Style

IKEA’s Iconic BILLY Bookcase Just Turned 40 and Got a Fresh Birthday Makeover

published Mar 6, 2019
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(Image credit: Alex Millauer)

Am I the only one who wants a complete makeover every time another birthday rolls around? There’s just something about starting a new year that feels like the perfect time to try out a fresh look. My own is coming up next week and I’m already planning to dye my hair a new color and maybe get another ear piercing. And it turns out, IKEA furniture is a fan of the new year, new me mantra too.

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One of the store’s most beloved pieces—the BILLY Bookcase—is turning 40 this year, and celebrating with a bold new look.

Instead of the usual neutral colors, think: white, black, birch veneer, now the BILLY comes in a sunshiny yellow that looks quite a bit like IKEA’s yellow logo.

These bookcases are a mainstay in our house tours, and we’ve seen people use them in closets, offices, and of course, as book storage. The BILLY pops up regularly in our before & after hacks too, so you know it’s a fan-favorite. IKEA itself even estimates that a BILLY bookcase is sold every five seconds. But this is the first time it’s really gotten an IKEA-approved makeover.

The yellow hue is certainly a risk, and something you don’t see often when it comes to storage furniture, but it could be a nice way to add a little brightness to your space. Plus, yellow’s been trending for the past year, so it would be a timely addition too.

You don’t have much time if you want to make this new take on an IKEA classic yours though, the yellow is just a temporary addition to the BILLY series.

What do you think of BILLY’s bold birthday makeover? Should I dye my hair a similar color for my birthday? (Just kidding, don’t worry mom!)