ᐅ Why don’t some Billy bookcases fit properly into corners?

Created on: 1 Jul 2022 08:17
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Ivanjon
Hello everyone, I have a question that has been on my mind for a while: Why don’t some Billy bookcases from IKEA fit properly into corners? Specifically, I mean why is it that a Billy bookcase, despite its standard dimensions and seemingly simple design, cannot be positioned perfectly to fit into a room corner? Are there particular design limitations, or is it an issue related to room measurements or cutting? I find this interesting because many say Billy bookcases are flexible, but somehow they don’t seem to work well in corners. Does anyone have experience with this or can explain it in detail?
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Ivanjon
1 Jul 2022 11:34
NOAHSAU schrieb:
If you need a corner shelf, just buy one that is designed as a corner shelf – simple as that.

That’s true, but many people use Billy shelves as flexible standard shelving. My question is more about the design: Why isn’t there a way to position the shelves better in corners, for example with adjustable backs or special corner elements? They are built so simply that it should be possible.
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emmett
1 Jul 2022 12:10
IKEA focuses on simplicity and cost efficiency with the Billy bookcase. The back panel is usually not exactly 90 degrees to fit corners, and there are no corner connectors. For corners, it is better to use corner shelves or modular systems.
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Genevieve
1 Jul 2022 13:05
Ivanjon schrieb:
Why is there no option to better position shelves in corners, for example with adjustable back panels or special corner units?

That’s a really interesting question. I believe it comes down to production and inventory costs. IKEA designs products in a very standardized way to sell them worldwide in huge quantities. Special back panels with adjustable shapes or modular corner units would make the inventory catalog more complex and expensive to manage. Therefore, this is a deliberate product strategy rather than a technical limitation.
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lubla
1 Jul 2022 14:40
If you want to use a corner space, it’s better to buy a corner shelf. Billy is simply not designed for corners. Period.
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reoleon47
1 Jul 2022 16:05
A small modification helped me: I cut down the back panel slightly and added a corner connector piece from a third-party supplier. Now the shelf fits perfectly into the corner! It’s worth being a bit creative 🙂
nedagla schrieb:
So: don’t get discouraged! 😉

Exactly!
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tinau
1 Jul 2022 17:43
Billy is not designed for corners because the back panel is not at a 90-degree angle. If you want to place it properly in a corner, buy a corner shelf or build a corner yourself.