Before & After: This IKEA BILLY is a stylish storage solution in a minimalist mudroom

The Swedish icon has had a makeover – and functionality has never felt so fashionable

IKEA BILLY mudroom hack
(Image credit: Stephanie Lidin / @henrikjunehome)
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The IKEA BILLY is no stranger to a makeover – but this transformation is one of the most unrecognizable to date. 

This IKEA hack comes courtesy of Stephanie Lidin (@henrikjunehome), a British Columbia-based designer who turned the icon into a sleek storage system that is perfect for her mudroom. The result? A bespoke built-in with a Scandi-minimalist aesthetic – that pays homage to the unit's heritage. 

But what did the process behind this stylish storage idea involve? Here, the designer reveals the secret behind the fashionable flatpack. 

IKEA BILLY hack – Before

IKEA BILLY mudroom hack

(Image credit: Stephanie Lidin / @henrikjunehome)

'We needed to introduce better functionality in our garage as it is the main way our family enters our home,' Stephanie says. The designer used her existing BILLY units, as pictured above. 

'I'm still a beginner when it comes to woodworking. Did I make mistakes...oh...so... many. But, discovering the ways to overcome that hesitation, the doubt, and the endless mistakes may have been my favorite part,' she adds. 

The designer had additional shoe storage at the top of her agenda, so she decided to bump out her units to increase the depth. She then filled in the space above the BILLY's – to make them look custom-made for the room. 

The majority of other wood came from scrap – meaning this IKEA BILLY bookcase hack is as sustainable as it is Scandi-cool. 

IKEA BILLY mudroom hack

(Image credit: Stephanie Lidin / @henrikjunehome)

'Building in the Billy bookcases to better fit this awkward space turned out to be a much more functional and aesthetically pleasing view than before... wouldn't you agree?' Stephanie says. We certainly do.

IKEA BILLY hack – After 

IKEA BILLY mudroom hack

(Image credit: Stephanie Lidin / @henrikjunehome)

After painting the new units, Stephanie completed the mudroom makeover with another IKEA storage staple – these white VARIERA boxes complement the painted units perfectly. She also added rattan baskets and gathered eucalyptus in a base to add a pocket of color to the space. 

'It went from being a view I loathed, to a view I love,' the designer shares. 'This garage mudroom now is not only a more efficient drop zone, but it's [also] a much better view point from my workbench. (A space where I try to be my most creative)'. 

'We all need more closed shoe storage in life,' the designer adds. We, for one, can't argue with that – especially when it looks this good. 

Megan Slack
Megan Slack
Contributor

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team.

Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US whilst studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site.

Megan currently lives in London, where she relocated from her hometown in Yorkshire. In her home, she experiments with interior design trends and draws inspiration from the home decor ideas she observes in her everyday work life. Her favorite pieces include her antique typewriter and her expansive collection of houseplants. When she isn’t writing, she is browsing London’s coffee shops and bookstores to add to her ever-growing library, taking over the open shelving in her apartment.