IKEA’s BILLY Bookcase Might Be a Living Room Hero – But I Tried It in My Tiny Kitchen and Doubled My Storage
This bookcase is better than a custom-built pantry. It's spacious, sleek, and so affordable – I only wish I had it in my kitchen sooner
When you're working with a small kitchen, you're forced to get creative with storage. The kitchen in my New York City apartment is so small that my tiny dining table has been forced to become an overflow zone for pans, cutting boards, and even extra food that can't fit within the confines of the cabinets above my countertop. What I was really missing was a pantry.
I began searching for a clever kitchen storage idea that could give all of my miscellaneous necessities a home. And as it turns out, the perfect solution wasn't something egregiously expensive, custom-built, or even new – in fact, it was none other than IKEA's long-loved BILLY Bookcase.
Measuring 79" tall, 31" wide, and 10" deep, this bookcase is a perfectly sized piece for a small kitchen. It's made with one stationary shelf and four adjustable shelves that can be reordered to suit your needs.
IKEA's BILLY bookcase has been an iconic piece for decades – an IKEA cult favorite because of its high functionality, sleek design, and usefulness.
But most people use this bookcase for living room storage, not, I as planned to do, as kitchen storage. In fact, my old roommate even had one in the living room of our college apartment – we used it to store everything from old textbooks and notebooks to random trinkets. It never occurred to me that this bookcase could benefit a kitchen until I moved into my current apartment – a place in desperate need of clever storage ideas.
With its doors closed, IKEA's BILLY/OXBERG Bookcase is sleek and elegant – hiding any clutter that you don't want on display in your kitchen.
This top-rated bookcase is designed with adjustable shelves that you can position to accommodate the needs of your kitchen. For instance, I'd keep the top shelves evenly spaced for food, but towards the middle and bottom, I'd adjust the shelf spacing to allow room for stacked glassware, cooking utensils, or even wine bottles. Plus, the shelf depth is greater than the width of standard dinner plates, which means you can easily store dinnerware inside.
Unlike the standard BILLY Bookcase, this version comes with doors – a detail that reviewers love. With the doors, you can keep clutter (or, if you're like me, mismatched dishware) out of sight. This BILLY/OXBERG Bookcase is like a freestanding pantry, fit to organize a kitchen and provide extra storage all while keeping things hidden.
Though the bookcase already resembles a custom product, I plan on making it even more distinct by painting it (I'm thinking a rich maroon shade to tap into the year's top color trends) and embellishing it with stylish door hardware (like these rose-shaped knobs from Anthropologie).
How I'd Style IKEA's BILLY/OXBERG Bookcase In A Kitchen
You can store anything you need on the shelves of IKEA's BILLY/OXBERG Bookcase. But if you need some inspiration, here's how I'd make use of its shelves.
If your kitchen is like mine and has minimal drawers for utensils, you'll want to get a caddy like this. With two compartments and a top handle, this caddy can conveniently hold knives, spoons, or forks, and it can be carried from your pantry cabinet to the table when it's time for a meal.
For coffee beans, tea bags, or any dry ingredients, this canister can come in handy in your kitchen. I'd get a few of them in various sizes and style them on the shelves within your BILLY/OXBERG Bookcase. This way, you can keep your countertops clear but your necessary ingredients in close reach.
Rather than stacking plates on top of each other, get a few of these plate holders for your BILLY/OXBERG Bookcase. This way, your salad, dinner, and dessert plates will be easily accessible.
More Kitchen Storage Ideas From IKEA
Looking for alternative storage solutions for your kitchen? IKEA has tons to choose from. Find three of my favorites below.
If you don't mind open storage, then this unit is perfect for your kitchen. You can mount it to the wall either vertically or horizontally, and on its shelves, you can store plates, bowls, fruit baskets, or other kitchen necessities.
I just love the vintage-inspired look of this cabinet – you'd never guess it's from IKEA. From its teal color to its light wood shelves, it resembles something you'd find at a flea market. And with its practical design, it can help you find a home for all sorts of kitchen must-haves, from antique China to spare cutlery.
This cabinet gives you the best of both worlds – open shelving up top and closed shelving below. Though it would work wonders in a kitchen, I think it would be perfect for a dining room. I'd style the top with small trinkets and decorative plates, and I'd use the bottom to store any unsightly necessities.
Love beautiful design ideas, expert advice, and inspiring decor trends? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.
