Turn your IKEA Billy into a Built-In Display! Billy Bookcase Modification and Lighting Tutorial

Get the built-in look for less with this tutorial! With the discontinuation of the Detolfs I think Billy Bookcases with the Hogbo doors are a great alternative!
Hi everyone! Today I'm back to show you how I took the absolute disaster that was the Billy Bookcase build-off and turned it into these gorgeous displays! I hope you enjoy this more vlog-style tutorial and get some inspiration from yourselves! Let me know what you think in the comments below!
As always thanks for watching!
Gwyn
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[@InfamyOrDeath-__-]

Yea you made the right choice, they look so much better with the backs taken out, and it’s not even close, it looks 100x better, makes such a big difference.

[@Oddy37]

I CANNOT wait for the updated collection video and the room tour!

[@cosplaydevotee]

I am SO excited to watch this process. Imagine having a clean slate room to make your own!

[@alyssac1962]

I see a lot of collectors splurge on their collections, but then overlook/cheap out on how they *display* and care for their collections, and it disappoints me a little. A good display setup makes the collectibles shine! So I see the meticulous care and attention to detail you've put into building this setup as such an act of love and respect to your collection. Your labor of love is going to pay off, this room is going to look phenomenal!

[@Tearituplikewasabi]

Blame inflation not the people

[@myne5689]

This is very inspirational to me. I've just bought a small one-bedroom condo and will be moving in a month. It's the first property I've ever owned. I live in Canada too, and I'm considering doing this because Billy bookcases are more space-efficient than Detolfs. Plus, I think it looks fantastic. However, I'll only use two or three shelves at most, as I have limited space. I wish I had help or was as skilled in design and building as you are. What you've done looks truly beautiful.

[@InfamyOrDeath-__-]

I love your Soul Eater jumper, it’s so cool.

[@racherutheneko7270]

Finally moving out on my own next month and came back to this video for inspiration. I plan on getting the 40cm depth one which Ikea don't sell glass shelves for so plan to get acylic cut to fit and use the glass shelf brackets. Was so lost on how to do lighting. Will be an investment so will probably get the shelves, then get the clear shelves and doors later on.

[@KarlKernebeck]

Those shelves r turning out insanely awesome so far. Can't wait to see them all finished❤

[@InfamyOrDeath-__-]

Great job Gwyn, the cases look incredible, the collection will look so cool now.

[@anatoria1849]

They look so great!! I cannot wait to see everything!

[@Animaxx010]

Girl this is so cool!!! Thanks for sharing this with us!!❤❤❤

[@noahlewis1123]

I just ordered 2 Billy bookcases and the hogbo doors 2 days ago. This gets me even more excited, I can't wait to get them set up.

[@richardchrzanowski5414]

Love the inspiration for our own collection!!! Love the new set up too!!

[@helenatrepka9614]

I love seeing the process and I am so excited for you. I recently moved house as well and I was finally able to paint the walls the color I want, get new bookshelves and I know how exciting and rewarding that process is, can't wait to see how it looks when it's all done!

[@CourageousGoldfish]

They look great, Gwyn!!

[@PabloAmore]

Looks good! Can't wait for the outcome!

[@Wolfhailstorm]

These came out amazing! Was watching whilst building my library shelves ^^

[@sayanacarrasco4618]

SO SO SO jealous of your figure collection space and storage!!!! It looks so pretty!!!

[@Hikari_28]

I'm so excited to see the finished room😭✨

[@valeviix]

love the process, having a good setup really makes your collection shine!! watching your videos really inspires me to grow my own collection and value the few figures I have now :D

[@halfiecafe]

your collection has come so far! i can’t wait for the tour ahh!

[@th3fall0f3den]

Super dope! Im also planning on the Billy+Hogbo combo and it was cool to see the glass shelves option. Keep it up Gwyn!

[@chrislester9465]

Looks amazing!

[@kira1600]

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE ROOM TOUR

[@thanamechanges]

Wow, the collection is lookin good 👍 great hob on the modification. It looks sooooo good my new years resolution is to get my collection all set-up and looking good. Just got my Konan statue and gonna pay off my kisame in february!

