Linn’s built-in project is such a great reminder of how upgrading your bookshelves from furniture to attached “architecture” can really give an entire room a boost. Here’s her letter:
I wanted to share a before and after of custom made built-in bookcases which my husband and I constructed! Seeing how our old bookcases left much to be desired in terms of looks but also in terms of practical storage space, and not wanting to spend a fortune having someone else custom build shelves, we decided to take on the project ourselves.
I have always loved the cozy look that built-in shelving provides a home, it gives it so much more character and charm in my mind!
Creating these built-in units seemed a bit intimidating at first, but once we broke it down in parts, it was very manageable. We constructed two huge wooden structures outside in our carport / aka woodshop(!), painted them white, and brought them inside.
For backing we used beadboard which I think gives the shelving a really nice touch. Putting everything together and finishing it off with a fair amount of molding and caulk took a bit longer than I had anticipated, but it’s always the finishing touches that takes the longest, isn’t it?
Now these built in shelves look great in our space and we can fit so many more books which was really the main reason to build these units in the first place! – Linn
Care to humor me for a moment? Ok, scroll back up and look at the before pics. Doesn’t this room look a foot taller now? It’s amazing how ceiling height built-ins can elongate a room and make it feel so much more open. And the beadboard on the back is such a great touch. You can learn more about the project (and the building process behind it) over on Linn’s blog. And if you love this update as much as we do, but are intimidated by all of the construction that Linn and her husband did, you can also get a similar effect with off-the-shelf bookcases (like Ikea’s Billy bookcases) that you can just assemble and then upgrade with some trim and molding for that built-in look. Happy built-in building!
Psst- We picked our random winner for this week’s giveaway. Click here to see if it’s you.
Love the look of the built ins! They are gorgeous!
This looks awesome! If you wanted another zero dollar upgrade arrange the books by the color…it’s amazing how it changes them! Google around for images. I did this for a friend once on a small bookcase while she was out running and errand and she couldn’t believe the difference when she got back! Love the way this turned out!
That’s so much fun!
xo,
s
I did this as well but then I couldn’t find the books I wanted and went back to the dewy decimal system. Can you tell I have way too many books. lol
hahaha I do that with my DVD’s! And clothes, and well- everything else for that matter! I’m kinda OCD ;)
he he I did this and got so much teasing from my boyfriend for being ocd!!
What an awesome transformation! We’ve also been working on some built-ins of our own, and the result is amazing, too.
I am so inspired. We are closing on a house soon and I think some built-ins would be awesome…if they look as fabulous as these do.
Wondering where the couch and chair are from?? I am going to be in the market for some new seating too!
Great Job!
Here’s hoping she stops by with that info for ya!
xo,
s
I think they’re from Ikea. At least the chairs are – I have the same ones at home too. Really comfy and well-built (and not as much to assemble as ever other Ikea thing, haha)
I agree – they look exactly like a couch (and ottoman) I have from Ikea. Google for Ikea Ektorp if you get a chance! And check out the different – and washable – slip covers that go with them. :)
Looks great! We’re going to be doing something similar in our basement soon, which will both help add some storage space (right now we just have two normal bookshelves we already owned, which definitely doesn’t fill the space) as well as disguise the fact that the wall bumps out a bit right there (the bookshelf will look to be a constant depth from the front, but one half will be deeper than the other because of the wall – we can jhust use that half for larger books!).
This. Is. Amazing. !!
The rooms looks so much straighter and more structured just by these built ins. I totally want something like this.
I will recommend to my own clients, Thanks so much for sharing!
Lovely! Where are the white slipcovers from in the after photos?
Here’s hoping she drops in with that info!
xo,
s
Sweet! Such a simple project with major results!
I’ve been wanting to construct similar built-ins in our living room but we have those dang baseboard heaters on every wall. Booo!
The built ins are to die for! Gorgeous!!!!
I want to know where the fan came from?
Hope she drops in with that source for ya Kim!
xo
s
Oooh I was going to ask this as well! I’ve been in the market for a good but stylish fan!!
I loooove built ins! There are not enough in this house but I plan on changing that lol.
And btw, this looks great! Amazing difference!
They look so great! Timely too – we just did built-ins in our basement (via IKEA lol). I just did a blog post about it today, in fact. Not complete yet (need to get trimmed out) but in place and secured to the wall/other cabinets, etc. We can’t wait to get it finished!
They look amazing!
xo,
s
Amazing! I would love to do built ins next to my fireplace but don’t know where to start. Great job Linn! It really opens up that room!
Those look awesome!! I’m working on a similar thing right now, but we bought closet shelving from Home Depot to do it. We’re going to add molding and trim, so it will be nice to see a tutorial with tips.
I posted about it here, we’re still working on it though!
I love that inspiration pic so much! It’s really coming along!
xo,
s
It really does look taller!
This project looks like one I might even be able to convince my renovation-averse fiancee to tackle with me!
I really want to install some built in bookcases in my house because the first house we made an offer on had them but we were outbid. How can I figure out where to put them?
I would just walk around and try to pick a wall that makes the most sense and would bring a sense of balance. Maybe try using photoshop or a free site like floorplanner to envision them in different places by playing around with floor plans and different layouts? Good luck!
xo,
s
These built in’s are fabulous! Definitely the right way to go!
That room is so much taller now!!! ;) Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Those are gorgeous!
Gorgeous! And the room does look much taller.
Love the built-ins! They not only look great but also super functional with tons of storage. We hacked four extra-deep Ikea Billy bookcases and turned them into one giant wall-to-wall built-in shelf and cabinet. http://michellelalala.blogspot.com/p/basement.html
Amazing!!
xo,
s
look great! a cushy window seat in the middle would be a nice bonus!
love it! and perfect timing for this redesign… we’re preparing to start on our own built-in desk and built-in book case/entertainment project in our family room (http://alanna-wendt-to-tennessee.blogspot.com/2012/04/built-in-brainstorm.html) hope ours turns out as well as this one did!
