15 Best IKEA Bookshelf Hacks to Inspire You.

Whether you’re looking for a way to add more storage to your space or just want to give your living space a fresh new look, Ikea bookshelf hacks are an easy way to update your home decor.

Whether you’re looking for a way to add more storage to your space or just want to give your living space a fresh new look, Ikea bookshelf hacks are an easy way to update your home decor.

One of the most useful ways to decorate our living spaces is with a bookshelf. A bookshelf is not just for holding books. It can be used to display decorative accessories, art, dishes, and photographs. It can become a major focal point in a room.

As we near the end of our living room update, I’m now focusing on a new bookshelf. I’ve been looking for a few months.

I have shopped at some local decorating shops for bookshelves, including consignment stores, estate sales, and antique malls. I’ve come up empty. New products were way more expensive than I wanted to spend. Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything that even warranted a possible update. In the end, I just didn’t find anything I liked. 

To get exactly the size and style I want, I’ve decided that using IKEA bookcases for a custom bookshelf is our best option.

There are many ways to transform these simple shelves into something truly special. Whether you’re looking for a way to add more storage to your space or give your space a fresh new look, there are plenty of IKEA bookshelf hacks out there to choose from.

Why an IKEA Bookcase Hack?

I’ve always had the idea of an IKEA bookshelf hack in the back of my mind. I have had three basic Billy bookshelves in my office for years and love them. 

First, I had to convince Sweet Shark that this was a viable option. So he agreed to a trip to IKEA. We had been there a couple of years ago to check out redoing our master closet (still on the to-do list), so he knew what he was getting into.

After seeing the beautiful displays, he agreed that designing and creating a new living room bookshelf using IKEA products was a great idea.

BUT . . .  Sweet Shark can do a lot of handyman stuff (He did help me put those Billy bookcases and my IKEA storage carts together for my office.), but measuring wood, sawing wood, and building a bookcase is not in his wheelhouse. 

Also, we don’t own any of the major tools, like a jigsaw or circular saw, that this type of project requires. 

BUT . . . We have a brother-in-law who can do anything with his hands. He taught shop in high school for years. He’s retired but still works, building fences, roofing, and other home construction projects for others. He’s kind of a workaholic and he loves to stay busy. 

At Easter, we asked him if he would be interested in constructing a new living room bookshelf using IKEA products. He said he could build me anything I wanted. Then, he said, “What’s IKEA?”

I briefly explained what I had in mind – a beautiful custom bookshelf that would add function and style to our living room. He told me what to do before he could start work:

• Decide exactly where on our living room wall the bookcase should go.
• Decided exactly the width and height.
• How many bookshelves?
• What type of crown molding and wood trim?
• Did I want cabinet doors? Did I want glass doors?
• Would the bookshelf need to be painted? (I told Danny he was off the hook on that score. Painting I can do.)

So my first job is to search for the style I want. The best place to do that is to scroll through Pinterest for inspiration. 

Bookshelf Inspiration – 15 Ikea Hacks to Inspire You

You will see from the IKEA bookshelf hacks I chose to share that I primarily focused on IKEA furniture that functioned in living room spaces. 

I know that IKEA bookshelf hacks can be used in living rooms, bedrooms, offices, kitchens, pantries, and as room dividers.

They can be made into cabinets, desks, bar carts, and sideboards. The possibilities are only limited by what function you need and how you want it to look.

I’ve gathered together some of the very best IKEA bookshelf hacks. From adding custom lighting to creating a cozy reading nook, these ideas are sure to inspire you to get creative with your own bookshelves.

Whether you’re a seasoned DIY pro or just starting out, there’s something here for everyone. So grab your tools (or your brother-in-law) and let’s get to hacking!

As you will see, you can use multiple types of IKEA bookshelves in your custom design. Although all the designs use IKEA bookshelves, every project approaches the work with different goals, tools, and design goals

So here are the 15 best IKEA bookshelf hacks I found – the ones that made me pause, click, read, and save. I also made sure that they included clear instructions and process pictures that I could share with Danny. 

Welcome to 10 or More Fabulous Finds at Bluesky Browsing #90.

Think of Fabulous Finds as a home decor/DIY/Craft/recipe Readers’ Digest.

If you are new to Bluesky at Home, what fabulous finds do I share at Bluesky Browsing?

• ideas to help you in your home decor efforts
• fun holiday decoration ideas
• ideas for better organization and efficiency
• a yummy recipe or cocktail
• fun DIY projects
• the latest trends in home decor
• a quirky new find or two

Get Inspired with these 15 Best IKEA Bookshelf Hacks

Focusing on finding new projects, resources, tips, new ideas, and inspiration for you is my main task. I’m constantly discovering fabulous finds to inspire us. My goal is to help you find ideas for your home decor, your crafting, your home organization, and anything about home.

My takeaways from looking at these (and many more) 15 best Ikea bookshelf hacks?

• You can do just about anything with Ikea bookshelves.
• You can make the bookshelves tall with one or more multiple extensions.
• You can make the bookshelves as wide as you need with varying widths, spacing the bookshelves, or a combination.
• Wood molding at the base and top adds a custom flair.
• Adding beautiful lighting is doable.
• Adding moveable ladders is doable.
• Bookshelves can be painted.

If you want to take a look, here are all the bookshelf possibilities at Ikea.

I’d love to know what subjects you are most curious about. Let me know in the comments and I’ll search browse for them. Be sure to PIN to keep these spring recipes handy.

I’ll be browsing away between writing posts, listening to podcasts, reading, doing various blogging tasks, playing tennis, and walking Nola.

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