If you’ve ever had a room with a weird soffit that drives you crazy, you’re not alone! For the past year, I’ve been staring at one in my daughter’s bedroom, wondering how to make it blend into the space rather than sticking out like a sore thumb. Since removing it wasn’t an option due to the plumbing inside, we decided to get creative and work it into a custom built-in design using IKEA bookshelves, shiplap, and some good old-fashioned DIY magic.

The result? A functional and beautiful built-in unit that looks like it was always meant to be there. If you’re into DIY projects, IKEA hacks, or interior design, this is one transformation you don’t want to miss!

                                      

Step 1: Building the Base Frames for the Built-In Bookshelves

The first step in this IKEA hack was to create a solid base for the bookshelves. We built two base frames and secured them to the wall studs on either side of the bed. This not only ensured stability but also raised the bookshelves to a more custom built-in height.

Once the bases were in place, we positioned three IKEA bookcases on each side and attached them to the wall using L-brackets for extra security. These bookshelves served as the foundation for our new built-in storage system.

 

Step 2: Addressing the Awkward Soffit with a Custom Frame and Shiplap

Now, onto the real challenge: that awkward soffit. Since removing it wasn’t possible, we decided to make it look intentional rather than like an afterthought. We built a frame matching the depth of the bookshelves, attaching it to the soffit and extending it across the wall.

To give it a polished, cohesive look, we installed 8-inch wide shiplap boards across both the frame and the soffit, making it appear as one continuous built-in unit. To further enhance the seamless design, we continued the same shiplap down the back of the wall between each bookcase. This simple addition made a huge visual impact, instantly elevating the entire space.

                        

Step 3: Adding Trim, Molding & Paint for a Custom Look

Once the shiplap was in place, we framed out the top of each bookcase using MDF boards to create a more finished, custom look. Then, we filled all the nail holes and seams, making everything smooth and ready for paint.

For the color, we chose Pure White by Sherwin-Williams in a satin finish. This kept the space light, bright, and modern, while also helping the built-in blend seamlessly with the rest of the room.

To complete the built-in, we added new baseboards, trim, and molding around the shiplap for that final polished touch.

Step 4: Installing Stylish & Functional Finishing Touches

Now for my favorite part—the finishing touches! We installed doors on the bottom half of the bookcases, providing hidden storage for toys, books, and other items.

For lighting, we opted for these stunning battery-operated sconces that are controlled with a remote—no hardwiring needed! This was a simple way to add ambiance without having to deal with electrical work.

 

The Big Reveal: A Built-In That Looks Like It Was Always Meant to Be!

Looking back at the before and after, I can’t get over how much of a difference this built-in made. That once-awkward soffit now blends seamlessly into the design, and the additional storage has been a game-changer for our daughter’s room.

This project solved two major problems:
    1.    Making the soffit look intentional instead of like an afterthought.
    2.    Creating much-needed extra storage in a stylish and functional way.

Why This IKEA Hack Works for Any Home

If you have an awkward soffit, a blank wall, or just need extra storage, this IKEA hack is a perfect solution. By combining affordable IKEA bookshelves, simple framing, and shiplap, you can create a custom built-in that looks high-end without the high-end price tag.

So, if you’re feeling inspired to tackle your own DIY home improvement project, this is your sign to go for it! Have you ever done an IKEA hack or a built-in project like this? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to see what you’ve created!

Links for this room can be found HERE!

Ikea bookcases we used can be found HERE!

Watch this project unfold from start to finish below!

Happy DIY-ing!

Each year when the holidays roll around I always find that my seasonal decor style changes a bit, but I really don’t want to invest in all new decor year after year! Last year I wanted flocking on EVERYTHING, this year not so much. So when I opened up my holiday storage bins and found just about every faux greenery covered in flocking I knew I had to come up with an easy solution that wouldn’t break the bank!

                      

I had these really nice pre-lit Holiday wreaths I love to hang over the windows in our sunroom, but I wanted to add more natural elements and greenery to balance out the flocking on the wreaths and give them a more natural organic look and less of a white Christmas farmhouse look this Holiday season!

I found some faux greenery stems and mini pinecones that worked well with the flocked wreaths to give me the look I was hoping for! All I needed were some zipties, wire cutters, and Krazy Glue for this project!

Step 1:

First I took my plain flocked wreath and pushed back all the branches so I could get to the metal frame of the wreath. Then I laid down these faux pine leaf stems with baby pinecones (they are larger of the two I picked out for this project) and attached it to the frame with a couple zipties.

I repeated this step on the opposite side on the wreath, overlapping the base of the greenery stems just slightly so they flanked the bottom of the wreath and traveled up towards the top.

Step 2:

Next I took my second style of faux stems  (a thicker pine with small berries on it) and layered them on top of the ones I already attached to the wreath. I did the same thing using just a couple zipties to secure the branches to the frame of the wreath.

Since the faux greenery I used is traditionally used in things like vases and containers, they have long stems on the bottom that I didn’t need in my wreath. I took some wire cutters and simply cut off what I didn’t want!

Step 3:

Now that I had the greenery secured it was time to fluff the wreath. I wanted the flocked branches and the new stems to look like one so I bent and moved the branches as needed to blend them together in the wreath.

Step 4:

Next came the icing on the cake, that took the wreath from plain to Wow! I cut up pieces of faux frosted eucalyptus and placed then randomly in the wreath. To keep them in place I used the Max Bond Krazy Glue. It works awesome because is has a quick grab time, about 20 seconds, and it bonds to anything!! I placed a small bead of  Krazy Glue around the frosted eucalyptus and held it in place until it grabbed!

Step 5:

I loved how the faux greenery with the baby pinecones looked in my wreath but it needed more of the little pinecones, so I took more of Krazy Glue and added a handful of these little pinecones around the wreath to bring in a more organic look. I added a pea size amount to the bottom of the pinecones and attached them to random branches in the wreath!

This was a super easy project for the holidays that I tackled in an afternoon and it completely changed the look of my old plain wreath! Thanks the the versatility of Krazy Glue I was able to get the look I wanted for my holiday decor this year without having to go out and buy all new wreaths!

         

 

-Grey Birch Designs-