ᐅ Modifying a BILLY bookshelf to be child-friendly.

I am planning to modify the BILLY bookshelf from IKEA for the children's room to make it more child-friendly, as our little one is starting to independently reach for books and toys. My idea is to lower the shelf slightly and round off the edges to prevent injuries. Additionally, I want to adjust the compartments and possibly add drawers so they are easy to access but still sturdy enough to handle the usual activity. Has anyone had experience with a project like this or any specific tips on how to make the BILLY bookshelf child-safe? I am especially interested in which tools are best suited and whether there are particular safety measures to minimize the risk of accidents. Are there also suggestions on how to visually adapt the shelf to be child-appropriate without making it look too playful? Thanks for any input!

janvin schrieb:
I am planning to modify the BILLY shelf from IKEA for the children’s room to make it more child-friendly, as our little one is starting to get books and toys by themselves.

That’s a great project! Basically, I recommend measuring each component carefully before starting the modification to avoid damaging any load-bearing parts. A lower design can be achieved by cutting the side panels and shelves, which involves carefully loosening the screws, shortening the parts, and then drilling and screwing them back together. It is important to use edge routers or fine sandpaper to ensure there are no sharp edges left.

Regarding tools: a small orbital sander or detail sander is ideal, as well as a circular saw with a guide rail to make precise, straight cuts. If you don’t have access to a power outlet for those tools, a jigsaw with a fine blade might suffice, but the accuracy will be reduced.

For child safety, additional edge protection strips or soft rubber covers are advisable, which can also be cut to size yourself. The stability of drawers is often underestimated: if you modify the drawers, make sure the slides fit securely, operate smoothly, and have anti-tip devices installed.

Visually, I would recommend more subdued colors that match the room—matte white or soft pastel shades. Avoid bright colors or busy patterns to create a calm atmosphere while keeping it cheerful. With adhesive films, you can also create custom designs that are child-friendly and easy to remove later.

Do you already have a clear plan for the compartment layout, and will you fix the shelf to the wall? This is often overlooked, but the safety risk from tipping accidents is high.

pauPierce schrieb:
For child safety, additional edge protectors or soft rubber covers are recommended

I can only agree with that. I used to feel uneasy when my children played close to sharp shelf edges. The thought that this could be dangerous often made me hesitant to leave the shelf open.

I also once tried to make a BILLY shelf child-friendly and can only advise always double-checking all screws and using at least two wall brackets. I felt the same as you, janvin: children’s reach is limited, so the shelf really needs to be adapted and free of any risky spots.

janvin schrieb:
Has anyone had experience with such a project or any specific tips on how to convert the BILLY shelf to be child-friendly?

My experience: patience is key! Some things take longer than expected, especially when working only with hand tools. For example, I adjusted the compartments so the kids can easily access their favorite books and fitted some compartments with baskets that slide out easily. Adding a bit of color with removable magnetic chalkboard sheets gives the shelf a fresh look and lets the kids express their creativity.

JONKO schrieb:
Patience is important! Some things take longer than expected, especially when working only with hand tools.

Fully agree! I also modified my BILLY and simply added some colorful boxes that are very sturdy and easy to grasp. For the edges, I used self-adhesive foam edge protectors – that’s really clever! 🙂

I also shortened the shelf to 90 cm (35 inches) so my child can reach everything without help. This also prevented the shelf from becoming wobbly, because with proper wall mounting it stands very firmly.

A tip: When you screw the shelf to the wall, make sure to screw it into the wall studs, not just the drywall! Safety comes first, and it’s so much more relaxing because the shelf then stands rock-solid. I first fixed it in the wrong place, and it wobbled – that’s a real no-go!

For the finish: I used matte, durable paint that can be easily wiped with a damp cloth. This way, the shelf stays nice and child-friendly for a long time.