Ikea hacks its Billy bookcase with a space-saving desk
The Billy bookcase is Ikea's most iconic design, though some may argue the Poang chair or Klippan sofa are close contenders. Well it's had a bit of a makeover, and the latest iteration is perfect for small space living.
The Swedish furniture retailer has launched the Billy bookcase desk, a practical space-saving WFH solution that seamlessly incorporates a desk into your existing bookcase.
This new double-duty desk and storage combination can be used as an office/workspace during the day and a dining table come evening. A dream hack for compact spaces, the £45 add-on recedes into the bookcase when not in use. There's also the option to buy the complete bookcase desk for £115, or to combine it with the Oxberg doors for a seamless look, which will set you back £165.
While a bookcase desk is not groundbreaking in the world of furniture design, for Ikea's bestselling Billy range it's a pretty significant update and a move that explores the multipurpose potential of this humble storage unit.
The Billy bookcase, designed by Gillis Lundgren in 1978 (fun fact: it was named after Ikea colleague Billy Liljedahl who expressed his desire for a 'proper' bookcase), is fully customisable and available in a multitude of sizes and combinations (narrow, corner, drawers, shelves, doors etc.).
Loved by bibliophiles to build out home libraries or reading corners, the Billy range is also a longtime favourite among Ikea hackers for providing a blank canvas to more creative home storage solutions.
In 2022 Billy was relaunched to make it more circular and affordable. This included swapping the wood veneer for high-quality paper foil using the latest printing technology, using a nail-free back panel to snap in and out of place more easily (making it easy to assemble and disassemble when moving house), and replacing the plastic with paper edge bands.
Billy has earned its 'iconic' status simply for being a timeless yet versatile storage unit in the home for more than 40 years. With city dwellers living in smaller homes and the rise in multipurpose spaces in a post-Covid world, investing in nifty furniture like the bookcase desk is sure to enhance the flexibility and functionality of your living space.
More than just Billy...
The Billy bookcase desk is another small space solution from Ikea – and there are plenty more to come. During a visit to Ikea's HQ in Almhult, Sweden earlier this year, House Beautiful were given an exclusive first-look at some prototypes focused entirely around small space living and multifunctional furniture.
There are some exciting products in the pipeline that could be released in the near future. From a Murphy bed to a height-adjustable table that takes you from day to night, Ikea has been exploring new concepts, many of which are currently being pilot tested. Fingers crossed they make it into stores!
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