If you tap links we furnish , we may incur recompense .

Stay within your renovation budget with these IKEA furniture hacks to DIY your own built - in reposition .

Courtesy of LeeAnne Mullins

Built-in IKEA shelving and storage in in-home office

Credit:Courtesy of LeeAnne Mullins

IKEA is be intimate for its budget - friendly Norse invention you ca n’t typically find at your local furniture store . But the readymade furnishing do n’t always come in with a customs look . However , DIYers are changing that narration by using IKEA bookshelves , boxers , and cabinet as an economical starting point for a customizable , base - to - ceiling build - in look .

While there are C of combinations possible , there are a few piece that have demo to be the most pop . When localize together and shown a little DIY honey , a few resist - alone furniture piece can become built - in storage in the form of ornamental bookcases , wardrobes , desks , and entertainment centers .

Although more or less time - consuming , this transformation is well worth the workplace . Bespoke built - in materials and facility can cost thousand of dollars , but this method for DIY built - ins cuts costs drastically count on the dash and size of piece you choose .

office desk with green cabinets

Credit:Blaine Moats

IKEA Furniture Pieces to Consider for Built-Ins

BILLY Bookcase

The most democratic item used for shelving is theBILLY bookcase . It get along in three coloring : birch rod veneer , ignominious - brown , and white . The color you opt will depend on the color you plan on painting your built - in ; a dark pigment colour turn best with black - brown and a light pigment colour with white . There are also endless styles and size of the signature BILLY bookcase . you could take from glass or panel threshold , ones with wide or narrow shelf , and upright or horizontal excogitation .

The best summit and width for your bookcase will depend on the size of your distance and the other pieces you plan on using to build up your final product . Keep in mind that there are alsoheight extensionsavailable . Measure your outer space and compare it with the item ’s measurements to puzzle together your idealistic , customs combination .

HEMNES Bookcase

A BILLY alternative is theHEMNESbookcase , which has deeper shelving and is made with sustainably - sourced solid pine rather than particle board . Since it wo n’t have the ultra - glossy gloss conclusion , it ’s well-fixed to ground and paint than the BILLY . However , it also comes at a higher in price . Another welfare is that you do n’t take to trim off the legs of this bookcase so that the bottom can go snugly into the space you ’re placing it .

HAVSTA Cabinets

Home DIYerLeeAnne Mullins(@lifewithleeanneon Instagram ) create her own semi - custom post conflate two character ofIKEA furniture — BILLY bookcases andHAVSTAcabinets , which are made of self-colored true pine . Mullins mention that the build - in look began with the pieces she choose ; because the BILLY bookcase are more shallow than the base of the HAVSTA cabinet , they appeared inset and already like a usance body-build when placed on the storage locker base . She also placed the BILLY bookcase upside - down with the toe kick at the ceiling , which could easily be covered with crown molding or trimming . This prevent any col between the cabinets and bookcases .

" Aside from patience , and the upfront pattern step , the undertaking itself is one of the loose DIY projects I ’ve complete in my dwelling house , " says Mullins . " IKEA furnituregives people a great head start that elbow room . "

RAST Dresser or PAX Storage

Once you love what you want your finished product to look like , start scrolling through IKEA’sstorage and arrangement , where you ’re sure to find a Cartesian product for any store goal you have . For example , if you want to include boxershorts in your ramp up - IN with shelving above on each side of a desk , two of theRAST pine dresserscombined with two BILLY bookcase would become your needs perfectly .

If you ’re look for hallway storage or a novel press , try using IKEA’sPAX system . Even better , theirPAX plannercan help oneself you visualize your choose combining for all your storage needs . PAX products can also be kick upstairs and customized at home for a built - in feeling .

Blaine Moats

Bedroom with built in IKEA wardrobe

Credit:Courtesy of Rebecca Rajs

How to Achieve a Built-In Look with IKEA Staples

So you ’ve force out your plan and buy the pieces to make it encounter — you’re get closer to your dreaming work up - in storage . There are quite a few shipway that you may embellish the pieces to get a look your love .

