Dining Room Makeover with IKEA Billy Bookcases & Sandberg Wallpaper
This project has not been one of my quickest ones; that is for sure! I started planning this dining room makeover almost a year ago. I didn’t dis-like this space, but I knew it could be better. Our kitchen isn’t the largest and I was really wanting some more storage. I went back and forth between having a contractor do custom built-ins but after our addition to the back of our house; I figured I’d better make this a diy project! At the end of last year, I saw that IKEA had a free shipping offer which typically NEVER happens so I decided it was now or never and purchased 2 IKEA billy bookcases. And at the beginning of this year started on this dining room makeover!
(Sidenote: I linked everything I could at the end of this post!)
Before
Billy Bookcases
This was my first furniture purchase from IKEA and I was a little worried that the bookcases would be hard to put together. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were actually some of the easiest furniture pieces I have ever assembled. VERY EASY! YAY!
The shelves are adjustable which I appreciate.
I purchased a height extension piece for both cases; it attached right on top. I would’ve loved to have the cases go all the way up to the ceiling but settled with this height.
One thing I did to make the bookcases look more like a built-in piece was attaching a 1 x 2 board on the ends with a nail gun straight into the wall to cover the seam between the wall and case. And then I did A LOT of caulking. That is what really helps give the illusion of them being custom. This was the last step of the project.
Wallpaper
After my cases were assembled it was time to choose which wallpaper to go with. Sandberg wallpaper has SO many beautiful options; I purchased these 6 samples and after a day or two with them up on the wall, I knew which one I wanted to do.
Pivoting of Plans
After wallpapering and living with these open bookcases for a while, I decided I wanted to add doors for a cleaner look. No free shipping this time (sadness) – but I ordered these 4 panel glass doors and 4 glass doors for the top additions. Like the bookcases, these were very easy to install.
Dining Room
Can you even believe how good this turned out?!?! This dining room space is now cozy, inviting and I LOVE having all of this extra storage!
I adore this wallpaper. Absolutely adore. Like SO much. I love it. It is the style Linnea in Misty Blue. I purchased 2 rolls and also the wallpaper glue on their site. The glue comes in a powder form and you mix it with water so make sure you have a bucket ready to go! (Did you know I love the wallpaper?!) HAHA! I find wallpaper that you have to paste is easier to work with than stick and peel. Definitely is more permanent but in this case, I have no plans on changing this so was fine with the permanency.
Light Fixture
Light fixtures are one item that can overwhelm me when looking online because there are SO many options. I have learned to not overthink it and when I find something I love, I just go for it. When I saw this Warren Linear 3-Light Chandelier from West Elm I knew it was the one. Affordable, classic while also leaning modern. And it fit this space PERFECT!
If you can add a settee type seating in your dining room, I highly, highly recommend. You can even look for a small couch! I like to think of restaurants when designing a dining room. What makes them cozy and intimate? A settee gives instant coziness!
I had enough wallpaper to do our ceiling and I’m so glad I did! I love this blue color next to natural wood.
It’s crazy to think there used to be a sliding glass door here in this opening for 10 years!
You can usually find a vase of fresh flowers on our dining room table. I cut these stems off of one of our trees. Nature is beautiful.
Thank you so much for stopping by! I linked everything I could for you guys!
Links
solid wood trestle dining table – We’ve had this table for almost 4 years and I still love it as much as I did when I purchased it. Solid wood. Very affordable. Will never go out of style.
navy blue area rug – This is definitely a fun area rug- colors are so pretty!
indoor woven chairs – I purchased these chairs when I bought the table and we still love them. they are very comfortable and have held up really nice over the years.
Ikea billy bookcases – These are amazing. I just love the versatility of them and how you can customize them.
Ikea height extension unit – Attach right on top of your bookcase; love the extra height these add.
Oxberg panel glass door – These doors are gorgeous and allow me to showcase some of my decor while also hiding items I don’t necessarily want seen.
Oxberg glass door for extension unit – Added doors to the top extension unit as well.
Hardware for Bookcases – I found these on Amazon and they really helped elevate these bookcases.
Knobs for bookcases – I used these knobs on the extension units.
Light Fixture – Obsessed with this light fixture and it’s very affordable!