ᐅ How can I make BILLY doors childproof?

Hello everyone, I have a question that some of you have probably already solved: How can I make the doors of my IKEA BILLY bookcase childproof? My children are preschool age and very curious; they constantly open the doors and sometimes get hold of small items that are not ideal for them. I am looking for solutions that are sturdy enough to prevent my son or daughter from easily opening the doors but require minimal effort to install and do not affect the appearance too much. Does anyone have recommendations for specific child locks, hinges, handles, or DIY solutions that work well with BILLY? I would appreciate any practical tips or experiences on how you have resolved this. Thanks in advance!

I simply installed child safety locks that stick to doors; they work well on BILLY. They are inexpensive and can be found at hardware stores or online. Alternatively, magnetic child safety locks can be used, which are hardly noticeable. It is important that they fit securely and are checked regularly.

I know exactly how challenging it can be when little ones keep opening doors and you’re worried about safety. What worked well for me is a combination of simple plastic clip locks installed on the inside of the BILLY doors. At first, my daughter was quite frustrated, but now she understands there is a small resistance she can’t easily overcome. There are also magnetic versions, which I find more elegant, but we didn’t have those at home. It’s important to install the safety devices in a child-friendly way and make sure they have no sharp edges. This way, you feel more at ease, and the children learn their boundaries in a playful manner.

There are several proven and manufacturer-recommended methods for securing BILLY doors. First, there are screw-in child safety locks that are installed on the inside of the door and prevent it from being opened without tools. Second, commonly used magnetic child safety locks can be mounted invisibly and are unlocked with a special key. It is also important to check the door hinges: BILLY doors mainly come with simple hinges, which can theoretically be opened more easily. If additional security is desired, alternative hinges with child safety functions can be considered, although this usually requires significant modifications. In summary: for everyday use, I recommend magnetic or clamp-style child safety locks, which are discreet and reliable.

Alberto51 schrieb:
A combination of proven plastic clamp locks is very useful.

I completely agree. As a mother, I have tried several different options as well. One particularly helpful aspect is explaining to children why the doors are secured and that some things are unsafe for them—this always complements any technical solution.

In addition to clamp or magnetic locks, a good mix of education and physical barriers is ideal. For example, we added soft-padded edge protectors to the BILLY doors to prevent injuries in case someone bumps into them.

elliot schrieb:
Magnetic child locks are often recommended because they are invisible.

In my experience, these are great for anyone who doesn’t want to affect the appearance of the furniture. They are installed on the inside of the door, making them invisible and inaccessible to small children, and require a magnetic key to open. If you choose magnetic locks, make sure your child cannot manipulate them yet—some kids manage to figure it out surprisingly fast due to strong curiosity ;-).