Repurpose an IKEA Billy Bookshelf for Small Bedroom.

Purpose: Wanted to have a place to display my vintage radios and books...

Dreaming how to utilize the small space I had and everywhere I looked the shelves where, too high or too deep. I didn't want to block my view out the window.

One day a friend called and asked if I wanted some bookshelves, she didn't need, as she was moving back home. Sure I would, and went to pick-up an IKEA Billy bookshelf. Disassembled it and barely fit in my little car.

Some quick measurements, too tall and wide, gonna block a third of the window. Time too think.

(I do my best thinking on the throne.)

Solution #1 devised: Turn it sideways...

DUH!, that's not going to work, as there is a heating/cooling register, on the floor under the window. Then, it also looks dumb sitting on the floor. Can't clean underneath either.

Solution #2 devised: Only 9 easy straight cuts...

Came up with an easy design. It does require a few pieces to be cut and a few holes to be drilled.

Looking "GOOD" to me. Time to collect a few supplies.

One IKEA Billy Bookcase - 79 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 11 inches (Height Width Depth)

Note: If you buy a new Billy the hardware might be different than what is presented here.

You only need a small amount of extra hardware...

Mostly you'll be reusing the IKEA Billy hardware.

• 2 Inch Corner Brace with 5/8 inch screws - 8 pieces
• 1 inch Corner Brace with 5/8 inch screws - 2 pieces
• 1 1/2 inch Screws Self-Tapping Tip - 4 pieces

Make sure all the screws are Self-Tapping tips, otherwise you will have to DRILL more holes!

Only simple power tools are needed...

(Caution: Using power tools can be dangerous)

• Variable Speed Drill with a set of drill bits and #2 Square Drive to fit above screws.
• If you can borrow one, a Jig Saw or better a Circular Saw.

You could cut the boards with a Hand Saw, but can be very laborious.

• Hammer - to nail the backer boards.

Some Other Stuff

• Tape Measure.
• Speed Square - my favorite, most often used, tool.
• Wood Glue.
• Some leftover Chalk Paint and Brush. Colour matched to the yellow faded colour for touch up the cut edges.
• Rectangular Felt Self-Adhesive Furniture Sheet - you cut it up yourself with a knife or scissors.
• Sandpaper - used what ever I had 80 to 150 grit.
• "C" Clamps - used with the scrap wood (e.g Toe Kick) to clamp down as a saw or drill guide.
• Oh ya!, a sharpened wooden pencil. Put it behind your right ear to look like you know what your doing.

WARNING !!! ALWAYS WEAR EYE AND HEARING PROTECTION !!!

Layout the shelf pieces to see which ones will be cut ...

See the YELLOW coloured bits, that's the scrap pieces to be cut off. The RED Line is the KERF of a Circular Saw blade (the width of material removed by the saw blade). Check the other images for the dimensions.

Only the Facia (Toe Kick) is not used. Well, I used it as a guide for the power saw to keep the edges straight.

After cutting, sand all the edges and touch up with paint, just to look nice.

After cutting all the boards, count your fingers, and see if you have the same number as when you started.

I don't have a workbench, so, to cut or drill, I use a green 2 inch foam pad to support the wood off the floor.

Only the lower shelves have holes drilled through the board.

All other holes are just for the shelf pins. I drilled holes only for a fixed position of each shelf. The depth of all the holes are about 3/8 inch. Put a tape on the drill bit at that depth to know when to stop drilling. Adjust the depth if using the drill jig.

All the shelf pin holes are the same distance apart. The easiest method the make the holes is to use a jig. This can be made from the scrap wood. Then just measure down from the top edge, clamp and drill.

NOTE: If you want the shelves to be fully adjustable, I would recommend creating a drill guide from the scrap wood to help position the holes accurately. Fixed shelf positions are easier.

Recommend using the drill jig above for the shelf holes.

These dimensions are just what I like. You can drill holes to put the shelves where ever you like. Images are just a suggestion.

You need to make the notches so the shelf can rest on the steel pins. This will only work if you cut the boards correctly.

NOTE: A lack of accuracy in drilling any of the holes will cause alignment problems later during assembly.

The hard stuff is done, now for the fun of assembly ... it's real easy, really!

Review and follow the order of the images above. If you followed the construction, there will be no issues in assembly.

NOTE: As a safety measure it is recommended to attach the shelf to the wall to prevent any tip-over accidents.

I thought about what I wanted, and built this project in about three to four hours. It seems more complicated, than it is in reality, while trying to document the project.

I didn't think of taking photos of the project to document it, so I created this project in Free 3D SketchUp.

To see, close up, more vintage Radios in my collection, visit my web site: radioSPARKS.com

Now I can sit back, relax and read while listening to my radios.

The new shelf is starting to fill up with stuff.

Oh, And don't forget to clean-up the basement or the wife will be upset. 8) VE3XRM