ᐅ Which BILLY models are suitable for living rooms?

Hello everyone, I’m planning to get a BILLY bookcase from IKEA for my living room and I’m unsure which models are best suited for this. Specifically, I’m interested in which BILLY variants work best in a living room based on their dimensions, design, and storage options – not just for books, but also for decorations, media devices, or other home décor. Are there differences between the BILLY models that I should consider when choosing, for example in terms of different depths, heights, and doors? Which bookcases fit well both visually and functionally in a living room without appearing too bulky or too plain? I look forward to your experiences and recommendations!

For the living room, I recommend the BILLY shelves with a depth of 40cm (16 inches), as they provide more storage space for larger items. If you want more protection, choose a version with glass doors, which also looks more elegant.

Ryanbla schrieb:
Are there differences between the BILLY models that I should consider when choosing, such as variations in depth, height, and doors?

The BILLY series mainly offers two standard depths: 28 cm (11 inches) and 40 cm (16 inches). For living rooms, the deeper option is usually recommended, as it appears more substantial and provides more storage space. There are also various heights available: 106 cm (42 inches), 202 cm (79 inches), and 237 cm (93 inches). Shorter shelves often create a cozier feel and are less imposing. Glass doors or solid doors provide dust protection while allowing for attractive display of decorations. It is important to consider the ceiling height and the primary use, whether you need more open shelves or prefer closed compartments.

andre3 schrieb:
The BILLY series mainly offers two standard depths: 28 cm and 40 cm (11 inches and 16 inches). For living rooms, the deeper option is usually recommended because it looks more solid and provides more storage space.

I can only agree with that! Especially in the living room, where you often want to store a plant, larger books, or decorations, I find the 40 cm (16 inches) models much more practical. 🙂

If you prefer a cozier look, you can also try the versions with glass doors – they protect the contents but keep the furniture feeling light and airy. I would choose the height according to the room size, not too tall so it doesn’t seem too bulky.

One more tip: Adding some nice baskets or boxes to the lower compartments immediately creates more organization and allows you to quickly hide cables or small items. 😉

In my opinion, BILLY with glass doors is great for the living room because you can protect books and decorations while still keeping everything visible. Choose a depth of 40 cm (16 inches) to have enough space for larger items.

Marcellela schrieb:
In my opinion, BILLY with glass doors is excellent for living rooms because it protects books and decorations while keeping everything visible.

Additionally, it should be mentioned that the glass doors of the BILLY models are usually made of tempered safety glass, which increases durability. In terms of storage space, a combination of open shelves and closed compartments is also recommended, as it creates a more balanced and structured look in the room.