Good luck Alanna!
xo,
s
Oh wow, you’re right. Those shelves make it look super tall in there and really opens that space up! Gotta love that!
These look great. I love that they give the room a custom feel.
We also just finished a project like what you describe at the end of the post. We used Billys (and height extension units to make them a full 8 ft tall) and added trim, it came out really nicely. I love them.
http://newlywedmcgees.blogspot.com/2012/04/our-finished-bookshelves.html
Gorgeous!
xo,
s
do you have any details as to how you did this? it looks fantastic!
You have know idea how excited I was to see this today! We are moving into a new place this weekend, and I have been dreaming about building built-ins for our new living room. The only potential wall for this has a window smack dab in the middle of it…and I have been scouring Pinterest for inspiration photos of built-ins surrounding a window. I haven’t really had much luck. Thank so so much for posting this! I will have to flood your inbox and let you see how they turn out!
Wahoo! So glad! Good luck with everything!
xo,
s
these are awesome but how did you neglect to mention the adorable polka-dotted archway?! so adorable!
Oh yes, the arch is sweet too!
xo,
s
Hi guys! This is Linn from The Home Project. I’m so happy to see my bookcases featured here on YoungHouseLove! Thanks for all the awesome comments and feedback! I love the way the bookcases came out too, not only are they making the room feel taller and more “structured”, we can also fit a ton of books (yay!)
The sofa as well as the chair and ottoman are from IKEA. We have the sleeper Ektorp sofa and Jennylund chair with white slipcovers.
The fan I ordered from Home Depot after seeing it somewhere online, love the nautical sail blades and how it’s white instead of dark like so many other fans around!
Anyways, thanks so much for all these sweet sweet comments!
Thanks for answering all those questions Linn! And for sending in your awesome redesign!
xo,
s
That is such a small change for such an amazing new look! I’m convinced- I want to build some built-ins for my living room. I am just floored- it does look taller and somehow bigger in all! Amazing!
I love the before and after … how the only change is the bookshelf! So many times, the entire room is redesigned, but here one can really see how much impact the built-ins gave.
Those look faboo! It’s always amazing to me how what you thought looked just fine before looks kinda, well … not, once you make a change.
Ooohhh. So pretty! Is there anything in this world that isn’t drastically improved with a little trim? (especially trim painted in white semi-gloss?)
Thanks so much for this timely post. I am presently renovating my hall bathroom and couldn’t figure out what to do with the window. I love the light coming in, but not the peep show I was putting out there. What a great idea; I’m on it!
Love it! Totally going to attempt this :)
These bookcases are fantastic! It has to be one of my favorite DIY projects! My husband and I just did the same floor-to-ceiling project with Billy bookcases, and they turned out pretty great (if I do say so myself?). I love the inspiration in blogland!
http://justagirlblog.com/billy-bookcase-complete/
Great job Linn! It really brightens the space (mostly from the clutter cut down from the looks of the before and after). Also makes the space more cozy and inviting. Love it and I will definitely consider built-ins for our house!
Holy macaroni! The room looks so tall! That one project made all the difference. Great work, Linn!
Those are amazing! I wish we had space to put those in our living room…. maybe the office.
Kacie
http://acollectionofpassions.com/
Just did some Billy bookshelf built ins last weekend. Two girls, some tools a plan and under $300.
Just a random question about your give aways–
Do you contact the winners or must they look back at your blog to find out if they won? Just curious and a lot hopeful that some day my name will appear as a winner.
We email them (sometimes our emails go to spam though, so some folks have learned they won by checking the blog!).
xo,
s
Amen to that. Putting a wall of built-in bookshelves in my living room was one of the first things we ever did to our house two years ago. We have loved them ever since!
Looks great! I didnt even notice the wonderful window in the before picture!
I love these built-ins. So well done!
I can hardly believe thats the same room… amazing how a kinda minor change made such a massive difference! And yeah, it DOES look a foot taller… and wider… and lighter. :)
I loved that they used their bookshelves for books and not “stuff”!!! I also love that they didn’t turn them backward, they didn’t wrap them in neutral or colorful papers,they let them be books! Call me a nerd, but I love books and there is nothing wrong with having loads of them to browse, refer to, and look at! As pretty as styled shelves are, these are timeless!
Great job! What a big difference that change makes visually to the room.
Wonderful idea!
I know this is off topic but I have to ask. I recently purchased a home that needs some TLC in the bathrooms and kitchen. Can you recommend any vendors/suppliers (either online or store) that you have purchased from in the past? I’m looking for kitchen appliances, cabinets, countertops, sinks and faucets. Any information you can pass my way would be great! Thanks!
Hmm, we have had luck just waiting for big seasonal sales on appliances at big box stores like Home Depot. We have also gotten tile for bathroom and kitchen redos at Home Depot and The Tile Shop, places like overstock.com are great for scoring deals on faucets and hardware and showerheads and stuff (along with ebay). And we have found kitchen cabinets for both our built in office desk and our kitchen redo at a secondhand chain called The Habitat For Humanity ReStore (just google them to find their nearest location to you). Good luck!
xo,
s
Lovely, just lovely! I love the desk they put at the window. The sofa, chair and ottoman look like IKEA Ektorp to me. Nice contrast the white with the leather chair and dark table. This feels like a very cozy room now. What a difference!
As a giant word nerd, I have always dreamed of floor to ceiling book shelves just like these. Sigh. So pretty.
I thought the room looked taller before I even read the caption to the final photo. Wonderful plus to installing the built ins! Love you blog, especially!