DIY IKEA Built In Storage Cabinets on a Budget

These IKEA built-ins were made by combining wardrobes and bookcases to create a full wall of practical hidden storage. A place for everything, and everything in its place.

Here is how we transformed an unused room into a hardworking storage space for games, craft supplies, media, and everyday family items without using a bulky entertainment center. Here is another IKEA hack using Billy bookcases and trim.

When we moved into our home last summer, we quickly realized that we needed more creative storage. Our house was originally built for four people, not seven, so we had to make every room work harder. After unpacking the bedrooms and living room, everything else ended up in the formal dining room. Many families use a formal dining room regularly, but we have always eaten in the kitchen dining area, so this room was basically open space waiting for a purpose.

We went back and forth about how to use the room and finally decided it needed to become a storage room with plenty of shelves and closed cabinets. We wanted one place for board games, DVDs, craft supplies, office items, and other family essentials. That is a lot to ask from a single space, especially because this room is the first area you see when you walk into the house.

Many IKEA Billy bookcase hacks rely on open shelving. I could have purchased several Billy bookcases and added the glass doors IKEA offers, but I did not want all of our storage visible. This project was meant to provide hidden storage while still looking clean and intentional. The final design gave us a good balance: decorative open shelves on the sides and functional cabinet storage behind wardrobe doors in the center.

How to Decide Which Items to Purchase for IKEA Built-Ins

I spent hours planning a semi-custom wall of IKEA built-ins that would work for our family. The IKEA design program was not as helpful as I had hoped. It froze more than once, and I had to start over completely. It also did not allow me to easily mix products from different categories. I wanted to combine bedroom wardrobes with office-style bookcases, but the program would not let me place both types of items together in one digital layout.

In the end, I created a rough plan for the wall of storage, and my husband started the building process. Every room is different, so measurements and product combinations will vary. I am sharing the items we used at the bottom of this post so you can use them as a starting point and adjust the design to fit your own space.

How to Customize IKEA Built-Ins from Wardrobes and Bookcases

He built a platform for the wardrobes and bookcases to sit on. This gave the entire wall unit a more built-in appearance and made it easier to frame everything out with trim.

Our built-in unit does not go all the way to the ceiling. There was not enough space to add another row of cabinets or shelves, so I used wire baskets from Target above the units to hold fabric and other lightweight items. Leaving that gap also allowed us to keep the crown molding already installed near the ceiling.

Once the platform was ready, he assembled the wardrobes and bookcases and attached them securely. We added shelves, drawers, mesh baskets, and doors to make the storage as useful as possible.

When everything was assembled, the wall included two large wardrobes, three narrow wardrobes, and two narrow bookcases. We added doors and handles, then Derrick finished the sides with trim, caulk, wood filler, paint, and baseboards along the front.

Here Are the Finished Custom IKEA Built-Ins

The wardrobes are deeper than the bookcases, which makes them ideal for storing larger items like games, craft bins, and bulky supplies. Another advantage is that solid doors can be used on the wardrobes, which keeps the contents completely hidden. That is the main reason we did not use Billy bookcases across the entire wall.

The bookcases are shorter than the wardrobes, but IKEA offers extension kits that bring them closer to the same height. The bookcases also do not extend as far into the room as the center wardrobes, and I actually like the depth and dimension that creates. It keeps the wall from looking too flat and gives the finished built-ins a more custom look.

It took a couple of weeks of working here and there for Derrick to put everything together. Once the build was complete, I spent an entire day filling the cabinets and organizing all of our belongings.

When the doors are closed, the room feels clean, open, and uncluttered. Of course, we know how much is hidden behind those doors, but that was the goal. The game cupboard does not always stay as perfectly tidy as it did when we first finished the project, but that is real life with kids. At least everything can be tucked away out of sight.

Everything fit inside these IKEA built-ins with room to spare. This quickly became one of my favorite rooms in the house. I also love that the handles are high enough that the baby cannot reach them, so when the doors are shut, everything stays safely tucked away.

We added a small IKEA desk off to the side for the computer, creating a compact home office area. Our old dining table now works as a homework table and game table. I may eventually add a bench seat between the windows for even more storage.

Customizing these IKEA built-ins was a lot of work, but it was absolutely worth the effort. The room went from unused and cluttered to organized, functional, and attractive.

Items Needed to Make IKEA Built-Ins for an Entire Wall

2 Large Pax Wardrobes

3 Small Pax Wardrobes

7 Doors

Wide Shelves and Narrow Shelves

Mesh Baskets

Drawers

2 Narrow Billy Bookcases

2 Bookcase Extensions

Handles from Lowe’s, although similar handles and knobs can be found at most home improvement stores or on Amazon.

Dining Chairs from Walmart

With lumber, hardware, and trim, our total cost for these IKEA built-ins was around $1,300.

It was definitely an investment, but it solved a major storage problem for our family. These semi-custom IKEA built-ins gave us a full wall of hidden storage, made the room more useful, and created a feature that could be appealing if we ever sell the house.

If you have questions about making semi-custom IKEA built-ins with Pax wardrobes and Billy bookcases, I will do my best to answer them.

You might also like these organization projects:

Built-In Living Room Storage with IKEA Bookcases

Tiny and Tidy Closet Nursery