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How to Create a Hidden Shelf in Your Rental Appartment

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create a hidden shelf in your rental appartment

How to Create a Hidden Shelf in Your Rental Appartment

Hide a shelf, have an extra wall - all without pissing off your landlord!

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Step 1 of 10
We created a hidden shelf in our office by simply adding some chipboard and wallpaper to a standard IKEA shelf.

We created a hidden shelf in our office by simply adding some chipboard and wallpaper to a standard IKEA shelf.

Step 2 of 10
We simply mounted a Billy bookcase on a Malm 3-drawer chest with L-brackets. The right side of this combination is screwed on wall, so it cannot move or fall in any direction.

We simply mounted a Billy bookcase on a Malm 3-drawer chest with L-brackets. The right side of this combination is screwed on wall, so it cannot move or fall in any direction.

Step 3 of 10
This is it in real life

This is it in real life

Step 4 of 10
The outer side is disguised with chipboard and wallpaper, which you can easily hang on the chipboard. This way you don't piss off your landlord, the whole thing can be removed easily.

The outer side is disguised with chipboard and wallpaper, which you can easily hang on the chipboard. This way you don't piss off your landlord, the whole thing can be removed easily.

Step 5 of 10
Here is a closeup of the chipboard with wallpaper mounted to the shelf

Here is a closeup of the chipboard with wallpaper mounted to the shelf

Step 6 of 10
From the outside it looks like a real wall or chimney.

From the outside it looks like a real wall or chimney.

Step 7 of 10
In addition you get a wall where you can hang some stuff.

In addition you get a wall where you can hang some stuff.

Step 8 of 10
When you enter the room you don't even notice it does not belong there.

When you enter the room you don't even notice it does not belong there.

Step 9 of 10
On the top left you see the shelf (labeled "0,8 m²)

On the top left you see the shelf (labeled "0,8 m²)

Step 10 of 10

Also check out how we made this into a small Walk-In Closet in my guide "How to make a Shelf into a Walk-In Closet"

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!
Böblingen, Germany
storbeck.me
I'm an IT-Consultant by day, but at night (and on weekends) I become a biker, IKEAhacker and LEGO-enthusiast.

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11 Comments
Supplies
Embed

1 IKEA Billy bookcase

1 IKEA Malm 3-drawer chest

Chipboard (16mm or stronger)

Wallpaper

Wall paint

Some screws

Martin Storbeck

I added more pictures from our 3D program to explain how it was made. There is also a new guide on how to transform it into a walk-in closet

(author) 4 months ago

Martin Storbeck

Thank you so much!

(author) 8 months ago

Virginia Jones

You are brilliant sir!

Virginia Jones 8 months ago

Csir Em

Nice work

Csir Em 8 months ago

Martin Storbeck

It is called Home Design 3D, you find it on the AppStore for iPhone & iPad

(author) 8 months ago

AJ Hyatt

what did you use for the layout in picture 6?? I've been looking for a program like that.

AJ Hyatt 8 months ago

Martin Storbeck

Thanks Amber!

(author) 8 months ago

Amber Slaton

This is a great idea!

Amber Slaton 8 months ago

Martin Storbeck

Does the picture I added explain it? I could not find any pictures from the building progress, sorry.

(author) 8 months ago

Martin Storbeck

It doesn't open, you just walk around it. Ill put another picture in!

(author) 8 months ago

Alice Wujciak

Could you post another picture to show how it opens, or what it looked like before?

Alice Wujciak 8 months ago

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