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.”
BILLY 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.
Article Number505.086.52
Product details
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 doors, 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.
A single unit can be enough storage for a limited space – but you can add more bookcases, extension units and shelves to create a larger storage solution if your needs change.
The wooden expression with a tactile wood texture brings a warm and natural feel into your home and adds a beautiful and vibrant look to the room.
The back panel fixes in place with snap fittings – making BILLY easy to assemble and disassemble, so you can bring it when moving instead of buying a new one.
Designer
Gillis Lundgren
Good to know
Keep in mind that you need enough space between the top of the furniture and the ceiling to be able to anchor the product to the wall.
1 fixed shelf and 4 adjustable shelves included.
May be completed with doors; available in different colours and designs.
May be completed with extra shelves to add storage space.
May be completed with BILLY height extension unit in the same width and depth for added vertical storage.
Product is possible to recycle or use for energy recovery, if available in your community.
IKEA of Sweden AB SE-343 81 Älmhult, IKEA.com
Materials and care
Material
- Basematerial/ Side panel:
- Particleboard, Paper foil, Plastic edging
- Plinth front:
- Particleboard, Paper foil
- Back:
- Fibreboard, Paint, Paper foil
Care
Wipe clean with a cloth dampened in a mild cleaner.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Safety and compliance
Must be anchored to the wall. Different wall materials require different types of fixing devices. Use fixing devices suitable for the walls in your home, sold separately.
Assembly and documents
Assembly instructions
BILLY Bookcase505.086.52Advice and care instructions
BILLY Bookcase505.086.52Weight & measurements
- Width: 80 cm
- Depth: 28 cm
- Height: 202 cm
- Max. load/shelf: 30 kg
Package details
BILLY
Article Number505.086.52- Width: 30 cm
- Height: 13 cm
- Length: 207 cm
- Weight: 39.75 kg
- Package(s): 1
Reviews
BillyAnonymous reviewerBilly bookcase is a solid bookcase with different sizes to fit all areas in your
Useful bookcaseAnonymous reviewerEasy to assemble just wish skirting board height could vary
Excellent value and qualityAnonymous reviewerThe iconic Billy bookcase remains an excellent example of the quality and great value available at Ikea. I bought two several years ago for my first flat. Recently my son needed storage and we decided on the Billy bookcase. Easy to assemble from the clear instructions (my 3 year old Granddaughter helped) and substantial once built. I love tis item and recommend it yo all
RecommendedAnonymous reviewerBought this bookcase along with a smaller one to create a corner library area. Really pleased. Great price too!!
You get what you pay for!!!!Anonymous reviewerEasy to put together.
Billy bookcaseAnonymous reviewerIkea's signature piece remains very good quality and good value for money.
Uniformity in my LibraryAnonymous reviewerHaving all my books in different places I was able to create a uniform set-up in a small room whereby I could easily access all my books. This was an affordable and neat set- up.
BillyAnonymous reviewerWho doesn't love a Billy bookcase? Robust, easy to build, looks great. Brilliant, 'go to' product.
Good product, bad instructionsAnonymous reviewerHalfway through construction in the room for which it was destined, I realised that I needed twice the length of the product height in order to insert the back panel. This information should have been clearly stated at the start of the instructions, alongside the tools required.
It is a very small room and I had no assistance, so I found myself in a difficult situation.
So cuteAnonymous reviewerWasn’t too difficult to build!! Perfect size for my room. Only difficult part was getting the pieces up the stairs as they were sooooo heavy
Great bookcase. Very easy to assembleAnonymous reviewerWe bought an additional bookcase to go with one from ikea that we already have. The bookcase is great, very strong and was easy to assemble. Billy bookcases have been along term product from ikea and are great value for money
Strong BookcaseAnonymous reviewerPurchased with doors and extra shelves to use as a shoe cupboard. Perfect for the job.
Straightforward to assemble.
OAK-colour tone wasn’t same as the pictureAnonymous reviewerI got this bookcase as it looks really nice and I needed doors as well. But the tone was different, cold unlike the oak one in the picture. but the product code was correct. I questioned myself and then I removed the sticker that shows the product colour, put it on one of the pieces and again, it’s different. the one I got is a cold brown colour. It may not be easy to spare closer tones but it’s easy to see difference in warm and cold tone. asked for replacement but Im concerned that new delivery will be similar, the product code is correct, the product in the shop seems much warmer yet somehow I get s colder tone with correct product code. can’t blame anyone apart from the factory which preps these boxes. if I had time I would ask them to check the colour they sent to me so that it doesn’t happen again.
Help..Anonymous reviewerBookcase , snapped grey plastic connector, bows in the middle...
Great bookcaseAnonymous reviewerPerfect size and fit for the room well made
Billy bookcaseAnonymous reviewerNice addition to our living room. Stable and roomy
Billy Book caseAnonymous reviewerThe size and price are perfect for my need ! We bought three of same model as bookcases in the past six months.
Neat, flexible and great value.Anonymous reviewerI like the fact that the shelves can be fitted in different positions and that extra shelves are available. The units are well constructed and easy to put together, giving a very neat wall of storage.
Shoe storageAnonymous reviewerI bought extra shelving and added doors. It now keeps all my shoes and boots in an orderly fashion. It brilliant. I love it. Fits in alcove perfectly.
Sturdy and looks great.Anonymous reviewerI’m so pleased with this cabinet. I bought it to store my perfumes and it looks so good and far more expensive than the price paid. It also assembled really easily too. You can’t go wrong with a Billy cupboard.
Customer reviews
4.7Average rating
236Reviews
Accessories for BILLY
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.”
Material
An updated storage hero
BILLY bookcase has been a customer favourite for over 40 years – but old faithful servants also need to be updated to keep up with the times. We took a closer look at this storage hero and came up with some ideas. One means more efficient use of materials – another makes the bookcase easier to assemble and take apart. The improvements can be hard to see – except on the price tag – which has become even more pleasant reading.