BILLY BOOKCASE IKEA HACK 2.0 | BEAUTIFUL DIY BOOKSHELVES WITH CABINETS

[@fishercourt]

I’m watching this for the first time, and I really appreciate that you spend your precious time to reply to most people, by showing gratitude! That’s really refreshing to see that and you MUST let all the other folks on YT that if they make money on here then the least they can do is comment back to folks who take their time to make comments. Anyway, thanks for being appreciative! I will subscribe to your channel JUST for the fact you seem be so grateful to your audience! Ciao!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

That’s so nice of you to say! Wow. Thank you 🙏🏼 Yes, that’s exactly how I see it as well. And I’m also just super thankful that people actually want to watch my videos and even more thankful when anyone leaves a comment 😅 it means so much! And you’re welcome!

[@DebWHNP]

This resolved the problem of sagging shelves with the wider billy bookcases! Beautiful

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Great to hear! Thank you so much 🫶🏼

[@peggymohr7899]

These are gorgeous book cases. Very rewarding.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@rjendoubi]

Thanks for the updated vid! 🙂 From researching, it looks like those screws at 4:18 are often called "barrel nut and bolt" or "inter screws," but they're sometimes called "cabinet (or cupboard) connector (or connecting, or joining) bolts (or screws)". Lots of variations! And the term to find them on one site might not work at all on a different site. But I hadn't come across them before, so thanks for sharing, whatever they're called 😄

[@KatjaNordkvist]

You’re welcome! And thank you so much, now I know what to call them in future videos 😅🫶🏼

[@camih4548]

They are also called either Screw Rivets or Chicago Screws in some places. Smaller ones for leather works are sometimes just referred to as Belt Srews. At some point I was searching like crazy for the Danish term for this interlocking screw type, but with a decorative head on one side 😂 When you have a vision, but you vocabulary fails you 🫠

What are they called in Danish?

[@DAS-Machina]

Funny the screws you used are called "Connecting Screws", "Panel Connectors" or "screw posts". Without the gripping flutes near the head they are called Chicago screws

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you! That’s very specific, probably why I had a hard time looking it up 😅

[@jasminerosepetal]

Love the look, I would love it even more once a bridge is placed over the door between the two sections.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Me too. I actually kinda regret that we didn’t make it like that!

[@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living]

This is STUNNING! It does NOT look like IKEA - they look like they were built-in to the room. Well done!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much 🤍🙏🏼

[@lornastewart1352]

Looks great, but I have to say my favorite part of your video were the birds that I spotted flying around on your ceiling, I just love that 😃

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏼 I also love them, it’s probably one of my favorite details in our home 😄

[@shubhobrottodas7357]

I am considering something similar at my apartment in Australia. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful inspiration piece. Looks stunning.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Do it! So happy that you like it 🙏🏼 thank you so much!

[@jacistanton1126]

I love the birds on the ceiling. Looks like something I would do. The bookshelves are beautiful. Well done!

[@lazygardens]

Those screws are called "Binder Screws". Easy to find as soon as you know the name. That base would be easy with pocketholes. Good looking project.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much!

[@wraparoundschoolhouse5352]

Hello from the United States. I love a good Ikea hack. Looks beautiful! ❤

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you! That’s great, me too 🫶🏼

[@markzelunka7013]

I have been waiting for months for this video - I'm planning to do the same thing in my dining room!!!

[@markzelunka7013]

thank you !!!!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

That’s fantastic to hear! Thank you so much 🙏🏼 good luck with the project!

[@RuthArjona50]

Donde estan? este canal esta magnifico.Mucha suerte!!!! se lo merecen.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much 🫶🏼

[@fredericnouvel]

Hey! Wonderful video, it’s inspiring and well explained. You give the cabinet doors width (39.5cm) but not the length. Is it 75cm or 74.5cm? Thank you so much!

[@patriciavelazquez1010]

You guys did an excellent job, congratulations.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much for telling me that, it means a lot 🙏🏼🤍

[@momk1321]

Love it. I wish I have even a tiny skills to do this type of DIY

[@lisabrightly]

Great job. This looks amazing!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you, that means a lot 🙏🏼

[@ejmakesus6]

Looks great. Great video. 🤍Watching from Australia 🇦🇺

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it 🙏🏼

[@c.o3301]

Looks incredible! The architecture in the room is stunning too.

[@fineartlifestyling]

Awesome job you two! So professional and lovely looking! So nice to see young people DIYing things like this :)

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Such a nice comment, thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

[@henningpetersen9183]

Nice vlog. the name for the screws are "Chicago screws" or "Furniture Joint Connector Bolt" That what i have found them under.

