Instead of a thin layer of wood veneer, BILLY now has a hard surface of durable paper foil. ”The foil has different printed patterns that look like natural wood and means that less wood is needed to make each BILLY,” says Umut. Using materials only where they are needed is resource-efficient. “And it has meant another positive thing – an even more affordable BILLY.”
More from the BILLY series
BILLY Bookcase, black oak effect, 40x28x106 cm
Price £ 35
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Black oak effect
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BILLY
304.773.31BILLY bookcase is a beloved icon that never goes out of style. Thanks to its versatility you can use it in many different ways at home – regardless of whether you store books or everyday items in it.
DesignerGillis Lundgren
More information
BILLY is a versatile bookcase that works just as good as a storage unit and is suitable to use in many different ways at home.
The shallow and adjustable shelves help you customise your BILLY and allow you to use it as you like – for storing everyday items, memorabilia or other things you collect.
BILLY has a simple and timeless design that is easy to personalise by adding boxes, lighting and your favourite items.
Make it even more personal by adding a door, allowing you to both hide and display things. In this way your BILLY can get new functions and a new look as your style and living situation changes.
Reviews
A cute little unit!Anonymous reviewerAnother easy to assemble unit that looks great and work well next to the large version.
Great smaller shelving unitAnonymous reviewerDownsized to this unit in bedroom from bigger Billy oak unit. Easy to put together. Found shelf attachments more difficult to fit than old fixtures.
Does not work well with the oxberg doorAnonymous reviewerBought this short and narrow Billy unit, with an oxberg door, for my elderly mother's hallway. I put the unit together, which was straightforward, and then hung the door. However, the top , horizontal, edge of the door does not fit flush with the top edge of the cupboard and because it is white, and low, all you can see is a fair sized dark gap across the top of the unit, when you walk past it. I could see no way of rectifying the issue, as there is no adjustment when putting the unit together. Mum is so disappointed, and would like a refund. However it was delivered to her, and she has no ikea store nearby.
Useful sizeAnonymous reviewerSturdy and good value and a useful size to supplement my other larger Billy bookcases.
Very adaptableAnonymous reviewerCompact and good choice for draw size
No longer wood veneerAnonymous reviewerI bought 2 new oak Billy bookcases to match with two I already had in my office, but sadly they're no longer an oak veneer, but covered in laminate paper and therefore look plasticky and cheap compared to the others we already have. Disappointed in the difference as the old and new ones don't match. On the positives, the new assembly method is nice and easy to put together. Built the 2 shelves in under an hour.
Should be William!Anonymous reviewerEasy to put together, sturdy and strong.
Great bookcaseAnonymous reviewerEasy to assemble, sturdy when finished and perfect size. Already have various Billy items.
OkAnonymous reviewerOk
Lovely bookcaseAnonymous reviewerI wanted a bookshelf that fitted a small space but that would take plenty of books. This Billy was it. With all Billy shelves you have to be careful about the weight you place on them as the clips aren't the greatest. But its a great little shelf and I love it, easy to put together and a great price.
Simple and sturdyAnonymous reviewerAlways loved a Billy bookcase. It is simple, sturdy and has various adjustable shelves.
Small bookcaseAnonymous reviewerThis is a decent little bookcase.
Perfect fitAnonymous reviewerPerfect little bookcase just the job for our needs.
Easy to put together and the option for additional shelves wooden or glass is a bonus
Great bookcaseAnonymous reviewerThis bookcase is assembled to other Billy items. It is sturdy and looks really nice.
Billy BookcaseAnonymous reviewerLooks great, easy to assemble, a good buy for any small room
Perfect size and easy to assembleAnonymous reviewerThis is the perfect size for next to my desk, it holds all my most used books and stationery. Love the warm colour, looks great.
Change of colour finishAnonymous reviewerHave bought many BILLY products over the recent years, oak finish always, always matching. This time the product finish is not the same. Have given the unit away to family, no use to me.
good valueAnonymous reviewera versatile piece of furniture that is easy to adapt to ones own needs
BillyAnonymous reviewerIt's a Billy bookcase - you know what you are getting and you get what you are expecting.
Easy to construct, solid, would be nice in different colours but it is what it is.
Billy to the rescue!Anonymous reviewerWhat a versatile piece of furniture Billy bookcase is- not expensive, easy to assemble (really) and answer to my book storage problems in a small space
Customer reviews
4.7Average rating
933Reviews
4.7Average rating
933Reviews
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Story
An updated storage hero
BILLY bookcase has been a steady customer favourite for more than 40 years – but old faithful servants also need to be updated to keep up with the times. We took a closer look at BILLY and came up with some ideas. One of them means more efficient use of materials, and another makes the bookcase easier to assemble and take apart.
“BILLY was introduced in 1979 and has helped millions of people to organize books and other things in the home. But the world has changed a lot since then, and even popular big-sellers need to adapt to new demands and ways of living,” says Umut Ates, one of our co-workers.
Paper means smarter use of raw materials
Easier to assemble and take apart
BILLY fits just as well in the living room as in other areas of the home – the office, dining room or library. It’s easy to expand and combine with other furniture. But one thing that has had potential for improvement is how the bookcase is assembled and taken apart. “Previously, you had to nail about 50 small nails to get the back panel in place, but that’s history now. Instead, you snap on the back panel without any tools,” explains Umut. It also makes it easier to disassemble BILLY without damaging it if you move or want to resell your bookcase. “The improvements have made BILLY more adaptable – it can keep up changing life situations – and it wouldn’t surprise me if this storage hero is as popular in 40 years as it is today.”