[@thedorkydeviant]

Looking Awesome! Cant wait to see what the next video is! The hard work definitely pays off! :D

[@BodhiRook]

I have billy-Hogbo too! mine is airtight, lovely to see your collection getting a proper home :)

[@kinggnu2340]

omg your display is looking amazing! this vid has been a great inspo for when i move out, ur display has many details that i love and will defs use!!! I know the cost adds up, but changing your display set up is such a hassle to do so might as well put in the effort and money for your ideal display! this vid has been very insight & has great tips!!!

[@epacho1]

It looks so good already holy shit

[@stefflynn7857]

New setups are always so exciting! The hub lighting is so convenient and I super love that the doors give you the ability to cover up your lewd figures and put art on the doors 😍

[@williejones5619]

Hi Gwen. Awesome job on the book cases. For your cable mgmt, you can go to Lowes or Home Depot electrical section. They have longer cable mgnt tunes. Keep up the good work. Love your videos.

[@lorenzoaquino5138]

What a fantastic idea. I've been searching for alternatives since they discontinued the Detolfs this year, the other option being the Milsbo cabinets.

[@hathatfigures3663]

I personally like the Ikea Rudsta I think it's the best for PVC figures and you can modify them to stack ontop of each other. I did a two part video on it called ikea rudsta mega modify cabinet

[@riosqaartworks]

I recommend closing off any gap between the wall and the cases from the top, because other wise the dust will fall in.

[@azriphale9967]

It looks stunning! I think I would have elevated the taller book cases to where the shelves matched up with the recess part though so that the ledge of the wall can be used in conjunction with the shelves for some of the larger base figures. This is stunning Gwen!

[@kofipang]

Lovin that Death sweater (the purple seeeeriously looks DAMN good on you)

[@lb_collector]

I'm wondering what made me more jealous.. your incredible new set up, or your soul eater sweater xD It looks soo incredibly good and i'm SOOO not good with DIY stuff. I love and admire your work and i'm really happy you finally getting your dream set up!!

[@themilkpirate6287]

This moving series is exciting to me because I am going to be moving my nearly 10k usd collection from the east coast to the west coast soon! Any sort of advice you can provide on moving a collection will be absolute gold to me :)

[@DrAhmedIdris]

Oh so many nice ideas. Thank you for sharing. I've been struggling with finding alternatives to the detolf and I'm not sure which route should I go with. This video was very helpful. Do you mind sharing the links for the different stuff you used? Whether in a comment or in the description, would really appreciate that. Also congrats on the move! Seems like an amazing place/setup.

[@Rodark_GR]

this is gonna look great! i also have to change stuff in my room to include need figures. and i gotta buy some govvees the current lighting i have is meh at best

[@thuy8735]

While I love the look without the back, but how is the dust situation without it? Please keep us updated!

[@layla.-.1078]

This is gonna be epic I just know lol

[@Hikari_28]

That Miku figure with the umbrella! omgg

[@InfamyOrDeath-__-]

I never even thought of turning the book cases into cases, I didn’t know you could buy glass doors & shelves that fit straight into them.

[@bambooex]

The moment you mentioned getting glass shelves when you already had the doors installed I knew you would encounter trouble LOL. Im assuming you had help in installing the doors, because it wasnt easy doing it alone on my own. Then when I realised I couldnt adjust the glass shelves with the doors installed I just stood there being sad. Suggest covering the top backside of your billys to prevent dust from entering from behind. Trying to clean dust off all the cables and hubs is gonna be a huge pain. Great video!

[@fubadas]

Let's goooooooo new Gwyn video 😊

[@fubadas]

The new collection room is going to be insane 👀👀👀👀

[@fubadas]

Dad collects let's gooooooooooooooooo

[@fubadas]

I like em without backs as well, the green coming out blends well with the white shelves and the outlet being easier to access is brilliant

[@fubadas]

Them all lined up look so gooooddddd !!!!!

