Hello everyone,
I am looking for recommendations for IKEA Billy bookcases that work especially well in small rooms. My room is quite small, so deep or wide models are not really an option because they take up too much space. Flexible shelves that could also fit well into small niches or corners would be important.
I’m particularly interested in which models you recommend for similarly tight spaces, what dimensions work best, and whether there are versions with special features like sliding doors or built-in drawers that make the most of the available space.
Also, I would like to know if height plays a role in small rooms or if it is generally better to choose shallow shelves. Thanks in advance for your advice!
I am looking for recommendations for IKEA Billy bookcases that work especially well in small rooms. My room is quite small, so deep or wide models are not really an option because they take up too much space. Flexible shelves that could also fit well into small niches or corners would be important.
I’m particularly interested in which models you recommend for similarly tight spaces, what dimensions work best, and whether there are versions with special features like sliding doors or built-in drawers that make the most of the available space.
Also, I would like to know if height plays a role in small rooms or if it is generally better to choose shallow shelves. Thanks in advance for your advice!
In general, I recommend the classic BILLY models with a depth of 28 cm (11 inches) for small rooms. Their standard size makes them versatile without taking up too much floor space.
The height of 202 cm (79.5 inches) is quite tall, which can be effectively used in small rooms by maximizing vertical space. For very low ceilings, there are shorter versions available with a height of 106 cm (41.7 inches).
For small corners, I recommend the BILLY corner cabinet (rounded arch), which has a particularly space-saving design and offers hidden storage areas.
Sliding doors do save space when opening, but they are rather rare for BILLY and usually available only as accessories.
The height of 202 cm (79.5 inches) is quite tall, which can be effectively used in small rooms by maximizing vertical space. For very low ceilings, there are shorter versions available with a height of 106 cm (41.7 inches).
For small corners, I recommend the BILLY corner cabinet (rounded arch), which has a particularly space-saving design and offers hidden storage areas.
Sliding doors do save space when opening, but they are rather rare for BILLY and usually available only as accessories.
In my small apartment, I also chose the classic BILLY with a depth of 28cm (11 inches) and a height of 106cm (42 inches). They take up very little space but still offer plenty of storage – with a certain Swedish charm as well ;-)
What I like is the BILLY with glass doors (which makes it look less bulky) and the option to add extra shelves, providing more flexibility. In small rooms, it’s always a balancing act to avoid overcrowding while still being able to store everything.
What I like is the BILLY with glass doors (which makes it look less bulky) and the option to add extra shelves, providing more flexibility. In small rooms, it’s always a balancing act to avoid overcrowding while still being able to store everything.
Hello karsten7,
the BILLY series is generally very well suited for small spaces, mainly due to the compactness of the shelves. I would like to add that combining lower and taller units is often an advantage: for example, you can place 106 cm (42 inches) high shelves in a small niche and next to them the 202 cm (79 inches) version to make optimal use of the volume.
You can also use shelves with doors to make the unit appear less visually overwhelming. In small rooms, sometimes less is more in terms of appearance.
If the depth (28 cm / 11 inches) is a bit too much, there are narrow BILLY wall shelves that are only 15 cm (6 inches) deep, but these offer less storage space.
the BILLY series is generally very well suited for small spaces, mainly due to the compactness of the shelves. I would like to add that combining lower and taller units is often an advantage: for example, you can place 106 cm (42 inches) high shelves in a small niche and next to them the 202 cm (79 inches) version to make optimal use of the volume.
You can also use shelves with doors to make the unit appear less visually overwhelming. In small rooms, sometimes less is more in terms of appearance.
If the depth (28 cm / 11 inches) is a bit too much, there are narrow BILLY wall shelves that are only 15 cm (6 inches) deep, but these offer less storage space.
I would recommend the standard BILLY with a depth of 28cm (11 inches), as it offers the best balance between storage space and footprint.
For small rooms, models with a height of 106cm (42 inches) are quite sufficient and help prevent the space from feeling cramped.
Regarding doors: BILLY shelves with sliding doors are rare and expensive; instead, I suggest curtains or hinged doors, provided there is enough room to open them.
For small rooms, models with a height of 106cm (42 inches) are quite sufficient and help prevent the space from feeling cramped.
Regarding doors: BILLY shelves with sliding doors are rare and expensive; instead, I suggest curtains or hinged doors, provided there is enough room to open them.
TRADI schrieb:
the combination of low and high units is often advantageousI find that an interesting approach. Do you have examples of typical dimensions showing how to effectively plan such combinations in a room of about 10 square meters (with a low ceiling height of 2.30 m (7 ft 7 in))?
The idea with the doors also sounds interesting – are the BILLY doors sturdy enough, and is there any experience regarding their durability under daily use?
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