Home Fixtures Bookcases
ByMary Henn
Updated: Jun. 05, 2024
Can't find Ikea's famed Billy bookcase? Don't fret! There are some quality Billy bookcase alternatives worthy of a spot in your home.
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As a self-described Ikea fanatic, I’ve spent my fair share of afternoons circling the sleek storefront and munching on Swedish meatballs in the cafeteria. The minimalistic Scandinavian-style store is famous for offering DIY storage-friendly furniture that withstands the test of time. Perhaps one of the most notoriously flexible styles is the Billy bookcase, designed by Gillis Lundgren in 1978—and sketched on a napkin, no less.
“The Billy Bookcase has such a classic and versatile design, which is why it has maintained its popularity. Classic, clean lines in multiple sizes, it’s really a great fit for almost any space,” says Melanie Zaelich, owner, home stylist and interior designer at Happy Place Interiors.
Often called the “archetypal Ikea product,” the Billy bookcase features clean lines, a sturdy structure and anywhere between three to 10 or more shelves, depending on preference. Add-ons like a display shelf, doors, inserts and bookends offer further customization options. The best part about the Billy bookcase is that behaves like a chameleon, easily adapting to any space. It’s so popular that oftentimes it’s difficult to find in stock.
Can’t find the famed Ikea Billy bookcase at your local store? Want something different? Either way, there are plenty of Billy bookcase alternatives (or Billy Bookcase dupes, as the kids are saying these days) to keep your house organized and clutter free.
Best Overall Billy Bookcase Alternative
Room Essentials Five-Shelf Bookcase
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Best Budget Billy Bookcase Alternative
Furinno Pasir Bookcase
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Best Narrow Billy Bookcase Alternative
Millwood Pines Gracyn Eight-Tier Bookshelf
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Most Sturdy Billy Bookcase Alternative
Ironck 70-Inch Modular Bookcase
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Best Short Billy Bookcase Alternative
Zipcode Design Idlewild Bookcase
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Best Colorful Billy Bookcase Alternative
Furinno Luder Bookcase
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Best Corner Billy Bookcase Alternative
Loomie Corner Book Shelf
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Best Three-Column Billy Bookcase Alternative
Bowen Triple Tall Bookcase
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Best Billy Bookcase Alternative with Doors
Lark Manor Angellique Dining Cabinet
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Best Open-Back Billy Bookcase Alternative
Joss & Main Elin Etagere Bookcase
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Pros:
- Comparable price to the Billy bookcase
- Five adjustable shelves
- Three finish options
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with a safety anchor
Cons:
- Additional shelves not available for purchase
The Room Essentials bookcaseis among the best Target furniture, and a top best Billy bookcase alternative. With five adjustable shelves, this bookcase feels deeper than the Billy, and there’s a lot of flexibility with display options. The bookcase’s simple, clean design allows your treasured novels and curios to shine. Plus, it comes in three finishes: Billy-like white, espresso and black.
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Pros:
- Affordable price
- Laminated, easy-to-clean finish
- Various shelf and color options
- Holds up to 60 pounds
- Weighs under 20 pounds
Cons:
- Flimsy cardboard backing, but stable against a wall
This simple five-shelf bookcase has more than 25,500 five-star ratings on Amazon alone, so you know it has to be good. It’s 7 inches narrower than the Ikea Billy bookcase and about 10 inches shorter, but we love that it’s super affordable and easy to assemble at home. Plus, it comes in various colors and sizes so that you can mix and match shelving units to your liking.
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Pros:
- Only 11 inches wide
- Eight shelves
- 32-pound weight capacity per shelf
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- Requires furniture anchors for stability
TheGracyn bookcaseis tall and skinny, measuring 10 inches shorter and 4 inches narrower than the Ikea Billy bookcase. However, these dimensions make it an excellent choice fortight spaces. Looks-wise, it’s almost an exact dupe for the Billy, but it does have two extra shelves to hold more books and knick-knacks.
