Key FAQ Points:
- Both new and pre-loved BILLY bookcases can be painted with great results
- You’ll need to clean before painting to remove grease, grime or just manufacturing residues
- Sand lightly to create a key on the surface
- Choose a high-quality paint that’s suitable for use on wood, laminate and composite surfaces
- Refresh with your favourite colour, use multiple shades on different parts of the bookcase or get creative with eye-catching effects
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Painting IKEA furniture is a great way to add a bit of personality or refresh a pre-loved piece. And BILLY bookcases are one of the most popular options, with one sold every five seconds across the world!
The great news is that it’s definitely possible to paint BILLY bookcases from IKEA with brilliant results. Below, we’ll run through the steps to take and a few expert tips.
A note on new vs old bookcases
You can paint both new and old BILLY bookcases. Of course, you’ll need to assemble your furniture if it’s brand new. This is much easier than trying to paint wooden pieces before assembly.
However, many people will be painting an existing BILLY bookcase. That could be a bookcase you’ve had in your home for years or one you’ve bought second-hand. Due to their massive popularity, it’s quite easy to find BILLY bookcases on sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Gumtree. You’ll be able to skip assembly, as long as you’ve got a car or van that’s big enough!
Cleaning your BILLY bookcase
Whether it’s new or old, your BILLY bookcase will need cleaning. Pre-loved furniture can accumulate a lot of dust and grime while it’s sat in your home or someone else’s. Similarly, new pieces can come with manufacturing residues and factory dust.
For old furniture, the best course of action is to mix Frenchic Sugar Soap with warm water, then apply it to all surfaces with a sponge or cloth. Scrub surfaces lightly to remove grease and grime, then rinse with fresh water.
If you’ve bought a new BILLY bookcase, you can simply wipe it down with fresh water.
Sanding the surface
The next step is sanding, which is a must before most painting projects. Even more so for BILLY bookcases, as they have a laminated surface. Lightly sanding all over the bookcase will provide a key to maximise adherence when the paint is applied.
Make sure the bookcase is completely dry, then sand with a medium 120-grit sandpaper. You can hand sand or use an electric sander if you have one. Finally, brush off the dust before you start painting.
Painting your BILLY bookcase
Can you paint a BILLY bookcase with normal emulsion? Not quite. For results that last, you’ll need paint that’s specially formulated for wood, laminate and composite surfaces.
Frenchic’s Lazy Range and Al Fresco range are suitable for a wide range of surfaces, including your BILLY bookcase. They provide a modern, matte finish with self-levelling qualities that minimise brush marks.
While rollers can be good for larger surfaces, a brush is probably best for this type of project. You’ll need at least two coats for a high-quality finish. You might also want to add a layer of Finishing Coat or Tuff Top Coat for extra protection from chipping.
How can you paint BILLY bookcases from IKEA?
The choice is yours when it comes to how you style your BILLY bookcase. It looks great in any colour, whether that’s bold tones, neutrals or pastels. You can also use multiple colours, such as one on the back panel and another on the rest of the unit.
Or let your creativity run free. Our DIY Expert, Kayleigh Sherbourne, creates a great splatter effect using bright, white Dazzle Me!, after initially painting in grey-blue Smooch.
For more ideas, check out our guide to 7 Different Furniture Paint Effects You Should Try.
