DIY A Large Storage Shelf Using Affordable IKEA Pieces

There are so many smart DIY hacks you can do with an IKEA BILLY bookcase to elevate the affordable staple and make it your own. From adding wallpaper to painting it to even installing doors, the versatility of a BILLY is as enticing as its price point. However, customization doesn't just lie in elevating each individual bookcase. Another great DIY we love involves combining multiple BILLY pieces to create the ultimate large storage solution on a budget. Wall-to-wall shelving can quickly become expensive, especially because it often needs to be custom-built to fit a space perfectly. The BILLY collection eliminates that problem by allowing you to mix and match various heights and widths until you reach the measurements that best match your room as well as your storage requirements.

One DIYer showed on TikTok that they were able to achieve the illusion of full-wall shelving by combining a standard six-tiered BILLY ($79) with a slim model of the same height ($59). They then added a classic three-tiered shelf ($59) to fit under a small portion of vaulted ceiling. While each bookshelf on its own may not have offered enough shelving, combining them in this way allowed the DIYer to maximize storage by covering all of the available space. And while not used in that particular project, the BILLY system's height extension units would have allowed for an even more precise fit by helping to take the height of each unit right up to the ceiling.

Once you've measured your space, it's time to select the right combination of BILLY bookcases to fit the available width and height. Play around with BILLY's various dimensions to test multiple configurations until you find your favorite, and remember, you can also look outside the range to build the perfect storage solution. For example, mixing in a couple of colorful square EKET cabinets (think yellow and pink) can add pops of modern color to the design while also filling in any potential gaps.

In terms of aesthetic appeal, you can go traditional and choose BILLY bookcases that are all in the same hue, or mix and match the various birch and oak finishes for a surprising ombre effect. Painting all of the shelves is, of course, an option as well, or you can try out a brilliant TikTok DIY to transform the classic IKEA bookcase into a unique showstopper with the addition of LED lights and plywood cut-outs to give the bookcases a new facade with curved edges.

Once in place, finish off the project by following Nate Berkus' simple bookcase styling tip, which will instantly elevate your space. Rather than loading up the shelves with vertical books, like you'd see in a library, mix up their orientation while adding in personal touches. As Berkus shared on Instagram, he loves layering books horizontally, then placing special objects on top of them. What's more, don't be afraid to dedicate some levels exclusively to mementos, turning the storage solution into a talking point.