Billy Bookcase Styling: How Many Books It Holds

Billy bookcase styling comes down to two numbers and one rule. The standard IKEA Billy is 31 1/2 inches wide, which leaves about 30 inches (2 1/2 feet) of usable shelf on each level. A tall Billy has six shelf levels, so a fully packed bookcase holds about 15 feet of books. A styled Billy, with objects and empty space, usually takes about 5-6 feet. The rule: pick one color palette for the whole bookcase so it reads as one piece of furniture rather than six separate shelves.

Below: Billy sizes and shelf math, how many books to buy for each look, six color formulas, a shelf-by-shelf plan, styling a row of Billys, and safety.

Billy sizes at a glance

IKEA lists these sizes for the Billy bookcase:

The tall 31 1/2-inch Billy comes with one fixed shelf and four adjustable shelves. Counting the bottom, that gives six levels to style. The shelves are about 10 inches deep, which is deep enough for most hardcovers to stand with a little room in front. IKEA recommends the narrow 15 3/4-inch Billy for very heavy books.

Sizes above are from IKEA's product page and Billy brochure. If you have an older Billy, measure the inside width yourself; our guide to measuring shelves for books by the foot shows how.

How many books fit on a Billy

Our lots run about 10-12 hardcovers per foot, depending on thickness. Using that:

For the reasoning behind books-per-foot numbers, see how many books per foot of shelf, or let the bookshelf calculator do the math for your exact shelves.

Which look suits your room?

• Packed library look: best in a home office, reading nook or a wall of several Billys. It feels serious and cozy.
• Styled look: best in living rooms and bedrooms, where the bookcase is part of the decor. Books share the shelf with vases, frames and baskets.
• Airy look: best in small rooms or when the Billy sits beside a TV or desk and shouldn't dominate.

Most people land on the styled look: about 1 foot of books per shelf, with a stack or object on the rest.

Six color formulas for a Billy

Pick one, then repeat its colors on every shelf.

1. Cream on white: all cream and ivory spines on a white Billy. Soft and bright; the books almost disappear into the case. Use Dunes.
2. Warm neutral: tan and soft brown books with wood objects. Good on the birch veneer or white Billy. Use Driftwood.
3. Navy contrast: navy and blue books on a white Billy for a crisp, classic look. Use Tidewater.
4. Graphic black and white: charcoal and black books with white objects. Strong in modern rooms. Use Storm.
5. Fresh green: green spines with plants and natural baskets. Use First Day of Spring.
6. Tonal on black-brown: on the dark Billy finish, lighter books stand out best. Cream or tan reads well; black books would blend in.

For room-by-room color ideas, see bookshelf color palettes by room.

A shelf-by-shelf plan for a styled Billy

This plan uses about 6 feet of books on a tall Billy.

1. Top level: a short stack of three books laid flat with a small vase on top, plus a framed print leaning at the back. (about half a foot)
2. Second level: an upright run of books held by a bookend on the left, a plant on the right. (about 1 ft)
3. Third level, eye height: your best-looking run of books across most of the shelf, with one small object. This is the shelf people notice first. (about 1 1/2 ft)
4. Fourth level: a horizontal stack on one side, an upright run on the other, with a gap between. (about 1 ft)
5. Fifth level: a long run of books with a single object at the end. (about 1 1/2 ft)
6. Bottom level: two baskets or boxes for everyday things, with a small stack between them. (about half a foot)

Alternate which side the books sit on from shelf to shelf. That zigzag keeps the eye moving down the bookcase. Our shelf styling cheat sheet has more shelf formulas.

Styling a row of Billys

A row of two or three Billys is a popular way to build a library wall on a budget.

• Treat the row as one piece. Use one palette across all of them.
• Mirror the outer cases. Style the left and right Billy as near mirror images, and let the middle one be the most full.
• Line up the shelves. Set the adjustable shelves at the same heights across the row so the lines run straight.
• Plan the feet. Three styled Billys need about 15-18 feet of books; three packed ones about 45 feet.

For more on walls of shelving, see home library wall ideas.

Upright, stacked or both

Billy shelves suit both. Upright runs show spines and fill width quickly. Horizontal stacks of three to five books add height variety and work as risers for small objects. A mix of both on most shelves looks the most natural. Our guide to styling books horizontally vs. vertically covers the trade-offs.

The Library of Congress advises keeping books upright and supported rather than leaning, so use bookends at the end of short upright runs.

Safety and care

• Anchor it. IKEA says the Billy must be securely anchored to the wall because of the tipping hazard. The brackets come with it; buy screws or anchors that suit your wall. The CPSC's Anchor It campaign explains why.
• Respect the shelf load. The standard Billy shelf is rated for 66 lb; the narrow one for 31 lb. Put the heaviest books on the lowest shelves.
• Watch the sun. Direct sun fades spines over time. The Library of Congress notes light damage is cumulative.

Common Billy styling mistakes

• Every shelf at the default height. Move a few adjustable shelves so tall and short items both fit.
• Six different color stories. One palette per bookcase.
• Books pushed to the back. Pull books forward to about an inch from the shelf edge so the spines line up.
• No empty space. On a styled Billy, every shelf should have a gap somewhere.
• Too many small objects. One or two per shelf is plenty.

Upgrades that make a Billy look built-in

• Add the height extension unit where your ceiling allows, so the case runs closer to the ceiling.
• Add a crown or trim if you're comfortable with a simple carpentry project.
• Light it. A picture light or small puck lights make the books glow in the evening.
• Paint the wall behind it a deeper color so the shelves stand out.

Our built-ins and floating shelves guide has more on making shelving look custom.

Books for your Billy

Our lots are real hardcover books sorted by spine color, about 10-12 books per foot: $39.99 for a five-book stack, $69.99 for 1 foot or $129.99 for 2 feet, with free shipping to the continental U.S. and D.C. A styled tall Billy usually takes three 2-foot lots, or two 2-foot lots plus a few stacks. Compare palettes in our decorative books shop, or plan a whole row on the books by the foot page. Not sure which color? Try the palette quiz.

Frequently asked questions