Asked on May 04, 2018

Looking for an idea to make the bookcase look flush against the wall.

Miami Pat
by Miami Pat
It’s an Ikea Billy bookcase. The cut out for smaller baseboard doesnt work. Would like it to look flush with the wall. Would rather not have to cut the baseboard. Looking for a way to cover/disguise the gap. Any ideas?
  13 answers
  • KattywhampusLOL KattywhampusLOL on May 04, 2018

    Hello Piw, My first thought was perhaps some base cap moulding applied flush against the wall and wood glued to the side of the cabinet (I don't know whether or not you rent). Then I thought I'd look online for a solution and the only things I found involved removing the baseboard, building a framework that is attached to the wall, then adding the bookcase to that, and replacing the baseboard around the bottom of the bookcase. Or perhaps if you just attached it to the wall (so it doesn't fall over somehow), that might work. I don't know how much work you want to do but I've included a link below. Good Luck to you with this project, and thanks for asking Hometalk for answers :)

    https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-secure-tall-furniture/

  • Tonya Lynn Whaley Miller Tonya Lynn Whaley Miller on May 04, 2018

    you could try getting the slim cut corner moulding and put it around the the bookshelf to make it look like it's built into the wall. just an idea hope it helps.

    • Miami Pat Miami Pat on May 04, 2018

      Not sure what skim cut corner Moulding is but I’ll check it out.

  • Jennifer Jennifer on May 04, 2018

    You could try raising it up to get it more flush. Attach a board on the bottom.

  • Kelly Denoyer Russell Kelly Denoyer Russell on May 04, 2018

    Add molding or trim.

  • Emily Emily on May 04, 2018

    we have three sided (long piece on front and short pieces on sides) to support the bookcases on the floor and raise them over the baseboards. they are set in under the bookcases so don't really show. They are also stained to match the floor and not the bookcases.

    • Miami Pat Miami Pat on May 04, 2018

      Do you have a photo of how it worked? It Seems like the bookcase would look like it was floating. It u have a picture I might be able to figure it out.

  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on May 04, 2018

    Shoe molding glued to the bookcase

  • William William on May 04, 2018

    Cut out more of the existing cutout on the bookcase to fit your baseboard.

    • Miami Pat Miami Pat on May 04, 2018

      Can’t do that without compromising the bottom shelf which makes the bookshelf stabile.

  • William William on May 04, 2018

    I see! The cutout ends with the shelf. I would use pieces of 1"X2" board, paint them white and slip them under the each side to raise the bookcase so the cutout would fit your baseboard. It would be like shimming it up. Then you can push the bookcase against the wall. You can even use double stick tape to stick the "shims" to the bottom of the sides. This way they can be removed if ever needed.

    • See 1 previous
    • Miami Pat Miami Pat on May 16, 2018

      I used baseboard of the shape to generally fit the gap. Then sanded to fit, glued in place, filled any gaps and then spray painted.

  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on May 04, 2018

    No, it's even smaller. Sometimes called cabinet scribe.

  • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on May 08, 2018

    How about some lengths of small quarter round with finishing nails?

    Its rather cheap and will make the bookcase more finished looking...may look more built in.

    Stain the quarter round the same color as the bookcase.

  • 17335038 17335038 on May 09, 2018

    Instead of filling in the gap with wood, what about using wide upholstery piping, also sometimes called gimp trim? Tuck it into the gap and attach with staples. Picture below also shows the same concept using sisel rope.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 07, 2023

    Run a length of skirting around the bookcase to match existing. Stick on with double sised tape.

  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 13, 2023

    Quarter round cut to size and painted to match the bookcase.