[@user-yj8cs6xb6i]

Your English is excellent!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you!

[@albertpascualgonzalez3421]

Wow! Really nice!!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@heidim6468]

The shelves would be perfect if IKEA made glass doors for these shelves so you didn’t have to dust them…..Love the bottom doors.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you! Actually dusting them is not that bad 😅

[@eqr9075]

IKEA makes glass doors for the Billy bookcase

[@CapitanoBull]

They do and they're called oxberg

[@GeorgeandAlexa]

Was this project expensive to make? In dollars how much did it cost? I liked it!! it is wonderful!! Amazing job girl!!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

A rough estimate is 1000 EUR with paint and everything included which is about the same in USD 😄

[@user-nv5xs5qj7v]

Kudos for your work! A few technical questions. What is the reference of the paste you use to fill the holes in the wood? What is the reference of the undercoat of paint? Not sanding before painting the undercoat? Is the underlay on the edges of the MDF panels sufficient? We can't see well on the video, how do you round off the edge of the MDF panel? Thank you for your answers and see you soon for other videos I hope. Sincerely

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Hi! Thank you! It’s the same you’d use if you were repairing small holes in a wall to make sure it is smooth. You could also just use wood filler. Pretty much any kind of filler works! The undercoat is “Universal Heftegrunning” from the brand Jotun. I use it for all of my hacks and I never had any trouble with the paint chipping even if I haven’t sanded the surface before priming 😊 I don’t understand the question about the underlay on the edges of the MDF panels. Can you please explain further? For the rounded edges we used an edge router from BOSCH. I’ve linked it below in the description. You’re welcome! Thank you so much 🫶🏼

[@ericalane7220]

Extremely helpful, thank you!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

You’re welcome 🙏🏼

[@Practice_Kindness-1st]

How is it that you don't have way more subscribers on your channel?! Both you & your husbands workmanship and taste are flawless and timeless! From the color choice, to the finishings, this room would be worthy of Architectural Digest! Admirable! Just subscribed & now following you on Instagram 🥰

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you for telling me this, wow. Such a nice comment!! I’m so glad to hear that, thank you so much! It means a lot 🫶🏼

[@CLEASWORLD]

Looks beautiful!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@hadesandpersephonebook]

Wow! These are beautiful!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you 🤍

[@daleduerden1185]

Beautiful well done

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@rhondavlogs]

Great hacks! Thanks for sharing!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you, you’re welcome!

[@thibautmenoux9659]

Thank you for the video! What videos would you recommend about CAULKING? Even if it is not in English, I'll use a translator... Thank you!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

You’re welcome! I actually don’t have any specific recommendations about that. But there are lots of them 😄

[@luckiestwomen]

absolutely stunning ...love your house ...tthe light and floors and furniture looks great .I also love the birds on the ceiling and the round decoration .Amazing ...did you put the birds ? and if so where did you get those .I live in USA but I am visiting Europe often

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much 🙏🏼🤍 I love the birds as well! They’re made of plaster and was put up by a Danish company called Møller Stuk, they’ve made all of the decorations in the ceiling ☺️

[@ekaterinatrifonova8611]

Hi Katja, thank you for such an amazing video! My question is about paint. At first glance, it feels like the whole construction paint color is the same as the walls. Is it true? I'd like to understand if was it done intentionally or if the colors are still slightly different? I'm curious to know what you think would be the best choice - keep them all one color (walls + bookshelves/cabinets) or make it different (of course, per your style)? Appreciate your response! Keep up with a great job - you're a true inspiration!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you for such an amazing comment 🙏🏼 you’re way too kind 🫶🏼 they are the same color, yes, but the walls are matte and the bookshelves are semi glossy so the tone is a little different. It was done internationally, yes. I’d probably always go for painting all of it in the same color. The glossy paint makes the bookshelves stand out from the walls and I think that’s enough. I like to add contrast with the items that I place on the bookshelves instead 😄

[@user-jn1cl9qh4w]

Hello I love what you did! Thank you for the inspiration I decided to do it in my home I just have one question: did you paint everything? If yes, was It before or after assembling everything ? Thank you :) Noemie, from France

[@KatjaNordkvist]

I painted it after everything was assembled and after I caulked and primed it 😄

[@v.b.271]

What did you used for caulking? Is it silicone? Also, the brownish glue to paste the wood molding is specific for wood? Thank you

[@santaclausnm]

amazing!! thx for sharing!!!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thanks! You’re welcome ☺️

[@leilasundberg]

Outstanding! 👏👏👏👏

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you 🫶🏼

[@tiadrumgold4702]

So nice! Well done love the edger.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you!