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Pros:
- Strengthen screws and tip-over resistance device included
- Waterproof for easy cleaning
- Fits 18 to 22 books per shelf, depending on size
- 71 inches tall
Cons:
- Each shelf only holds up to 22 pounds
This modular bookcase comes as a single unit or in a two-pack for larger spaces. We love that it offers fiveadjustable shelves, has a classy woodgrain patternand comes in a variety of brown, white and black finishes. Six shelves offer plenty of space to decorate with books, picture frames or something more creative.
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Pros:
- Compact at only 41 inches tall
- Cube design supports storage bins and baskets
- Displays either vertically or horizontally
- Weighs only 20 pounds
Cons:
- Cubes may be too small for very large books
If you’re looking for a shorter option that you can stack vertically in an office space or study, then this narrow, white bookshelf is a bargain! It’s about 3.5 feet tall, so you can use the top of the shelf to display plants or other decor.
This stackable shelf works vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference. When stacked together, these shelves make a cool surface for a coffee bar or TV.
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Pros:
- Has a pop of color in the interior
- Variety of shelf heights for more flexibility
- Very inexpensive
- Under 32 inches tall
Cons:
- Shelves are not adjustable like the Billy
Another Billy bookcase dupe that’s more compact is this five-cube bookcase. It has both longer shelves and smaller storage cubes, so it’s a handy Billy bookshelf alternative for people with small spaces and apartments. While the exterior is white, the interior offers fun pops of color in green, pink and blue options. And the various shelf sizes will display all your favorite items.
This short unit won’t occupy too much floor space, as it’s less than 20 inches wide (basically the width of a small nightstand). Multiple pieces can be placed next to each other for added shelf width or to fill the length of a wall or nook.
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Pros:
- Corner fit ties small rooms together
- Six shelves and three separate columns
- Outer shelf angled out for added interest
- Made from durable commercial-grade laminate
- Each shelf can hold up to 80 pounds
Cons:
- Shelves aren't adjustable
The Loomie corner book shelf rings up around the same price as the corner version of the Billy bookcase. Each fixed shelf of this pretty bookcase houses up to 80 pounds of your must-display books and knick-knacks. We also love that the unique corner design fits various home styles and room layouts. And the outer column angles outward, drawing the eye in for a more cohesive look.
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Pros:
- 18 open shelves
- Cord cutouts in the back
- Adjustable levers for stability
- Crafted from solid poplar
- Greenguard Gold certified
- Option for white-glove delivery
Cons:
- Expensive
While it’s certainly a splurge, this three-column bookcase from Pottery Barn is the way to go if you’re looking for top-notch quality. The Bowen bookcase features a modern, open design and a white or charcoal finish.
Crafted from solid poplar, this sturdy bookcase set works well in an office, bedroom or in the living room. Cord cutouts on the back make it easy to add speakers or use it to flank a media console, so it’s ideal for small spaces. Adjustable levelers on the base help with stability on uneven surfaces.
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Pros:
- Beveled glass doors
- Holds up to 440 pounds
- Comes fully assembled
- Dovetail joints for added stability
- Hardware easy to swap out
Cons:
- Pricey
While not a perfect dupe for the version of the Billy bookcase with doors, the Angellique dining cabinet requires zero assembly—we consider that a good trade-off. The four shelves hold up to 440 pounds of books, China or other decor while also protecting items from dust. Crown molding, shiplap paneling and frame molding on the doors and drawers give it a modern, yet classy, flair. Beveled glass doors let guests peek inside without disturbing the contents. Plus, dovetail joints improve the look and stability of the piece.
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Pros:
- Open-back design offers flexibility
- Pretty gold ring hardware pulls
- Three fixed shelves
- Shelves hold up to 40 pounds each
- Cabinet underneath for additional storage
Cons:
- Pricey
With gold pull-ring accents that add warmth and depth to your space, the Elin bookcase is like a glammed-up Billy. An open-back design adds flexibility to the space, since there’s no need for custom cord cutouts. This opens up the possibly of adding charging stations and other media to the shelves.