[@fubadas]

The billy bonanza 😂😂😂

[@NeverEverAlexEver]

Don’t get me wrong, loved the video… but I ran to find your Soul Eater sweater. It was the true star of the show 🤣 Found it for $20 on AliExpress. Now, I sit and wait for delivery 😭

[@12k.collects]

Honestly had so much fun watching this video since I’m shifting and planning to buy the smaller Billy with the new doors! Just curious, do the support clips for the separate glass shelf come along with it or do you have to buy it separately?

[@GwynCollects]

The support clips come with!

[@Rocky32189]

That looks like a huge room

[@eletronic_parsnip877]

Dang.. That new Miku tho.

[@MightyJabbasCollection]

I agree that it looks nice without the backing, but typically this kind of shelf gets most of its stability from the back. Hopefully having them all butted up against each other like this will make that a non-issue for you, but it's worth noting for people who might just want one of these as a standalone shelf.

[@mikepimentel3617]

Great job on the video. One question. What size dimension glass shelves did you get for the billy cabinets?

[@GwynCollects]

They are the extra glass Billy shelves from Ikea! They are 76 cm by 26 cm

[@felixgreenwood8817]

Looks awesome! But what happened to Azusa? 😰

[@NoFutureZine]

Where did you get that kid death sweater??

[@ignacho2267]

Wow

[@austinencarnacion7469]

cool

[@omega592008171980]

The things we do for toys.

[@chantzxcx]

That K-on shelf tho 😮‍💨

[@grey57]

Im so jealous I cant wait to move into a house

[@genefrisby5578]

10k likes for you awe.

[@HarryBaalzach]

Yep, as everyone says, backless was a good decision. Looks classy. The cases and doors are excellent, can’t imagine a better way to fill a big wall. Lighting tho… I don’t think one strip per cabinet is enough. The bottom shelves are dark. Also, putting the strips a few inches in causes some shadow issues where figures with bangs or umbrellas or hats have dark faces. I put my lighting right at the front to minimise this, and angled the strips backwards 30 degrees to throw light back as well as down. I also use a strip for every shelf. Even then, I try to put short figures further back to get better illumination. I’m sure you’ll find your own solutions, it’s early days still. Ganbare!

[@GwynCollects]

I definitely agree it is a bit darker further down, but I don't want to have to deal with all the cables if I light every shelf haha. My plan is to use these to display the bulk of my collection and then my detolfs with the full lighting will highlight my fave figures!

[@HarryBaalzach]

@@GwynCollects Not judging, your collection is way bigger than mine. Until you show the final (for now, new stuff will always be coming) room tour I have no idea how it will all work out! But after 7 years evolving my bespoke display I thought it may help to share. Also, I’m a bit linear thinking and like all the faces lit, but anyone with imagination can use the shadows creatively. I look forward to seeing your progress.

[@tarikwaril8848]

Hotter than ever ❤

[@triplea25]

Hits.... u go girl

[@kechazatsu2316]

Those ikea shelfs cost more than my scale figures combined.

[@CC-nt4zi]

Where’s Asuza in your K-On shelf???

[@alissonvitsi]

Another great video! Sometimes I get scared... you are me, but in a female version, both in appearance and in tastes.

[@kofipang]

Kudos on that amazing cable/lighting arrangement there, I think I'd go insane, but the sneak peek of the results makes it all worth. Lookin forward to the updated collection tour ୧⁠(⁠＾⁠ ⁠〰⁠ ⁠＾⁠)⁠୨

[@lonesoul663]

I wish I had the space and money.

[@BKDDY]

Why not Ikea Besta?

[@Mandi_Hui]

Wow 🤩 such a big room for all your collection. Is it a basement room? The doorway there looks like is at the bottom of the house. Not many countries have it is very uncommon. Depending on climates in your country with Ireland there is alot of floods. As it gets alot of heavy rain weather. Also countries with earthquakes wouldn’t have a basement either. For me i prefer a 3 story home and like my rooms in a higher level. Where is common most homes people transfer there attic an extra room space.

[@GwynCollects]

Basements are very common in Canada! This is actually a bi-level so the basement is half above ground!

[@funnylittlecreature5467]

so much money.....o///o but it looks awesome.

[@jocman7339]

Lack of imagination (overal) .... but it's not me .... enjoy the shelfs... On a bright side... on walls behind figures is nice touch.