[@dimitrifotop]

STUNNING!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much!

[@mariettemayisa]

beautiful! defiantly what I was thinking about doing, but didn't know where to start! Side note, please can you share the flooring details. thank you.

[@jet7865]

Fabulous

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@bethyoung3654]

Beautiful

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@mersammut1228]

Love this Ikea hack! Just a question how do they knoxhult cabinets hold up under the "weight" of the styles bookshelves? From the video they look like wall cabinets used as base cabinets for this hack.

[@PetaDavies-cx1ux]

great video

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you 🫶🏼

[@astrik5236]

Looks great! 😊

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you 😄🙏🏼

[@AlittleHamsterKM]

Looks beautiful 💞💞

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much 🫶🏼

[@theroosha]

Great job. Will give it a try. What's the soundtrack please? Thanks.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thanks!! That sounds great 😄 It’s called Dreaming Out Loud by Middle and End

[@jhoelzler]

🔥🔥🔥

[@KatjaNordkvist]

♥️

[@catherinepacini646]

Hi what a great video and finish result is flawless. I'm going try this myself. Can you tell me if you used wall or floor knoxhult cabinets or does it matter. Thanks

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much! I actually think the one we used is a wall cabinet. But no, it shouldn’t matter as long as it’s the right dimensions 😄

[@vivienuk]

Hi what ikea units did you use/ that I need to buy? It’s not in the video info…

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Knoxhult ( 40 x 75 cm) and Billy (the height that fits your project) ☺️

[@Bexb10]

In Australia we call them Barrel Drum Screws

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you! Apparently they have many names. That’s probably why I couldn’t find a definitive answer anywhere 😅

[@Bexb10]

@@KatjaNordkvist I couldn’t find the right ones at our hardware stores and had to go into IKEA and got some for their spare parts section. They were the wardrobe versions as they don’t make them specifically for the Billy’s.

[@ingridqz5697]

Nice n easy

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thanks!

[@MM-bw1lo]

Looks great

[@robertbridgen2950]

Amazing hack

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you!

[@Connie4580]

Great job and detailed explanations are fab! New subscriber

[@KatjaNordkvist]

That means so much, thank you for letting me know 🫶🏼

[@bebe950]

Thank you for your video and your explanation 😊 I did not understand the paint you used, is it the same color as the furnitures? And did you paint everything or just the places that needed to be painted? Thank you 😊😊

[@KatjaNordkvist]

You’re welcome 😄 I painted everything, and no it’s a slightly warmer white tone than the furniture itself and it’s also more glossy!

[@bebe950]

Thank you for your answer 😊 it’s the best billy hack I have seen, it’s so beautiful! I will try that in my home :) What size of wood would you recommend for the platform?

[@howardpennpenn]

Thanks for that!

[@mariaannaadamiuk1291]

Hi, sorry perhaps this is a really stupid question, I never did anything like that before, but am planning on to soon, as I will be moving into a new place. One thing I always see in videos like this, but there is never any explanation to it, is the very first step - building a platform. Why is it important to have a platform? What could happen if I were to just place the units on the floor directly? Ikea recommends putting its furniture directly on the floor, so I am very confused at this step? Thanks in an advance for the explanation and help :)

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Hi! This is a great question, and very relevant, it’s not stupid at all! We made a platform because we wanted to put a baseboard at the bottom of the whole thing for a nice finish and because we wanted the cabinets to be at a specific height, and these specific cabinets (Knoxhult) don’t have a built in platform because they’re actually wall cabinets, so it seemed logical to place them on a platform because otherwise the cabinet door would scratch the floor 😄

[@mathildalolarsson]

Hi, what a lovely DIY project. We are doing something similar in our apartment as well. I have a question about the doors/fronts: Did you build them yourself from a piece of wood, or did you use a door/front from Ikea or elsewhere as a base and then add the details? If so, could you tell me which front you chose? I think the Oxberg doors that come with Billy bookcases are too tall; your doors look so good!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you so much! The cabinets are called Knoxhult and they are also from IKEA. They come with doors and I just used those and added the details 😊

[@mathildalolarsson]

@@KatjaNordkvistthank you for the information!

[@debhodgens676]

Beautiful! We built our pantry with IKEA Billies! Does anyone know if we could cut into the middle of the Billies? I have a relatively small space-less than 84 inches because we are avoiding a door that swings into the room. I would like to put a 43 inch tv on the cabinet bases with the doors and have shelving above. If they are secured to the wall and each other, can we cut into the sides?

