My Mate Billy (Ikea Billy Bookcases)

Member Name: cmh4135

Product:	Ikea Billy Bookcases
Date:	16/01/08 (1639 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Versatile, cheap, strong

Disadvantages: Slight differences in the styles over the years

If there's one item of furniture in our house that's just never large enough it's the bookcase(s). No matter how many are added to our collection the books seem to overflow, filling every available space and crying out for another case to be added. Couple this with the fact that we've been saying for at least the last 6 years that this house, although "life-proof" is not where we want to spend the rest of our lives so we didn't want to get expensive furniture that may or may not fit in any future house and you can see we have an issue. Step in IKEA.

IKEA, despite my deep hatred of how the stores work, does have its uses and one is that it is particularly good at providing cheap storage solutions. One of their best-known storage ranges is the BILLY bookcase range.

The bookcases are available in a number of natural (and now lacquered) wood finishes and come in a variety of sizes. This makes them ideal for "building". We originally started with a BILLY standard sized bookcase in beech finish. To this we have since added a second standard case and a half-height case. In each case we have added doors as I hate dusting and the doors do keep out the dust quite effectively. For the large cases we chose glass doors and for the low case we chose solid doors (as we keep files in this one).

Construction of the bookcases is IKEA-style simple. Although flat-packed they are easy to construct with the use of the standard IKEA allen keys. You'll also need a Phillips screwdriver if you're adding doors (for the hinges) and a drill and any necessary rawl plugs to attach the bookcase to the wall for security.

The instructions are easy to follow and you should have a constructed bookcase in no time. I like the fact that I can adjust the majority of shelves to the height that I desire. The bottom and middle shelves are fixed but apart from that I've complete freedom. I also like the fact that the bases of the cupboards are shaped to fin around standard skirting boards so there's no cutting required.

Having noted what I said previously about this collection being ideal to build on over time there are some things to note. IKEA have, in their wisdom changed the handles and door styles over the years, helpfully (not) between our first and subsequent acquisitions. This means that our cases don't quite match. The colour of the beech finish has also changed slightly over that period (I can't speak for the other finishes, although, clearly, if you opt for one of the newer fashionable lacquer finishes then don't expect it to be around in a few years time). IKEA have also changed the tops of the units.

IKEA now sell BILLY toppers, smaller cases that go on top of the standard cases to increase the height. Be aware that if, like us, you have an older case, the holes to fix the tops on will not be present so it won't work. Also, remember that you'll need a bit more height in your room than the finished height of the cases or you won't be able to fix them on! This means that they're too tall for standard height ceilings in 70s-90s houses.

The bookcases have proven to be hard-wearing and the doors, hinges, backs and shelves have all remained in good condition despite constant use and over-loading. This compares favourably with alternative cheap solutions such as those from Argos which we have found to be poor quality and unable to cope with heavy loads.

You can get all sorts of additional inserts for the bookcases, such as CD racks, baskets and so on but to my mind these just take up valuable space that could be used for storage. As the shelves are so versatile you should be able to get the set up just right for your needs, even if it means adding an additional shelf.

For the price paid (and it's best to look at the website for the current prices) I feel these to be excellent value for money and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Summary: A great, cheap storage system that's very adaptable.