The IKEA Accessory That Takes The BILLY Bookcase To The Next Level

The ever-popular BILLY bookcase made its debut in IKEA showrooms in 1979. In 2022, IKEA relaunched their fan-favorite shelving with less plastic and paper foil instead of veneer. The result? Improved sustainability and more color choices — even more reasons to love BILLY. With so many finish options and configurations, you can use the IKEA BILLY bookcase in every room of the house. But one IKEA accessory takes your BILLY to the next level: the HÖGBO.

What is a HÖGBO? It's a glass door that's available in black and white. The door comes with a panel behind the glass in the color you select. By itself, the door hides the bookshelf for discreet storage. What makes the door truly special is that you can remove the back panel for a transparent glass door or create custom displays by putting vinyl paper, wallpaper, fabric, photos, or any other flat, decorative items on the panel backing behind the glass to show off your personality.

Tap into your creative side to decorate your HÖGBO door. Use the door as a gallery of photos from your favorite family moments or a rotating mini museum of your kids' artwork. For the holidays, use wrapping paper as the background and display the Christmas cards you receive behind the glass. You could make custom wallpaper using old book pages for the doors on a BILLY that houses your personal library. Or, design and print a custom art design that fits into the door. 

To add a bit of dimension to your HÖGBO doors, insert a textured material to give them an upgrade. Cover the panel with a piece of cane webbing or thin pieces of molding. The HÖGBO comes with a minimalist tab to open the doors, but you can adhere a decorative knob if that fits better with your aesthetic. And that's not the only simple way to add personality.

The BILLY comes in several colors, including white and wood tones, but paint gives it a custom look. Paint your BILLY the same color as the wall to create a monochromatic display. Or, paint the backs of the shelves for a contrasting design that draws the eye, adds dimension, and makes the display pieces pop. If you prefer patterns, use wallpaper or fabric wrapped around foam board that's the same size as the back of the shelf. Slide the covered foam board into place — you can easily remove or change it when you want a new look. This pattern can either match or contrast with the design on your HÖGBO doors, or leave the doors transparent to showcase how you decorate the shelves.

Adding trim along the top edge gives the unit a built-in look. You can also use pieces of MDF about 6 inches wide to cover the seams where two bookshelves meet, or cut MDF with a curved opening to create an arched look at the top. Attach the pieces and paint everything to make it cohesive. Finish the look with IKEA's TVÄRDRAG cabinet lights anchored to the top to illuminate the shelves.