Ikea Best Selling Bookshelf: Why the BILLY Bookcase Still Rules

If you’ve ever walked through an Ikea store or browsed their catalog, you’ve definitely seen the BILLY bookcase. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done. In fact, more than 60 million BILLY units have sold worldwide since its debut in 1979—making it a true classic in the world of budget furniture. People grab them for dorm rooms, home offices, living rooms, basically anywhere you can stick a shelf.

The secret? BILLY’s dead simple design means it can slide into any space without looking out of place. It’s also one of the cheapest ways to make a blank wall actually useful. And thanks to Ikea’s flat-pack wizardry, you can toss one in the back of your car and have it up in your room an hour later.

• BILLY: The Bookshelf Everyone Knows
• What Makes BILLY So Popular?
• Getting the Size and Color Right
• BILLY Bookcase Hacks and Upgrades
• How to Make Your BILLY Last

BILLY: The Bookshelf Everyone Knows

This is the Ikea product almost everyone recognizes—ask your friends about the BILLY and chances are, they’ve owned one. It first showed up in Ikea’s lineup back in 1979, thanks to designer Gillis Lundgren. His idea was simple: make a bookcase that does its job, fits just about anywhere, and doesn’t cost a fortune. Maybe that’s why a new BILLY rolls off the factory line every five seconds. For a lot of people, it’s basically a rite of passage into adulthood or moving into your first real place.

What’s cool is, BILLY didn’t even have a name at first—it was just called "the bookcase" in Sweden. Over time, it got bigger, picked up more color options, and even got glass doors. But the heart of the design stayed the same: a slim, no-fuss frame that lets your books and stuff take center stage. Ikea has kept it affordable, usually under $90 for the base version, which is tough to beat if you’re watching your wallet.

People love the BILLY because you can build on it. Want taller shelves? Add extra units on top. Need something wider? Stack a couple side by side. There’s a reason you always see it on Instagram makeovers and YouTube DIY videos—it’s like a blank canvas for your storage ideas. Whether you’ve got comics, cookbooks, or gaming stuff, BILLY handles it all.

What Makes BILLY So Popular?

When you ask people why the BILLY bookcase keeps popping up everywhere, it always comes down to a few simple reasons. First, you can’t beat the price. For under $100, most folks can pick up a brand new shelf that actually looks pretty decent and doesn’t wobble like a cheap imitation. That’s rare for flat-pack furniture.

Ikea designed BILLY to be flexible. Need to pack in a ton of novels or just have a few family photos to display? The shelves are adjustable, so you control the look and the layout. Plus, BILLY comes in different heights and widths, which means you can line up a whole wall for a built-in look or just tuck one into a tiny corner.

• BILLY is almost always in stock thanks to Ikea’s massive production scale.
• It’s available in several colors, so you aren’t stuck with just white or black.
• You can buy extra shelves or doors at any time, which helps you adapt as your needs change.

Another fact: The BILLY has barely changed since 1979. Talk about a solid design that stands the test of time. It’s not just for books, either. People use it for collectibles, shoes, plants, and even turn it into pantries or record shelves. That’s the kind of versatility you hardly see in other bookcases.

And, weird fact—on average, 15 BILLY bookcases are sold around the world every minute. That’s because when it comes to a best selling bookshelf, the BILLY just works for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a tiny apartment or decking out your first house. It just fits.

Getting the Size and Color Right

Picking the right BILLY bookcase can be a game-changer for any space. Ikea has kept things pretty simple, but even then, it’s easy to get a bit lost if you’re not paying attention to details. The main thing to start with: measure your space. You’d be surprised how many folks just eyeball it and end up with shelves jutting out in weird spots or squashed behind a door.

BILLY comes in several standard heights: 41 inches, 79.5 inches, and, in some regions, a mid-size around 65 inches. Width-wise, the go-to is 31.5 inches, but there’s a skinny 15.75-inch version if you’re working with a tight squeeze. Depth is almost always 11 inches, which fits most paperbacks spine-out but might struggle with those giant reference books.

To keep things easy, here’s a quick comparison:

Color options look pretty basic at first, but they cover most vibes: white (the all-time best seller for that classic Ikea look), black-brown (which looks pretty sleek in modern or office settings), and a wood effect (usually birch veneer, but sometimes oak pops up, depending on your store). Pro tip: BILLY’s finish is perfect for painting. If you don’t like what’s on offer, plenty of folks just slap on primer and go wild with custom colors.

