IKEA’s Magical New BILLY Folding Table Is a Total Small-Space Game Changer

Recently, I made the controversial choice to swap out my dresser for two IKEA BILLY Bookcases. The result totally transformed my bedroom; I was (and still am) so happy I took the plunge and ditched the drawers. I love the slim profile and sleek look of these beloved bookcases, and the versatility they provide in terms of storage. 

In my review, I also noted that I planned to eventually add a third BILLY unit in between my new bookcases — and luckily for me, that day came sooner than I could have hoped for. IKEA was kind enough to send me the piece I had my eye on, the BILLY Bookcase with Foldable Table. Now, I can’t even seem to remember life before this small space superhero. Seriously, this might just be my new favorite piece in the entire apartment. 

A relatively new addition to the iconic and beloved BILLY lineup, this small-space superhero made waves with IKEA shoppers when it first hit the shelves. I had to know if the hype was real, so I went to check it out in the store — and I instantly fell head over heels for this icon on wheels. It looks like your average BILLY bookshelf when not in use, but the bottom two “shelves” of the piece actually pull out to reveal a hidden folding tabletop. 

It’s hard to tell online exactly how (and how well) the folding mechanism works, but when I tested it in store, I was very impressed. The hinged tabletop is on wheels (like a drawer), and it works by rolling along grooves made in the sides of the bookcase, folding down and sliding back to become essentially the backboard of the bookcase. You can still decorate the shelves as you normally would, helping the piece totally blend in and look just like your average bookcase when not in use.

This piece is a total game changer for small spaces; you could use it for just about anything. I’ve been on the hunt for a crafting space, and I knew this piece would be perfect for the job. I recently got a sewing machine, and I was growing tired of the loose threads and fabric fuzz cluttering up my work desk every morning. My workspace was definitely feeling crowded and looking messy, making it harder to focus. Now, the foldable table provides me with an easily accessible place to work on my sewing whenever I want, while the standard BILLY bookcases beside it stow my machine and other crafting supplies out of sight to keep things looking neat when not in use. 

While predictably a bit more difficult to assemble than the standard BILLY, it didn’t take too long for me to have my new foldable table up and running. The new BILLY unit fits perfectly between the others, and all together the three bookcases span the length of my wall exactly. When extended, the table is the perfect size for my cutting mat and sewing machine, and the open sides make it easy to set up the power cords and the pedal. My sewing machine is pretty heavy duty, and the table handles it just fine; it’s really sturdy once locked into place. I highly recommend you secure it to the wall as instructed, however. I didn’t at first, and it definitely was prone to wobbling when the table mechanism was in motion.

If you ask me, for small spaces, this piece is a total life saver. In my old apartment, I had zero kitchen seating space; this would have been the perfect solution for my occasional dinner guests and for storing and displaying my glassware. Especially if you have other BILLY pieces already to pair it with, this piece is a great value. It honestly looks like a built-in feature in my bedroom, and it allows me to look forward to sewing now instead of dreading the process of setting up and putting away the machine every time. 

Knowing how beloved the BILLY line is, by IKEA customers and interior designers alike, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this piece achieve IKEA icon status one day. Whether you craft, cook, or just struggle with storage and/or workspace availability in your home, this latest addition is a definite win in my book. I’d recommend it to anyone working with a smaller space — you never know when you might need the surface space!

Buy: BILLY Bookcase with Foldable Table, $180