If you’ve ever wished your IKEA Billy bookcases looked a little softer, more custom, or a little less cluttered behind those Oxberg glass doors… this DIY is life-changing.

I recently added fabric curtains inside the glass on all three of my Billy towers — including the toppers — and the difference is incredible. It looks high-end, warm, and fully custom without making a single permanent modification.

Below is the exact step-by-step guide and where to get everything! We love a little DIY! 

---

✨ Materials & Tools I Used

• Fabric of your choice

  • Cut to:

    • 30” x 45” for the large main door windows

    • 30” x 20” for the smaller topper windows

• ¼” Wooden Dowels (36” long) — used as curtain rods

  • Cut each to 14 inches

  • Total needed: 12 rods (two rods per window)

• 1/4” EZ Cable Clips (15-pack) — these act as tiny brackets to hold your rods
  

• Fabric glue OR sewing machine

• Measuring tape

• Scissors or rotary cutter

• Iron/steamer

• Optional: small bumpers if your doors rattle

Bookcases used:
Three Billy Oxberg bookcases with toppers
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/billy-oxberg-bookcase-white-s89581547/

---

🧵 Step 1: Cut Your Fabric Panels

Cut each piece of fabric to:

• 30” x 45” for tall doors 

• 30” x 20” for toppers

This allows you a little wiggle room for size -- it's always better to have more than less! 

---

🧵 Step 2: Create Rod Pockets (Sewn or No-Sew)

Each fabric panel needs two rod pockets:

• One at the top

• One at the bottom

These pockets hold the 14” rods so the fabric hangs neatly.

✔️ Option 1: Sewn Rod Pocket

1. Lay fabric face down.

2. Fold the top edge down about ¾”–1”.

3. Press to crease.

4. Sew a straight line to form the tube.

5. Repeat along the bottom edge.

✔️ Option 2: No-Sew Rod Pocket (Fabric Glue)

1. Fold ¾”–1” down along the edge.

2. Add a thin line of fabric glue.

3. Press down and secure until dry.

4. Repeat for bottom pocket.

Both options create clean, sturdy channels for the rods.

---

📏 Step 3: Cut Your Rods

Use ¼” x 36” dowels and cut each into 14-inch pieces.

You’ll need:

• 12 rods total (6 windows × 2 rods each)

Lightly sand the ends if needed.

---

🪟 Step 4: Insert Rods Into the Pockets

Slide one 14” rod into the top rod pocket, and another into the bottom pocket.

Optional:
If you want soft gathers, you can still use ¼” easy clips on the fabric to create micro-pleats, but this step isn’t required for the structure.

---

🚪 Step 5: Install the EZ Clips + Hang Your Curtain Panels

This step ensures the rods sit perfectly inside the glass area — without hitting anything inside the bookcase, especially that non-removable middle shelf.

You will install four EZ Clips per window (two for the top rod, two for the bottom).

---

📍 For the SHORT Windows (Toppers)

Topper windows are the small glass sections on the extension units.

Place your clips so that:

Top Rod

• Install two EZ Clips just above the top edge of the glass opening

• The rod should sit directly above the window frame

Bottom Rod

• Install two EZ Clips just below the bottom edge of the glass opening

• The rod should sit right beneath the glass, centered inside the panel

This creates a perfectly framed, evenly tensioned fabric panel.

---

📍 For the LARGE Windows (Main Doors)

These doors have a fixed middle shelf behind them that cannot be removed, so rod placement is crucial.

Top Rod Placement

• Install EZ Clips directly above the top edge of the glass, as high as they can go without interfering with the door

• This gives the fabric a crisp, tailored top line

Bottom Rod Placement

• Install EZ Clips exactly where the glass stops at the bottom edge

• The rod must sit just above the wooden panel, high enough so it does NOT hit the fixed shelf when you close the door

Once the clips are installed, simply:

1. Pop the top rod into its two clips

2. Pop the bottom rod into its clips

3. Adjust fabric gently

4. Close the doors and admire the transformation ✨

---

🎉 Step 6: Admire Your New Custom Billy Bookcases

Once installed, the fabric instantly transforms your Billy units:

• Adds warmth and softness

• Hides clutter without blocking light

• Looks fully custom and built-in

• Elevates the entire room

• Stays completely renter-friendly

Your Billy bookcases now look bespoke, charming, and intentionally designed.