ᐅ Which Billy bookcases are ideal for small spaces?

Hello everyone, I am currently planning to better organize my small room and am considering which Ikea Billy bookcases are best suited for very small spaces. It is important to me that they don’t look too bulky, are as flexible as possible in use, and ideally save space without visually overwhelming the room. Does anyone have experience with the different sizes and versions of the Billy bookcases in the context of tight living areas? Are there any tips on which shelf height, width, or depth to prefer in order to maximize storage while not overcrowding the room? I am also interested in whether there are smart combinations or additions that make the most of the storage space—such as with doors, drawers, or additional shelves. Looking forward to your opinions and experiences!

I would recommend the Billy shelves with a depth of 40cm (16 inches). They don't take up too much space and are still sturdy. For small rooms, narrower options are better, so rather 20cm (8 inches) or 40cm (16 inches) wide, but not wider.

Hello dameo39, your question is very well thought out and highly relevant for small spaces. From my experience, narrow Billy shelves with a depth of 20 cm (8 inches) work particularly well since they barely extend into the room. The height should ideally be matched to the room size: in smaller rooms, lower shelves often appear airier and less dominant. If you need a lot of storage space, several narrow shelves can be placed side by side. Another option is to combine them with doors or flaps to conceal clutter and make the space look tidier. If you don’t have wall space available for shelves, narrow shelves with a depth of 20 cm (8 inches) can also be used as room dividers. It is important to choose a color that suits the room and is light enough so as not to visually overwhelm the space.

Takutau schrieb:
If you need a lot of storage space, you can place several narrow shelves side by side.

I can only agree with that. In small rooms, it’s easy to feel cramped, so I found it helpful not to stack shelves all the way up to the ceiling, but rather to use several separate units that can be arranged flexibly. For me personally, that took the pressure off feeling the need to fill the room as much as possible.

At first, I was also worried that Billy shelves might look too plain, but with a few decorative and storage boxes, they look really cozy. I know how frustrating it can be to have limited space, but with the right shelves, the room immediately feels bigger.

Trenton schrieb:
I would recommend the Billy shelves with a depth of 40 cm (16 inches).

Interesting that you suggest 40 cm (16 inches). I find 40 cm (16 inches) a bit too much for a small room. In my opinion, the standard 28 cm (11 inches) depth is ideal for compact spaces. Also, people who have enough room tend to think “bigger is better” too quickly and lose the balance between functionality and cramped space.

Takutau schrieb:
Choose light colors to avoid making the space feel overwhelmed.

That’s my point as well. I also think classic white works well, but why not add a splash of color sometimes? Especially in small rooms, a bold back-panel stripe behind the shelving can add visual interest and prevent the furniture from looking like dull placeholders.

Thanks already for the great insights! @Takutau: You bring up an important point about matching the dimensions to the room. My room is actually quite small, about 10 sqm (108 sq ft), and tall shelves are difficult because of the ceiling height of 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in). I prefer something closer to the floor.

@nojaus: Your comment about visual effect and order is also important. Do you have any tips on which types of storage boxes work well with Billy shelves without making it look too busy?

@nanidra: The idea of adding color also interests me, but I’m unsure if patterned back panels might draw too much attention to the shelves—especially in smaller rooms. Have you had any experience with that?