The Hallway that Became a Library
A pair of IKEA bookcases, a moody paint color, and a little bit of bravery turned our builder-grade hallway into something I never expected: a cozy, character-filled library moment.
We’ve lived in our home for just over eight years now, and in that time, I’ve come to know it well—its quirks, its quiet charm, and its little shortcomings. One thing it’s always lacked? Storage. The kind that makes room for things that matter—books, puzzles, photo albums, memories.
For years, a brushed nickel and glass sofa table lived in our hallway, topped with a large floral canvas and surrounded by family photos. It served its purpose well. But I love change, and recently, I felt a shift. My style was evolving toward what I’d call “tailored warmth,” and the metal-and-glass look didn’t feel quite right anymore. So, the table found a new spot elsewhere in the house, and I started dreaming of something different.
Built-ins felt like the perfect solution—not just for storage, but for adding character to our builder-grade hallway. If you’re a design lover like me, you’ve probably seen a million IKEA Billy Bookcase hacks. I was hesitant at first. The Billy is narrower than standard shelving, which isn’t ideal for oversized puzzles or coffee table books. But because this project was for a hallway, the narrower profile turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Initially, I thought we could fit three bookcases, but two felt so much better—allowing room on both sides and between them, which gave the whole setup that true built-in look I had been craving. We extended them all the way to the ceiling, added crown and base moulding, and suddenly—just like that—the hallway had its very own library moment.
We added doors to hide away all the not-so-pretty items: puzzles, albums, books. It’s now clean, functional, and beautiful.
Color, of course, was the next big decision. We first considered painting it the same color as the wall—Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray, a warm neutral I’ll never grow tired of. That would have been lovely. So would Sherwin Williams Dover White, which we’ve used on trim and doors. But both felt a little too safe.
I started researching colors that pair well with Edgecomb Gray and was tempted by black, but it felt a bit too bold for the space. Then I discovered Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal—a rich, soft black with warm undertones and a subtle green cast. It felt risky... and right.
I’ve learned that when I feel a little nervous about a design choice, it usually means I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and into something beautiful. And Kendall Charcoal proved exactly that. Once we added brushed brass hardware, everything came together.
And of course, no before-and-after is complete without styling. That’s where the space really comes to life. I filled the shelves with meaningful treasures: my favorite photo of my son, a sketch I drew in design school, a few pieces that nod to my travels, and my dad’s reading glasses—still smudged with his fingerprints.
This project reminded me of something I often forget: to trust my instincts and not be afraid to try something new. The best results usually come from those moments where we’re just brave enough to say yes.
