From Three IKEA Bookcases to a Custom Floor-to-Ceiling Library

There is something deeply satisfying about a wall of books. But what happens when your beloved IKEA Hemnes bookcases fall short — literally — of the ceiling?

That was the challenge one of our clients brought to us recently. She had three Hemnes bookcases that she loved, but wanted to maximise the full height of her wall. The problem? IKEA doesn't make a Hemnes extension. So we got creative.

The Challenge

The Hemnes range is a classic for good reason — solid, handsome and built to last. But ceiling height is ceiling height, and a gap between the top of your bookcase and the cornice is a missed opportunity. Our client wanted the full wall, floor to ceiling, and she wanted it to look like it had always been that way.

The Solution

After some research we landed on IKEA Billy bookcase extensions as the answer. They're designed to sit on top of Billy units, but with a little engineering there's no reason they can't go on top of a Hemnes — as long as you do it properly.

Here's what the job involved:

First, we reinforced the existing Hemnes bookcases to handle the additional weight of the extensions sitting on top. This isn't a step you can skip — Hemnes units aren't designed to bear a load from above, and cutting corners here is how things go wrong.

Next, we built a continuous platform across all three bookcases for the Billy extensions to sit on uniformly. Getting this level and stable across the full width of the wall was the most technically demanding part of the job — but it's what gives the finished result that seamless, built-in look.

The Billy extensions were then mounted onto the platform and secured. Because the Billy units are narrower than the Hemnes, we had a small gap on one side — which we converted into a dedicated nook for wifi routers and cables. Tidy, functional and completely hidden in plain sight.

Finally, the original Hemnes top panel was fitted across the full width, tying everything together and giving the whole installation a cohesive, intentional finish. We also replaced all the handles across every unit for a completely consistent look.

The Result

What started as three standalone bookcases is now a floor-to-ceiling wall installation that looks custom built. The books are happy. The client is happier.

Material Costs

Materials for this project came to approximately $[PLACEHOLDER].

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