• If you’re planning to place a row of bookcases together, stick with one shade for a seamless look.
• If you want a freestanding statement, going bold—like black-brown or painted—can turn a bookshelf into a room’s focus.
• Mixing and matching sizes is common; you can stack the short ones or put a skinny between two standard units for built-in vibes.

Before heading to the store or placing your order online, check inventory for specific sizes and shades—popular colors sell out fast, especially the taller white BILLYs. You don’t want to design a wall of bookshelves and end up missing a key piece. And always double-check the heights if you’re planning to add Ikea’s optional extension units for extra storage on top.

BILLY Bookcase Hacks and Upgrades

You might think the BILLY bookcase looks pretty basic out of the box, but it’s famous for how many ways you can customize it. People have turned them into built-ins, mudroom lockers, kitchen pantries—you name it. If you want a standout piece without breaking the bank, the BILLY is your friend.

For starters, the shelves are fully adjustable, so you can fit anything from graphic novels to giant cookbooks. If you line up a few BILLYs together and add the optional height extension units, you can pretty much cover an entire wall from floor to ceiling (just check your ceiling height first—these extensions add 13 inches).

• BILLY + Doors: Swap open shelves for glass or solid doors (Ikea sells options like OXBERG). This is great for hiding clutter or protecting your stuff from dust.
• Built-In Look: Push your bookcases together, install moulding around the edges, and paint to match your walls. Suddenly, BILLY looks custom—not budget.
• Wallpaper or Paint: Slap some peel-and-stick wallpaper on the back panel or paint it for a splash of color. Easy and totally reversible if you get tired of it down the road.
• Lighting: Add stick-on LED strips or Ikea’s own lighting kits to light up your shelves. This is a game changer for displaying collectibles or just making the shelf look fancier at night.
• Closed Storage: Pair lower shelves with storage boxes or baskets to hide papers, toys, and whatever else tends to pile up out of sight.

Still unsure about durability? The easiest upgrade is reinforcing the backing. The thin board Ikea includes works, but a sturdier piece of plywood keeps the bookcase from wobbling—especially if you plan to stash heavy textbooks or big photo albums.

Check out this quick breakdown of popular BILLY bookcase upgrades people actually use:

The beauty of the BILLY is how you can start simple, then add on as your budget grows or your style changes. If you ever get bored, you can tear everything down and change it up—no regrets, no big risks.

How to Make Your BILLY Last

So you’ve joined the army of Ikea BILLY bookcase owners. But if you want your best selling bookshelf to go the distance, there are a few things you should know. While the BILLY is a straightforward piece of furniture, a little care and some smart moves will help yours keep looking sharp and standing strong for years.

First off, always anchor your BILLY to the wall. This isn’t just a suggestion—Ikea even includes the wall bracket for a reason. Toppling bookcases aren’t just annoying, they’re dangerous, especially if you young kids or curious pets around. The supplied brackets make a big difference, and they’re worth the extra five minutes to install.

• Don’t overload the shelves. BILLY shelves work great for books and decorations, but stack too many heavy hardcovers and you’ll see the shelves start to bow. The official limit is about 30 lbs per shelf, so spread things out.
• Use the adjustable pegs correctly. They pop into pre-drilled holes and keep things stable. If you lose a peg, replacements are easy to find at Ikea or even online because it’s a standard size.
• Keep moisture away. The particleboard underneath that laminate finish does not get along with water. Wipe up spills right away and avoid putting your BILLY next to humidifiers or radiators.

Curious how long BILLY typically survives a normal household? According to Ikea’s own testing, the bookcase is designed for at least 10 years of regular use—assuming you treat it decently. That means not dragging it by one side or stuffing the shelves with more weight than they’re built for.

If you ever want to move your BILLY, take the shelves out first instead of dragging the whole thing loaded. That keeps the sides from splitting and stops those annoying wobbles after a move. For extra staying power, some folks even add a thin bead of wood glue at the joints during assembly, especially for bookcases that get lots of heavy use.

Bottom line: a BILLY bookcase is only as sturdy as you treat it. Take these tips, and chances are your BILLY bookcase will easily outlast your lease.