Bed Bridge Bookcase from IKEA BRIMNES + BILLY

My Bed Bridge Bookcase is a bridge bookcase made from three IKEA cabinets. It takes the place of nightstands and spans a full or queen size bed.

bed bridge bookcase

I built this project for my oldest daughter, Julie, who was the first to leave the nest. At 24, she landed landed her dream job to work at Walt Disney World in Florida, and she asked if I could make something special for her new apartment.

IKEA items used:
Other materials:
  • Crown molding
  • Baseboard molding
  • Edge molding
  • Fluted trim
  • 3/4″ birch plywood
  • 1×4 pine (select grade – no knots)
  • LED cabinet lights (two sets of 3 – found on clearance at IKEA store for $9 each; not available online)
  • Fasteners (shelf pins, screws, nails, wood glue)

What is a Bridge Bookcase?

A bridge bookcase is a three-piece configuration where a horizontal bookcase (the bridge) is supported by two vertical bookcases (the pillars). The bridge can span different things — beds, desks, doorways, etc.

Bed bridge bookcase

The inspiration for this project came from a Home Decorators ensemble that would cost over $1,700.

Their bridge is only 57″ wide which only works for a twin or full size bed. I built my bridge to be 64″ wide which works for a full or queen bed.

Since it is custom-made, my bed bridge bookcase can be made to any width for any size mattress.

Check out this video to see how I made it:

For more details of this project, go to my web page.

Link to video.