How To Paint An IKEA Billy Bookcase Without Sanding

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The beloved BILLY bookcase from Swedish retailer IKEA has long been a favorite — not just for its classic lines and budget-friendly price, but also for the endless ways you can customize it and make it your own. Originally designed in 1979, the BILLY bookcase is loved worldwide for its sturdiness, versatility, and ease of assembly. Its timeless design allows it to fit into almost any room, from bedrooms and living areas to home offices and craft rooms.

Plus, it comes in a handful of finishes, including white. Browse the internet, and you will see that there are so many ways to use an IKEA BILLY bookcase for way more than books. It looks great no matter how you style it — as a china cabinet, craft supply storage, or a spot for kids' toys, just to name a few. Starting at about $29, the bookcase can be customized in numerous ways to improve the look or storage capacity of just about any space in your home. The trick is to avoid certain types of paint when refinishing laminate cabinets like the BILLY. And if you cover it in a synthetic shellac-based primer before painting, you can achieve a fantastic new finish on your bookshelf without needing to sand it. This type of primer's strong adhesive properties make it an excellent choice for refinishing particleboard furniture. It's one of the few primers that adheres to nearly any surface — including glass, metal, and glossy finishes — making it a favorite among DIY enthusiasts. It also boasts a low odor and a fast drying time, which makes it even easier to work with.

There are many DIY hacks you can do with an IKEA BILLY bookcase, but giving it a fresh coat of paint is among the easiest. For this, you will want to work in a well-ventilated workspace to minimize your exposure to dangerous fumes. Lightly scuffing it quickly with sandpaper first is a tried-and-true method for providing better adhesion, but with this method, you'll skip that step entirely.

Apply your shellac primer, such as B-I-N Advanced Synthetic Shellac Primer, with either a brush, roller, or spraying method. Once the first coat has cured for at least 45 minutes, thoroughly wipe the bookcase with a microfiber cloth to remove any fine dust particles. Now, repeat this process one more time. Once your bookcase is primed and prepped, it's ready for a fresh coat of paint — you could choose a modern black, a muted blue-gray, or a soothing sage green.  Two standout options are chalk or mineral paint, both designed for refurbishing furniture and achieving a durable, stylish finish. For best results, use a foam roller on the large flat surfaces and allow the coat of primer to dry for 24 hours. Then, paint your BILLY. Once the paint has dried, apply a protective layer, such as Amy Howard at Home's matte sealer.

After painting, you can make your bookcase even more unique by adding glass panels, shiny hardware, or lining the shelves with decorative wallpaper. By painting and customizing your IKEA BILLY bookcase, you can transform a simple out-of-the-box piece into one that looks chic, expensive, and even custom-made for your space.