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, brown walnut effect, 31 1/2x11x79 1/2 "
Price $ 89.00
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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 customize 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 personalize by adding boxes, lighting and your favorite 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 stationary shelf and 4 adjustable shelves included.
May be used with doors; available in different colors and designs.
May be completed with extra shelves to add storage space.
Can be used with BILLY height extension unit in the same width for added storage vertically.
Product is possible to recycle or use for energy recovery, if available in your community.
Materials and care
Material
- Main parts/ Side panel:
- Particleboard, Paper foil, Plastic edging
- Plinth front:
- Particleboard, Paper foil
- Back:
- Fiberboard, Paint, Paper foil
Care
Wipe clean using a damp cloth and a mild cleaner.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Safety and compliance
Must be secured to the wall. Different wall materials require different types of hardware. 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 Bookcase505.086.52Measurements
- Width: 31 1/2 "
- Depth: 11 "
- Height: 79 1/2 "
- Max load/shelf: 66 lb
Packaging
BILLY
Article Number505.086.52- Width: 11 ¾ "
- Height: 5 "
- Length: 81 ¼ "
- Weight: 87 lb 10 oz
- Package(s): 1
Reviews
Quality Control is GarbageTrevorJust left Ikea and started putting it together and it didn't come with enough wooden pegs that are necessary for the backbone of its structure. Are you guys kidding me?
Good QualityRachelI have bought two for daughters room and two for my craft room, LOve them. Instructions easy to read and a little muscle not to bad putting together. Just make sure you have room to work around.
Beautiful bookshelfMarkThis is a great, standard, bookshelf. Easy to put together. Great finish. Looks wonderful. The height extension units are great (NOTE: they bring the height to withing an inch of standard apartment ceilings). I plan to get quite a few more and build my library out.
LibraryJohnEasy to assemble and just what I needed
One Versatile Piece of FurnitureIsisThe Billy is a classic. I am reorganizing my library of books and collectibles in our new condo, and a wall of Billy works perfectly. The frame quality is pretty solid. The shelves are modular, which is helpful when you have items of so many sizes. It looks great, works great.
Garbage KEEP AWAY!ChrisAt one time this line may have been an an excellent item, not anymore. the wood is very cheap large chip particle board so has no strength, the back is just chipboard, thinner than an hardbound book cover. even with all these faults I had very high hopes for this, it looks decent enough for cheap furniture. HOWEVER, the FATAL flaw is the shelf pegs are too short and will I will barely support the shelf. I had my shelfs fail as soon as any weight was put on them. causing enough damage the shelf is now unusable. Ikea should be ashamed to have there name on this product. the second one I bought will be getting returned. this product WILL get someone seriously hurt in the future. there is no way i would trust this product in a house with young children. I will be reaching out to corporate level customer service, because this needs a redesign BAD.
Sturdy, affordable, timeless bookshelfAmandaWe own a handful of these shelves and they have been excellent. They hold a lot of weight and never go out of style. Most of our shelves are for books, but some are for small houseplants. The assembly isn't too bad, either.
Tall Black Billy BookcaseLeslieWe placed two of these side by side. Looks Looks fantastic. Was easy to assble.
Easy AssemblyJorgeIt took me only one hour to finish the job. Okay, I have a bit of experiences, done ‘bout 20 IKEA products.
Easy to assembleTroyEasy to assemble
Cheap materialsBobbyThe back panel is just a thin paperboard so it breaks easily.
Functions as expectedNancyThis is my third Billy bookcase, all in use in my sewing room. The only downside was they went on sale about 6 weeks after I bought mine!🤦♀️
Really DisappointingChristopherI bought this (new version) to replace one of my bookcases the movers damaged beyond repair. IKEA has cut so many corners with this new design and it’s very disappointing. The quality has completely dropped. You can see the seams, the bookcase has damage (that they knew before it was packaged and attempted to cover up), and multiple scratches. I really hope IKEA addresses this issues and reruns to the previous design.
Easy AssembleSonithaI Assembled three of these shelves by myself. It was simple and straightforward.
Billy bookcasesRonI think they are well worth the price. Easy to put together. I painted mine and they work well.
billy bookcaseSamanthalooks great..easy to put together
Billy bookcase transformation!!EvonneI love my Billy bookcases. I was able to transform them into beautiful china cabinets.
IKEA bookcaseWaleedExcellent quality and price
Billy is Even Better!LisaThe "new" Billy bookcase has incorporated pre-drilled holes in the unit that allow for a seamless attachment of the back panel to the unit. It's spectacular ;-)
Easy to put together, weaker than the old oneMelindaIt was a dream to put together but I can't help but feel that the shelves will not support my heavy books like the old ones and I do not put many on them.
Customer reviews
4.6Average rating
2540Reviews
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Story
An updated storage hero
BILLY bookcase has been a steady customer favorite for more than 40 years – but old faithful favorites 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 use 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 favorite for over 40 years – but even old faithful servants 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 and 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 to see.