ᐅ Which Billy models are suitable for both an office and a living room?
Created on: 28 Sep 2017 10:23
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riccardopuR
riccardopu28 Sep 2017 10:23Hello everyone,
I am currently considering getting a Billy bookshelf that I can use both in my office and in the living room. I’m looking for models that are visually and functionally versatile enough to fit well in both spaces. It is important to me that the bookshelf does not look too much like typical office furniture but is still sturdy enough to hold binders and work materials. Are there specific Billy models or variations you would recommend that particularly suit this combination of office and living room compatibility?
I would appreciate any advice regarding dimensions, colors, accessories, or the materials used!
I am currently considering getting a Billy bookshelf that I can use both in my office and in the living room. I’m looking for models that are visually and functionally versatile enough to fit well in both spaces. It is important to me that the bookshelf does not look too much like typical office furniture but is still sturdy enough to hold binders and work materials. Are there specific Billy models or variations you would recommend that particularly suit this combination of office and living room compatibility?
I would appreciate any advice regarding dimensions, colors, accessories, or the materials used!
J
Johnathon28 Sep 2017 11:37Hello riccardopu,
first of all, regarding your question about which Billy models are suitable for the office and living room: basically, all versions with a simple design and neutral colors are an option here, as they offer the most flexibility for combinations. The classic Billy models in white, black-brown, or oak tones are often the first choice.
When choosing, it is also important to be clear about your space requirements and intended use. If you want to store many lever arch files in the office, pay attention to the shelf depth – the standard depth of 28 cm (11 inches) is just sufficient for files, while those needing more storage room for files usually opt for the deeper option of 40 cm (16 inches). However, the latter tends to look more like an office shelving unit and can appear somewhat bulky in the living room.
The versions with glass doors or closed doors can be more visually appealing in the living room, as they hide books or decorations, while at the same time protecting documents in the office from dust.
Additional shelves with cover panels or top cabinets can also be helpful for extra organization.
I would be interested to know exactly how much storage space you are planning for and the size of your room. That would help to make more concrete suggestions.
first of all, regarding your question about which Billy models are suitable for the office and living room: basically, all versions with a simple design and neutral colors are an option here, as they offer the most flexibility for combinations. The classic Billy models in white, black-brown, or oak tones are often the first choice.
When choosing, it is also important to be clear about your space requirements and intended use. If you want to store many lever arch files in the office, pay attention to the shelf depth – the standard depth of 28 cm (11 inches) is just sufficient for files, while those needing more storage room for files usually opt for the deeper option of 40 cm (16 inches). However, the latter tends to look more like an office shelving unit and can appear somewhat bulky in the living room.
The versions with glass doors or closed doors can be more visually appealing in the living room, as they hide books or decorations, while at the same time protecting documents in the office from dust.
Additional shelves with cover panels or top cabinets can also be helpful for extra organization.
I would be interested to know exactly how much storage space you are planning for and the size of your room. That would help to make more concrete suggestions.
Hello riccardopu,
Your idea of looking for a Billy shelf that serves both purposes is very practical and more sustainable than buying two completely different pieces of furniture. The white version, in particular, looks modern and tidy in the living room, which also fits well in an office setting.
I would also recommend checking out the shelves with doors, as Johnathon already mentioned. From my own experience, doors not only protect against dust but also make the shelf appear calmer and more homely since you don’t have to display all your documents all the time.
If the standard shelves feel too shallow for your documents, the Billy Corner models might be interesting—they are not only deeper but also serve as a visual highlight in the living room due to their shape.
Are there specific items you need to store? That would help tailor the recommendations to your actual needs.
Your idea of looking for a Billy shelf that serves both purposes is very practical and more sustainable than buying two completely different pieces of furniture. The white version, in particular, looks modern and tidy in the living room, which also fits well in an office setting.
I would also recommend checking out the shelves with doors, as Johnathon already mentioned. From my own experience, doors not only protect against dust but also make the shelf appear calmer and more homely since you don’t have to display all your documents all the time.
If the standard shelves feel too shallow for your documents, the Billy Corner models might be interesting—they are not only deeper but also serve as a visual highlight in the living room due to their shape.
Are there specific items you need to store? That would help tailor the recommendations to your actual needs.
Hello,
For your needs, white Billy shelves with glass doors are the best option. They look simple enough for an office and elegant for a living room. Especially the models with a depth of 40 cm (16 inches) offer plenty of storage space.
If you have limited space, it's better to choose the 28 cm (11 inches) depth, but folders won’t fit well there.
For your needs, white Billy shelves with glass doors are the best option. They look simple enough for an office and elegant for a living room. Especially the models with a depth of 40 cm (16 inches) offer plenty of storage space.
If you have limited space, it's better to choose the 28 cm (11 inches) depth, but folders won’t fit well there.
Hello riccardopu,
I’d like to add a few points here, especially since you mentioned that the shelf needs to be sturdy enough for filing binders but shouldn’t look like a typical office shelf.
Models with real wood veneer are usually the best choice, for example, the Billy shelves in oak color with a white back panel. They have the advantage of a natural wood appearance, which makes them feel more homely, while still being strong enough to hold heavy binders.
Another option is to combine the Billy shelves with doors. You can use the doors in the living room to create a tidy look. In an office, they protect against dust and help keep things organized. Since the doors are available in white or wood finishes, they visually blend well.
I also recommend adjusting the shelf heights carefully. Filing binders need about 30 cm (12 inches) of height, while books often fit into 25 cm (10 inches). If you want flexibility to store both books and binders, you should keep this in mind when assembling the shelves.
Quote from Johnathon:
That is an important point, as proportions can significantly affect the overall look. Do you have an idea of how many binders you want to store approximately and how large the rooms are?
I’d like to add a few points here, especially since you mentioned that the shelf needs to be sturdy enough for filing binders but shouldn’t look like a typical office shelf.
Models with real wood veneer are usually the best choice, for example, the Billy shelves in oak color with a white back panel. They have the advantage of a natural wood appearance, which makes them feel more homely, while still being strong enough to hold heavy binders.
Another option is to combine the Billy shelves with doors. You can use the doors in the living room to create a tidy look. In an office, they protect against dust and help keep things organized. Since the doors are available in white or wood finishes, they visually blend well.
I also recommend adjusting the shelf heights carefully. Filing binders need about 30 cm (12 inches) of height, while books often fit into 25 cm (10 inches). If you want flexibility to store both books and binders, you should keep this in mind when assembling the shelves.
Quote from Johnathon:
Johnathon schrieb:
liter Tiefe von 40 cm. Letztere wird jedoch optisch eher zu einem Büroregal und kann im Wohnzimmer etwas klobig wirken.
That is an important point, as proportions can significantly affect the overall look. Do you have an idea of how many binders you want to store approximately and how large the rooms are?
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riccardopu28 Sep 2017 16:03poted schrieb:
Do you have an idea of how many binders you want to store approximately, and what the size of the rooms are?Thanks in advance to everyone for the suggestions!
To clarify: I need space in the office shelving area for about 6-8 standard-sized binders (each about 7 cm (3 inches) wide). The living room shelves are intended more for books, decorations, and files that are not used frequently.
The office room is approximately 12 square meters (130 square feet), and the living room about 20 square meters (215 square feet). Both rooms have a rather modern design, meaning the furniture shouldn’t look too bulky; preferably a bit minimalist with clean lines. I like the idea of using doors, as that makes the overall appearance calmer.
So far, I’m leaning towards the classic white Billy shelving unit, possibly with glass doors or closed doors, to elegantly meet the different needs.
Do you have any recommendations for accessories (e.g. shelves or back panels) for this?
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