What to Look for When Buying a Billy Bookcase Alternative
Zaelich recommends having a solid plan for bookcases before bringing them into a room. “Many people will purchase them for ‘storage’ and they can quickly become cluttered,” she says. She offers a few tips and tricks for styling your bookcase—oftentimes a task more complicated than choosing one.
“If using them for true storage, consider putting your things to be stored in nice linen boxes or wicker baskets,” says Zaelich. “For books, consider color coordinating the books for an organized look. If using them to display personal items, use large items—most people put items that are too small. The ‘tall’ object should be about three-fourths the height of the shelf,” she says.
When it comes to choosing a bookcase, consider the style and function of the room. “An open-back, étagère bookcase can help a space feel lighter, more open, sleek and modern. A solid back bookcase is fabulous for filling full of books and creating a cozy library feel,” says Zaelich.
Style tip: When using bookcases for books, make sure to pull the books out to the edge, like library shelves. This one little tip will make your bookcase look sophisticated and the whole room feel more put together.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’m a shopping editor at Family Handyman and a national award-winning writer and journalist. My expertise lies in interior design, home decor, gardening and outdoor trends. My team consulted Melanie Zaelich, owner, home stylist and interior designer at Happy Place Interiors, for her insight on shopping for the best Billy bookcase alternatives. She’s known for her down-to-earth approach and creativity. As the only interior designer with a consult-based, à la carte business model in the Twin Cities, Zaelich is transforming the way people experience interior design. Her work has garnered regional and national design awards. Zaelich is an associate member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), an active member of Women in Construction and a True Color Expert.
How We Found the Best Billy Bookcase Alternatives
In our search for the best Billy bookcase alternatives, it’s important that we first understand what makes the Billy bookcase so loved. We first asked an expert interior designer for her perspective on this famed bookcase, and why it’s so popular. Then, we found a range of options that fit this criteria, focusing on including a variety of budgets, variants and sizes. The result? We’re confident that our picks above are the best Billy Bookcase alternatives for every space.
FAQ
How do I paint the Billy Bookcase?
We have a whole guide to painting Ikea furniture, and painting the Billy bookcase uses a similar strategy. Here’s what you need:
- Your bookcase
- One quart of BIN primer
- One quart of cabinet/door/trim enamel
- Water-based polyurethane sealant (optional)
When painting the Billy bookcase, the most important step to remember is sanding the laminate for good adhesion and using the right type of paint.
Can you stack the Billy Bookcase?
It’s possible to stack the Billy bookcase onto another one or other pieces of furniture. Just adhere them together using a strong furniture glue and glue clamps. However, like all modular bookcases, you’ll want to ensure you’re anchoring every piece to the wall using furniture anchors. These ensure stability and prevent bad accidents, especially in homes with kids and pets.
How do I make Billy Bookcase look built-in?
There’s an entire guide we put together to make Ikea furniture look built-in. As with most DIY projects, you need to consider both your space and budget before you dive into this Ikea hack. Save a few bucks by swapping out the Billy bookcase for one of our lost-cost dupes above. The result looks similar to the below TikTok from user @rachmartino:
@rachmartino Ikea Hack for built in arched bookshelves! I love that we decided to go with an L shaped design it really makes the room feel so special and cozy. We used 6 Havsta cabinets, 6 billy bookshelves 3 shelf version) and 6 billy extensions. What do you think of the final look?
However, this isn’t the only Billy bookcase hack available. “Hacking a Billy bookcase is nearly endless,” says Zaelich, “Painting the back or using a peel-and-stick wallpaper to put on the back is a quick way to add personality to it. Adding simple crown moulding can make it look built in and custom. Painting the entire bookcase and having them wall to wall could make a dramatic library, office or kids’ reading room.”
Source:
- Melanie Zaelich, owner, home stylist and interior designer at Happy Place Interiors
Originally Published: March 25, 2024
Author
Mary Henn
Mary Henn, MA, MFA is a shopping editor at Family Handyman. She’s also a national award-winning writer and journalist. Her expertise lies in interior design, cleaning, pets, and outdoor trends.
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