Discover what the Billy Bookcase system is and how it transformed our townhouse living room—helping it function better and feel like home.
When I first published this post years ago, we had just moved into our townhouse and were working through how to set up our space. We debated whether to invest in a set of Billy Bookcases from Ikea.
Now, eight years later, I can say without hesitation that they were the best furniture purchase we made for this space. Since this post was first written, we completed an entire Billy Bookcase wall, adding Craftsman-style trim to make it look like a built-in custom unit.
Below is the original post, updated to reflect how much the Billy Bookcase system changed our living room and our approach to storage in a small home.
The downsizing challenge
One of the biggest challenges of downsizing was finding enough storage. During the unpacking process I often felt overwhelmed and discouraged. I kept asking myself, “Where am I going to put all the things?”
From the moment we toured the townhouse, I had been thinking about the large wall in the living room where the TV sits. The entryway closet creates a small alcove at one end of that wall, and I imagined floor-to-ceiling shelving or a built-in to make the most of the space. Budget limitations ruled out many custom options, so I felt stuck—until a trip to Ikea changed everything.
Meeting Billy
Ikea’s showroom is a great place for small-space solutions. The Billy Bookcase caught my eye immediately. It’s practical, affordable, and visually clean—qualities that make it ideal for a townhouse living room. The Billy system is flexible: it offers tall and short units, different widths, optional doors (solid or glass), and a range of finishes, so you can mix and match to suit your needs and style.
The system includes tall units for reaching ceiling height and shorter units for lower ceilings or to create layered looks. Doors are sold separately, some with glass panels and some solid, allowing you to display decor on open shelves while hiding clutter behind closed fronts. All of these options make the Billy system highly adaptable to different rooms and functions.
Adding Billys one step at a time
We had planned for the tall Billys, but they wouldn’t fit in our car. So we started smaller: two short Billys and four doors. It was a practical, budget-friendly way to begin, and the impact was immediate. Having defined storage made unpacking doable—suddenly boxes had a place to go and the living room felt organized.
The before-and-after difference was striking. The short Billys framed the TV and created visual balance, while the doors provided concealed storage for items we didn’t want on display. Because the system is modular, it’s easy to expand later if you decide to add taller units, extra shelves, or trim to create a built-in look.
Practical benefits beyond storage
Beyond freeing up space and hiding clutter, the Billys helped solve a lighting problem. We positioned lamps in front of mirrored panels and reflective surfaces on the bookcases, which bounced light around the room and made the space feel brighter and more welcoming. Small styling choices like this can have a big effect on atmosphere when square footage is limited.
I also learned that assembly is manageable even if you tackle it solo. The simplicity and reasonable price point of the Billy system made it easy to experiment: start with a couple of units, see how they function, and add more as needed.
After living with the Billys for years, I’m convinced they were one of the best investments we made while furnishing our townhouse. They provided flexible, attractive storage and helped the room feel complete. I suspect these won’t be the last Billys we bring into this house.
Just FYI, I wasn’t compensated in any way by Ikea for sharing my experience. I’m simply enthusiastic about finding a solution that worked so well for our home.
More on our Billy Bookcase journey
- We eventually completed a full Billy Bookcase wall and added Craftsman-style trim to achieve a built-in appearance—details on that project are available in the post titled “adding moulding to ikea billy bookcase”.
- We used clever organizing tricks to hide office supplies in the living room, turning the Billy into a functional home office storage solution—see our tips in the post about organizing office supplies in Billy Bookcases.
- If you’re interested in styling, we have simple steps for arranging a farmhouse-style bookcase using the Billy system—an easy approach to make the shelves feel curated rather than cluttered.
If you’re downsizing, decorating a small living room, or just need flexible storage, consider the Billy Bookcase system. It’s an affordable, adaptable solution that can grow with your needs and help a small space feel both organized and welcoming.
