IKEA Billy Bookcase Makeover

A close up of a wood shelf transformation with fabric backing

Since my last post was about IKEA I felt it would be a good time to show you a makeover I did on another IKEA purchase recently-the ever popular Billy Bookcase.

My husband and I bought this bookcase shortly after we were married. It has through the years been in our living room, dining room, and the boy’s playroom. It’s very sturdy-the sides, top and bottom are solid wood and the back is a thin sheet of pressed wood.

A brown IKEA Billy Bookcase before being painted
A brown IKEA Billy Bookcase before being painted

With the upcoming move I have decided to nix the playroom in favor of a family room. I don’t want a lot of toys in the room-just games, puzzles, a tv, and I am hoping to homeschool for the most part in this room as well. That being said I wanted to give our bookcase a little makeover before the move.

My first step was to spray paint the entire bookcase black. For this I chose Rustoleum Universal in Satin Black because it is a paint and primer all in one. It took me about three and a half cans to spray the entire bookcase. I originally bout three and tried to use another Krylon spray paint to finish it off but as you can see the primer in the Rustoleum made a huge difference and it was off to Lowes for a fourth can!

Painting bookcase backing black with spray paint
Krylon on the left, Rustoleum on the right
A close up of Krylon and Rusoleum spray paint cans
Painting bookcase black with spray paint

After the bookcase was painted my husband took off the back panel for me. I bought this great fabric super cheap on eBay a few weeks ago. It is called Sultana by Iman.
Covering a bookcase backing with black and white patterned fabric

I used a staple gun to attach the fabric to the back of the bookcase. Because the piece I had was 56″ by 56″ and my bookcase back was 30″ by 72″ I had to piece together the bottom. I hid the piecing behind the shelf line. (I also had just enough fabric left to save for a coordinating pillow!)

An IKEA Billy Bookcase painted black with a black and white patterned backing

After the back was covered we nailed it back on and our transformation was complete! (Please excuse it’s location on the porch-the house is half-packed!) I can’t wait to see it in the family room once we move!

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19 Comments

  1. Hi Melissa –

    I just linked my post up at Addicted 2 Decorating and saw your Billy. OMGosh my I did one, too – with similar fabric – mine is a sheet. We have the same taste 🙂 – Yours looks great in blaok.

    Happy to have found your blog. I hope you have a great weekend.

    My best- Diane

  2. I’m gonna have to get one of those Billy bookcases…what a transformation! I really like that you used fabric..very nice. I’m glad I found your blog via Fingerprints on the Fridge. I’m now your newest follower. I would love if you stopped by, Lori

  3. Cute makeover!! We’re so glad that you linked up to our “Strut Your Stuff Saturday.” We hope you’ll be back soon. -The Sisters

  4. I’ve been thinking about how to jazz up my living room bookcases, but didn’t know if I just wanted to paint them. I love this fabric alternative, then I don’t have to commit so much to one look or color. Great job!

  5. Hi Melissa!
    Great job on the bookshelf…It looks great, I love it!
    amber
    {snippets of design}

  6. Wow, great job! I love the fabric so much. I hate Krylon! I will only use Rustoleum.

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