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Yes, I think you could! As long as it’s stable and yes, secured to the wall it should be fine. Thank you so much 🙏🏼 Billies can be used for sooo many different project, they’re great!

[@lishr4536]

if you flipped the bookcase sideways , which doors did you have to buy to fit that?

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Can you elaborate? I don’t understand the question 😅

[@howardpennpenn]

That's fabulous!❤ Did it weaken the structure of the billy bookcases by cutting off the bottom? I'd like to add a bit of height to a run, but worried about shortening them.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you! We attached our billys to the wall and to the cabinets underneath so they’re totally stable, no problem at all ♥️

[@youarekinq]

Hej Katja Ved du om Knoxhult stadig sælges eller om man i stedet kan bruge et alternativt skab? Super fin video, tak :)

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Tak! Det gøre de: www.ikea.com/dk/da/p/knoxhult-vaegskab-med-lage-hvid-50326789/ Men ellers tænker jeg, at man også kan bruge IVAR skabene, men synes klart det bliver pænest med Knoxhult 😄

[@youarekinq]

@@KatjaNordkvist Tak for hurtigt svar. Jeg måde have overset dem på hjemmesiden :) God dag :)

[@user-so9fk8uf7y]

Looks amazing and great tutorial. Would you tell me what colour paint you used?

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you! Yes, it’s called Hvit Komfort and it’s from a brand called Jotun 😊

[@alexanderbernhoftosa3277]

Hei Katja. Veldig fin løsning 😊.Jeg forsøker å finne Platsa cabinet på IKEA nå,men kan ikke finne det? Har du en link? Hva er målene på skapene i bunnen? Ellers takk for en fin video 👏

[@dfsdferfsd]

Great work!! wich Knoxhult door did you used? I can't find the right size

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thanks! The door comes with the cabinet ☺️

[@Mikeboogie83]

Hej Katja, super god video! Malede du hele billy reloen indvendig og udvendig efter du havde skjult hullerne med spartel og givet den grunder?

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Hej, tusind tak! Ja, det gjorde jeg ☺️

[@Mikeboogie83]

@@KatjaNordkvist Tak for svar. Brugte du samme dybe Billy som Knoxhult? Det ligner lidt din Billy er 28 dyb og Knoxhult er 40...

[@Tnaunau]

Did the doors come in that design or did you DIY them? I love their look!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

I did DIY them! It’s also shown later in the video 😄 thank you so much!

[@maevest.courtney3004]

Is there a list of materials you used? I know there must be but I am not seeing it and would like to. Thank you.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

- BILLY bookcases 40 x 202 cm - KNOXHULT cabinets (or another IKEA Cabinet that has a 40 or 80 cm width) - UTRUSTA push openers - MDF 12 mm for the sides, the top and the bottom - MDF 6 mm to decorate the cabinet doors - Moldings for the cabinet doors - Moldings for the crown - Moldings to attach between each bookcase for extra decoration (optional) - Small baseboard - Screws - Chicago screws - Wood filler - Sandpaper - Acrylic caulk - Wood glue/or any other kind of strong glue - Masking tape - Primer (I used Jotun Heftegrunning Universal) - Wood paint, medium glossy (I used Supreme finish from Jotun) And of course the tools shown in the video. I’ve linked the different types of moldings we’ve used in the description box 😄

[@maevest.courtney3004]

Thank you SO much, @KatjaNordkvist

[@jayakrishnant6013]

Hey amazing hack and kudos to your work. One question from me - What screw you used to attach book case bottom to the platform wood? I have seen these book cases split /crack when screwed to wood or something ?

[@henririon]

Congrats on the great job! Impressive what you did ! Would you have the exact reference / model / name of the cabinet you are using for your hack? thanks a lot

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you! Yes, they’re called Knoxhult ☺️

[@henririon]

@@KatjaNordkvist thank you for your reply! Yes, I already saw that, but I wanted the exact reference, since I cannot find the one you are using...

[@Icanlearnkidschannel]

Beautiful but what color and paint company is the bookcase?

[@KatjaNordkvist]

It’s called White Comfort/Hvit Komfort and it’s from a brand called Jotun. I don’t know the color code but you can Google the brand and name of the color and probably find it that way 😊

[@dianacoburn8269]

what about your beautiful ceiling how did you do it. Love the little birds

[@KatjaNordkvist]

The birds and the ceiling were done by a company that makes traditional stucco decorations 😄

[@smithiega]

Did you add the fluting to the panels in your doors that go between rooms? I noticed some doors in your home have it and some don't.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Yes, only the double doors have the fluting! But no I didn’t add it myself, they’re the same brand (Swedoor) as the other doors but different models 😊

[@adammakarowicz283]

Could you say what is model name of the fluted one?

