using billy bookcases for a built in bookcase?

[flownthecoopkiwi]

Wondering if anyone has tried this. We have a lounge with a longish wall with a chimney breast in the middle. There is a section from the wall to the chimney breast on one side, 3.30 metres wide, that we want to fill with bookcases. thinking of getting 3 80 cm and 2 40 cm billy bookcases into this width, and then covering the 5 cm gap on each side with architrave, to make them look fitted.

the section on the other side of the chimney breast, same size, would be empty except for some freestanding furniture.

Would that look ok? Would you have backs on the bookcases or just the wall paint?

There are various IKEA hack websites where people have done this. The backs of Billy bookcases provide stability so you probably will need them.

I'm a great fan of IKEA Billy bookcases. They are so versatile with their range of different colours, widths, heights, etc. I even improvise on them by drilling additional shelve support holes especially at the top and bottom to maximise the usage space to accommodate my huge collection of CDs. Yes, I join them together side by side without using connecting bolts (they look good enough as if it was one unit) as my CD collection expands over the years. Only downside is you cannot find the same colour anymore (discontinued) as the years pass by. I travel the country to buy them secondhand for the same colour - red-brown.

Lots of people have done this, just have a google.

The main issue seems to be when they use the white ones and then trying to find a paint to match (to paint the architrave) to make them look like true built ins. People also put a strip of wood over where the two bookcases join so you cannot see the join. Again, to make them look more built in.

If you go to Pinterest there are whole groups devoted to ikea billy hackers ideas

ok, brilliant, will have a look. Am going for white I think, but yes, it's not a white white, more an off white. I'll keep that in mind.

Please excuse the mess but here are my built-in Billys.

I drilled the shell holes right through and then sliced around 5cm off some small shelves for the middle section.

I love that your books are colour coded! 😍

I copied it from someone on MN a few years back.

Ooh I like!