Move over HEMNES, IKEA HAVSTA is taking over.
The quote for a bespoke bookcase was over £3K. We rolled up our shelves and hacked ourselves an IKEA HAVSTA built-in bookcase. We love that we get the bespoke looking finish for the IKEA price!
![IKEA HAVSTA storage combination built-in hack](https://www.ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/havsta-built-in-5.jpg)
Watch the transformation on our Instagram.
The project took around a week and cost about £1200.
IKEA items used:
![IKEA havsta storage](https://www.ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/havsta-storage-1.png)
HAVSTA storage combination | Photo: IKEA.com | Buy on IKEA.com
Other materials and tools:
- MDF
- Saw
- Drill
- Screws
- Decorators caulk
- Wagner paint sprayer
- Paint primer
- Paint
- Varnish
- Door handles
IKEA HAVSTA built-in bookshelf hack instructions:
1. Assemble the IKEA HAVSTA units. (We decided to omit the back lip of the shelf. Refer to photo above of the original HAVSTA to see it.)
![assemble storage units](https://www.ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/havsta-built-in-9.jpg)
Related: IKEA HEMNES built-in: Trim and moulding does wonders
2. Screw the units to each other.
3. Then, place an MDF piece across the bottom to create a uniformed looking “plinth”.
![add plinth](https://www.ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/havsta-built-in-8.jpg)
4. Add MDF to each side and across the top of the units using batons.
![add coving](https://www.ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/havsta-built-in-4.jpg)
5. Add the coving across the top so it looks like a continuation of the wall.
![work in progress](https://www.ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/havsta-built-in-3.jpg)
6. Use decorators caulk to hide all the joints.
7. Next, remove the doors for ease of painting.
![IKEA HAVSTA storage combination built-in hack](https://www.ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/havsta-built-in-2.jpg)
8. Prime the units and mdf. (You can can use a paint sprayer or do it by hand.)
9. Paint the entire unit. We used a sprayer and saved loads of time.
![IKEA HAVSTA storage combination built-in hack](https://www.ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/havsta-built-in-1.jpg)
10. Seal the paint using a clear paint varnish.
11. Put the doors back on.
![IKEA HAVSTA storage combination built-in hack](https://www.ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/havsta-built-in-10a.jpg)
12. Add new handles.
Done!
What was the hardest part about this hack?
Realising we needed a primer after we started to paint!
![IKEA HAVSTA storage combination built-in hack](https://www.ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/havsta-built-in-6.jpg)
What to pay special attention to?
Take time to practice using a sprayer before starting as there is a bit of knack to it!
Looking back, would you have done it differently?
Sprayed the whole unit with a primer first!
~ by Jo @thenewfrontwall
The post IKEA HAVSTA, the new favourite for built-in bookshelves appeared first on IKEA Hackers.
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