[@cyclist20]

where did you get the birds on the ceiling? love them

[@KatjaNordkvist]

I love them too! They’re from a company called Møller Stuk. They did all of the decorations in our ceilings

[@shiloduffy3060]

What depth are the KNOXHULT cabinets? And which height are the BILLY?

[@SaffireAnimation]

This was definitely better recorded and documented video than the first video which you did in your old house. I especially liked the part where you all attached the base of Billy bookshelf to top of the mdf platform by clipping off the nail head. That was very intelligent of you. Also the use of L brackets are helpful that would save a lot of effort and time. These were some of the best part of this video. I have been looking for Billyboard ikea hacks since a week and majority of the videos are too complicated that would require big tools and super skillsets...I can say this video is easy to follow and relatively has easier steps than others. Question - I am trying to do something similar on an 12 feet wide by 11 feet tall wall that will have 31 inch shelves. Do you recommend any method that would avoid sagging of the shelves over time? Your answer will genuinely help my design. Thank you...and you gained a subscriber :)

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you! Yes, the first one was more meant for inspirational purposes. Thank you, that was my husbands idea! I thought it was great too! Depending on how thick each shelf is you could drill holes in them and attach them to the walls with floating shelf brackets like these www.amazon.com/ZXHAO-Nickel-Plated-Floating-Brackets-Concealed/dp/B07GL1VDRC/ref=mp_s_a_1_44?keywords=Floating+Shelves+Brackets&qid=1692013208&sr=8-44

[@mitzibutler6415]

🙏🏻

[@rikaphryxus5110]

Chicago Screws

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you!

[@notAsoccerMom]

Do you need the wooden base?

[@KatjaNordkvist]

I’d say yes for two reasons: proper support but mostly to avoid the cabinet doors scraping against the floor when you open them!

[@notAsoccerMom]

@@KatjaNordkvist Thank you!

[@2mkstudio]

A beautiful job but wouldn’t it have been easier- and better looking- to build the entire dookcase from scratch? (For example, you could have run a shelf along the top of the door.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you! Yes, we actually considered letting the bookcase go above the door frame as well, and we had figured out a way to do it even with the bookcases from IKEA, but in the end we decided against it, because we would rather put an ornament on top of the door frame later on.

[@jagan2]

I wonder if anyone has ever thought of using the shelves with wood veneer together with the white frame of Billy. I think it would make a nice contrast the wood with the white, but I haven't seen any photos of such combinations

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Interesting thought! I don’t think I’ve ever seen that combination either 🤔

[@jagan2]

@@KatjaNordkvist yes. Not even Ikea is showing that combination, while they do it for Besta (at least they combine the different doors with the white body of the highboard). Perhaps the fitting of the pieces of Billy is not so precise, and using different colors /styles would make it look less tidy. Btw, your hack is beautifully done! I see that you have filled all the gaps with filling materials like grout. This together with the work on the doors made it look very high quality!

[@SarahDobson]

Those look like machine screws. Which are effectively the ones that a nut would fit on.

[@pansepot1490]

I understand putting all that work to try and improve a plain room with zero character, but when your living room already has fabulous finishes and looks straight out of a magazine imo an ikea hack like that only spoils the effect. I am no architect so I don’t know what kind of bookshelf would fit that space but ikea hack ain’t it. Personally I am not a fan of large swathes of open shelving: collects too much dust. Did you think about that? Ofc it doesn’t matter if you like it and can afford the time/money for keeping it clean. Cheers.

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you for your comment and nice words about my living room 🙏🏼 I love doing hacks like this and I think they add a lot of personality to any home no matter what that home looks like ☺️ but I totally get where you’re coming from! Yes, I did think about that and the shelves actually don’t collect as much dust as you’d think. I had even more open shelving in my previous home and it wasn’t too much work 😅

[@jenniferbateman2089]

Those are called post screws!!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thanks! Apparently they have a million different names 😅

[@forevergogo]

Looks like a pain to dust!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

It isn’t ☺️👍🏼

[@GOLDFOLDS1]

those are chicago screws

[@gloriagarcia-lara171]

🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thank you!

[@GOLDFOLDS1]

i would have... made the boxed shelves four high... then backed shelves and introduce a FRENCH CLEAT... THUS FLOATING THIS HACK. would look better imo. way too many squares. too busy.

[@grzegorzcaputa]

Super!

[@KatjaNordkvist]

Thanks!