Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
If you’ve ever looked at an IKEA Billy bookcase hack and thought “but what if it had more colour, more pattern and a little more personality…” then this DIY is for you.
In this video I transform old IKEA Billy bookcases into bold Moroccan inspired built-in shelving for my craft room using paint, decoupage, lighting, handmade arches and decorative details.
These weren’t brand new bookcases either. They’d already lived a full life in our old house, covered in marks, screw holes and years of wear. Instead of hiding that, I decided to turn them into something completely unique.
One of my favourite parts of this project was adding pattern to the built-ins using decoupage. I used our Made by Marley “Top Tile” decoupage paper to create the decorative Moroccan inspired panels across the top section of the shelving.
You can find the Top Tile design here:
[Made by Marley Top Tile Decoupage](madebymarley.co.uk/product-page/top-tile)
But honestly, you could create a similar effect using wallpaper, wrapping paper or other styles of decoupage too. Adding pattern into built-in DIY projects is such a fun way to make them feel custom and artistic.
Inside this IKEA Billy hack:
• Built-in shelving makeover
• Moroccan inspired arch details
• Bold maximalist colour palette
• Decoupage furniture techniques
• LED lighting installation
• Decorative trim and handmade details
• Creative budget-friendly DIY ideas
• Annie Sloan Capri Pink makeover
This project is less about perfection and more about creativity, making things work, and building a space that actually feels inspiring to be in.
And yes… Martyn did rescue me from the handsaw at one point 😅
#ikeahack #billybookcase #ikeabilly #builtinbookshelves #maximalistdecor #colourfulhome #moroccaninspired #craftroom #decoupage #furnituremakeover #anniesloan #diyhomedecor
If you’ve ever looked at an IKEA Billy bookcase hack and thought “but what if it had more colour, more pattern and a little more personality…” then this DIY is for you.
In this video I transform old IKEA Billy bookcases into bold Moroccan inspired built-in shelving for my craft room using paint, decoupage, lighting, handmade arches and decorative details.
These weren’t brand new bookcases either. They’d already lived a full life in our old house, covered in marks, screw holes and years of wear. Instead of hiding that, I decided to turn them into something completely unique.
One of my favourite parts of this project was adding pattern to the built-ins using decoupage. I used our Made by Marley “Top Tile” decoupage paper to create the decorative Moroccan inspired panels across the top section of the shelving.
You can find the Top Tile design here:
[Made by Marley Top Tile Decoupage](madebymarley.co.uk/product-page/top-tile)
But honestly, you could create a similar effect using wallpaper, wrapping paper or other styles of decoupage too. Adding pattern into built-in DIY projects is such a fun way to make them feel custom and artistic.
Inside this IKEA Billy hack:
• Built-in shelving makeover
• Moroccan inspired arch details
• Bold maximalist colour palette
• Decoupage furniture techniques
• LED lighting installation
• Decorative trim and handmade details
• Creative budget-friendly DIY ideas
• Annie Sloan Capri Pink makeover
This project is less about perfection and more about creativity, making things work, and building a space that actually feels inspiring to be in.
And yes… Martyn did rescue me from the handsaw at one point 😅
#ikeahack #billybookcase #ikeabilly #builtinbookshelves #maximalistdecor #colourfulhome #moroccaninspired #craftroom #decoupage #furnituremakeover #anniesloan #diyhomedecor
