IKEA - building a bookcase

[BastardtheCat]

Has anyone ever used IKEA to build a storage wall and bookshelves? I know there are plenty of short, snappy clips on Instagram, but I could really do with 'chatting' about it. Really interested to hear what you did and, if you're willing to send pics - even better! Their design teams are fully booked until 2023 in my nearest store so I have to try it alone on their online design tool.

yes. I just buy an IKEA bookshelf and assemble it. what more is there to do?

OK, I've also done a pair of Billy's back-to-back without putting the backs in to make a fatter storage wall. then I fitted panels to one side in between some shelves to make deeper storage boxes. It is not perfectly neat but it does the job.

can you draw a picture of what you want?

I don't understand the bookcases are easy , my 8 year old built a Billy.

My DP did this (I helped). You need quite a bit of wood, and the right cutting tools. 3 Billys with extensions, and all the wood came to about £700, so a lot cheaper than getting a fully built in set.

It was quite a bit of work - lots of fiddling with angles and lengths and stuff, and then all the painting. Probably quick if you're an actual carpenter, but my DP works in IT!

Worth it though.

Just build it yourself surely?

I don't think the OP is asking for help with assembly.
I think it is with width and heights and which designs to choose to get a whole wall that is both functional and nice to look at.

OP, I'd get some squared paper and do a scale drawing. Then bots of white paper of different shelving and see what fits?

End result... Please excuse dehumidifier!

Yes, the OP wants to create a storage wall, not just build a Billy bookcase.

I'd start by making a list of what storage I need and then sketching out a rough design. Then I'd move to the online planning thing so see what I could actually build.

OP I recently (as in, last week) had IKEA Pax wardrobes fitted as built in wardrobes. I had a team of joiners from a firm called Unflatpack do this. It took longer than I had thought, but the end result is lovely.

I would not have attempted this myself - it was real precision work for them to make everything fit perfectly. You also need a good knowledge of the way Ikea furniture is made - so you use the right tools and not chip the particle board when cutting.

I imagine it would be the same for Billy bookcases.

The IKEA hacks website contains a lot of information if you want to DIY.

Please post pictures if you do! I love a IKEA hack. @BustPipes - very impressive!

I haven't personally, but pretty sure you'll find inspiration here:

ikeahackers.net/

I use Ikea for their Ivar range, it's very easy to mix and match sizes and so on (but probably looks a bit too basic for some people).

Whatever system you go for, first step is measure up your space carefully- and for widths, don't forget to allow for skirtings. If space is tight, measure the walls at more than one height- as they can lean in/out a bit even in new houses.

I make a plan view and an elevation, to scale, on graph paper. I then make a list of the sizes of things I need to fit in, and try things out in pencil, so I can rub out and move them about. If it is complicated, like my kitchen was, I cut out bits of paper the size of the things I'm trying to fit in and move them about on the paper.

I do have fancy computer programmes for graphic design I could use, but TBH I prefer a pencil and graph paper when I'm planning my house.

Thanks @Yellownotblue - we are very happy with the end result. It was damn fiddly though!

It all looks so easy on the videos - a bit of talking to camera, and then a fully formed plinth appears. Mostly American though - I believe they have flat floors and true right angles over there - don't know they're born.

THanks everyone and thank you @BustPipes for the pic. Stylish!
@Yellownotblue did that company charge much? Did they do the extras like building a frame, attaching coving etc?

@BastardtheCat , they do absolutely everything so the wardrobes look like fully fitted furniture. I had wardrobes done in four rooms, including an open plan dressing room that’s on the second floor and has sloped ceilings. They cut all the units to fit under the ceilings and added trim, silicon etc. The end result is very good.

I wouldn’t say it was cheap, but definitely much cheaper than having it built from scratch as bespoke joinery. And I love the variety of interior fittings that Ikea offers.

If you go on their website you can see examples of their services. Www.unflatpack.com