Assemble and Build Furniture

First ,   build a nucleotide   of 2x2s , 2x4s , or plywood to lift the pieces off of the ground . To make it affluent against the rampart , it is advocate to remove any existing skirting board behind the finished composition . This footmark will already give the phantasy of a build - in .

Once you have your base , localise all of your IKEA pieces together in the way you ’d care and   hump them together , firmly attaching them to palisade studs and to the base with Grant Wood screws .

To further custom-make shelf , take total arches or other designs to the top of your shelves . Cutwood with curves and anglesand screw on to the furniture when finish . Or add blockheaded pieces of trim between each ledge to make the entire piece appear bigger . If your items have doors , make them look high - ending by trim back trim musical composition to create a skeleton for the door ’s outside .

Pay Attention to Details for a Polished Look

Next ,   fill in all golf hole   with a basic show up compound where supernumerary shelving or extra pieces could have been added ( especially for billy club bookcases ) . When all the maw have been filled in , caulk all of the seamswhere the pieces of piece of furniture meet and where the furniture meets the wall . This will create a seamless , built - in appearance .

Finish the look byinstalling mopboard moldingthat cope with the rest of the blank space for your new furniture base to desegregate it into the room .

And do n’t be discourage by the step and supplies postulate — Mullins encourage even DIY newbies to try their hand at a large - exfoliation project like IKEA built - ins . " you may be a novice without many peter and still do this . Most big - loge baseball bat stores will cut wood for you , so if you know the size of it of the trim opus you need , they can shave them on - site , " she allege . " you could also condition out your local cock library for depressed - toll renting for things like a nail gun or sander . "

Courtesy of Rebecca Rajs

How to Paint the Final Product

Once you have your pieces foregather and all extra touches complete for a custom - built appearance , it ’s time to finish your DIY storage unit with paint .

No matter the case ofIKEA furnitureyou have , sanding before primer is always a just theme . If you have a BILLY bookcase , for instance , it most likely has a high - color finish , making it hard for the paint to right adhere . To combat this , a repetitious process of sanding and painting is necessary for long - endure coverage . If you want to void sanding at all costs , practice a shellac primer likeZinnser B - I - N Shellac - Based Primer and Sealerbefore picture . ensure to permit the primer cure for 2 - 3 days in between coats ( two coats of primer is best before painting ) .

Choose Your Paint

urine - based latex paint paintworks well for DIY built - ins ; take using a matte finish to hide any imperfections . While a brush can work , apaint sprayerwill save you time and foreclose seeable brushstrokes . While not always idealistic , it is recommend to paint your storage unit of measurement the same color as the room to make it seem build - in .

Rebecca Rajs ( @rebs_home ) choseSea Hazeby Benjamin Moore for her integral closet and bedroom . She contribute thin trim pieces in a unique box shape and crown molding to the IKEA PAX series pieces .

" It can be a really affordable way to bring something entirely custom-made and unique to your home , " she say . " I was skittish to tackle this task , but I ’m so happy I went for it ! The finishing details   make all the difference , so do n’t be afraid to sample a sheer key colour or impart any fun detail you require . "

Sand, Paint, Dry—Repeat

When sandpaper your progress - ins , opt for atougher grit sandpaper , such as 180 - 220 , before the first coat ofprimer . After the first round of sanding and primer , practice a finer moxie , like 800 - 1000 , as a buffer to give the key some adhesive friction . Paint and sand with fine grit for four extra coat , giving each coating at least 24 hours to dry between each . While this is a tedious process , it ’s well deserving it to prevent rub and chipping in the future . When all four coats have been practice and dried , terminate with a refinement pelage to protect the paint underneath .

Decorate Your IKEA Built-Ins

Finalize your build - in lookalikewith hardware of your choiceandstyle as desired . essay placing leger , vases , and treasured knickknacks on the various shelf . With all of your newfound reposition , look to somenew organization ideasto keep everything tidy .