamin Moore Simply White, and the doors Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron to tie the room into our home palette, the next major goal was adding storage. Built-in bookcases were the perfect solution.
Since we’ve built large built-ins from IKEA Billy bookcases before in our previous home, we decided to repeat the concept on a smaller scale here. Shorter bookcases make it easier for Olivia to access toys and help keep the playroom organized.
Using Pre-Made Bookcases for Built-Ins
I placed the rug and leaned our DIY Storybook Art on the built-ins for a quick preview of how the room will come together. The result is already adorable and much more functional.
Using pre-made units like IKEA Billy bookcases is an efficient, budget-friendly way to create built-ins without a full carpentry project. Below are the supplies we used and the steps we followed to convert four short Billy bookcases into one continuous built-in unit.
Supplies
(Some product suggestions are listed for convenience.)
- 4 short Billy bookcases
- 1 — 1″ x 12″ x 12″ board (poplar, pine, or oak; we used pine)
- 3 — 1″ x 2″ x 8″ boards matching the 1″ x 12″ species
- 4 — 1″ x 2″ x 8″ common boards
- 6 — 1″ square dowels
- 1 1/4″ wood screws
- Power drill/driver
- 1 1/4″ finishing nails
- Jigsaw
- Circular saw
- Tape measure and pencil
- Construction adhesive (we used Liquid Nails)
- Hammer
- Square tool
- Caulk and caulk finishing tool
- Stain (we used Minwax Special Walnut)
- Stain brush and clean rags
- Kilz Adhesion Primer
- Paint (we used Sherwin Williams Tree Swallow in satin)
- Angled paint brush
- Minwax Polycrylic sealer
Our out-of-pocket cost for wood, bookcases, stain, caulk, polycrylic, and paint was $304.43 (we already owned tools).
Step 1 – Assemble Bookcases
Start by assembling the four Billy bookcases following IKEA’s instructions. We left off the flimsy cardboard backing to keep access to outlets and to avoid extra material. Leaving the backing off creates a gap at the back of the bottom shelf that we close in the next step.
Step 2 – Attach Square Dowel to Back
Nail a 1″ square dowel to the back of the bottom shelf on each bookcase. This closes the gap created by omitting the backing and gives a cleaner finished look once the units are placed against the wall.
Step 3 – Find Your Placement
Arrange the units against the wall to determine exact placement and locate the center of the wall. This helps when lining up the bookcases and anchoring them to studs.
Step 4 – Anchor Sides
Screw the adjacent bookcase sides together at the top and bottom so the four units behave as a single, stable piece. Use wood screws to pull the units tight and eliminate gaps between them.
Step 5 – Anchor Bookcases to Wall
Attach the assembled bookcases to wall studs using the anchors provided by IKEA (or equivalent). Anchor at the top of the bookcases to keep everything secure and safe, especially in a child’s room.
With the units anchored, it’s time to add the wood details that make them read as built-ins.
Step 6 – Build Wood Top
Place the 1″ x 12″ board on top of the bookcases and mark cuts with a square for a precise fit. Cut the board to size with a circular saw. Apply construction adhesive between the top of the bookcases and the underside of the board, then secure the top with finishing nails at each end.
To make the top look finished, attach 1″ x 2″ trim to the front of the top, leaving about a one-inch overhang on each end. If you have a miter saw you can miter those corners; we simply butted the joints and they look great after caulking and paint.
Step 7 – Add 1×2 Boards to Front
Cover the seams where the bookcases were screwed together by nailing 1″ x 2″ boards to the fronts of each unit. For the ends that meet the wall, cut additional trim to fit between the wall and front trim. On our floor, we notched the trim to fit around the existing quarter round using a jigsaw so everything sits flush.
Minor imperfections are easily corrected with caulk and wood filler before painting.
Step 8 – Add Trim to Sides
To give the built-in a finished, paneled look, add a vertical trim piece on each side to create a rectangular side panel. Nail these pieces into place and fill nail holes for a seamless appearance.
Step 9 – Caulk, Wood Fill, Stain, Paint, and Seal
Caulk every crack and seam, allow it to dry, then stain the top to match your floor (we used Minwax Special Walnut). Protect the stained top with Minwax Polycrylic. Prime the bookcases with Kilz Adhesion Primer, then paint the built-in with Sherwin Williams Tree Swallow in satin for a durable, furniture-quality finish.
Once painted and sealed, the built-ins are ready for baskets and bins to keep toys tidy and accessible. While painting the bookcases, I also painted the fireplace mantel to match for a cohesive look; next steps include addressing the brick, updating lighting, and finishing small details.
It’s hard to believe how far the room has come since the New Year photo. We’ll be swapping the ceiling fan for a pendant light and upgrading recessed cans to brighter LEDs soon. A colorful rug pulled during a sale ties in perfectly with the bookcase color and the storybook art leaned on the top for now.
For the rest of the project we’ll finish touch-ups, install electrical plates, anchor the Narnia reading nook, add furniture, and organize toys into bins. After a big toy purge, the playroom should be ready for full-time use.
Right now, Barbies, Legos, and dress-up clothes are scattered through other rooms until Olivia can claim this space again—proof that playrooms are sanity-savers for busy families. With everything spread around the house, I still can’t help but think, “You’ll miss this someday.”
Playroom makeover checklist — progress so far:
Paint French doorsPaint wallsPaint trimPaint mantelBuild bookcase built-ins- Hang art
- Anchor Narnia reading nook
- Organize toys into bins
- Swap ceiling fan for light fixture
- Swap recessed cans for LED lighting
- Decide on fireplace brick finish (limewash, paint, or clean)
- Set up play table and chairs
- Create play stations for larger toys
Have any tried-and-true playroom organization tips? I’d love to hear them—please share ideas in the comments.
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