12 IKEA BILLY Bookcase Alternatives That Are Just as Good as the Original (Maybe Even Better!)

The IKEA BILLY bookcase is a legend. Perhaps the most recognizable all-caps Swedish furniture name from IKEA, the BILLY remains in the company’s repertoire year after year. These days, it comes in a standard and skinny version, with accessories like doors and extenders, and even touts its own entry on Wikipedia.

The Apartment Therapy editors are big fans of the BILLY (and IKEA) — just check out these 223 IKEA hacks to prove it — and I’ve personally seen and loved dozens of BILLY hacks in my years writing before and afters for the site. Whether it’s trimmed, painted, papered, or hacked in some other way, the BILLY always hits.

But as much as I love the quintessential IKEA bookcase, there are reasons you might want to look beyond the BILLY for your home or for your hacks. Maybe your closest IKEA isn’t actually so close. Maybe you want solid wood instead of MDF, and are looking for something a little more high-end. Or maybe you want something even cheaper than the $79 bookcase. Whatever the case, there’s an option for you.

If you’re looking for BILLY bookcase alternatives, I have 12 great options for you here that are worth a look.

There are plenty of great alternatives to IKEA’s BILLY bookcase. Read more about each below to decide if they’re right for your home or your project.

The HEMNES bookshelf is similar to BILLY in dimensions (both are just shy of three feet wide and about six-and-a-half feet tall), but the extra three inches of depth on the shelves makes a world of difference for storing art and children’s books. But what really sets HEMNES apart is the quality of materials. Where BILLY is particleboard, HEMNES is solid pine, which IKEA says is sustainably sourced.

IKEA has another bookcase option too, and if your priority is keeping costs low, the GERSBY is your friend at just $50. The GERSBY is a little narrower than the traditional BILLY so could be a great fit for small spaces.

Keep in mind: Unlike the slightly higher priced BILLY, the shelves of the GERSBY aren’t adjustable, and it only comes in white. But if you’re planning to hack it anyway, the plain white color works just fine.

BILLY bookcase hacks are common, but you can also use lookalikes for your hacks. For instance, DIYer Megann Thompson (@gresham_houze) hacked these three-shelf bookcases to create a built-in desk and bookshelf setup for her daughter, which you can see here. “The built-ins were pretty budget-friendly,” she says, as the three-tier shelves she used were only $28 each.

Just like the BILLY, Target’s Room Essentials shelf comes in different heights. Here’s the taller version, which has five shelves and still rings up at just $40. It comes in a black, white, and natural wood option.

Many people buy IKEA BILLYs and paint them, but if you’re not inclined to pick up a paintbrush, there are colorful ready-made alternatives out there, too. I love this higher end option from Crate & Barrel, which comes in a gorgeous deep indigo color along with more traditional white, black, and wood finishes.

This six-tier, $75 bookcase from Amazon is another shelf that gives BILLY a run for its money, and it also comes in a double-wide version, much like the BILLY does. And reviews note that it’s easy to assemble and sturdy.

“Usually, cabinets with backs that are basically cardboard are held in with small nails (brads) that easily detach when you push a book or cd in too far. This one does not. While the back is cardboard-y, it slides into a groove, is screwed in and further secured with 36 wedges,” one Amazon reviewer says, adding that the instructions are clear and the packaging makes it easy to carry. (In fact, they say they plan to buy three more of the bookcase!)

This bookcase is Prime-eligible, so it’s a good option if you don’t have an IKEA in your area and are looking for something that can arrive within two days.

Wayfair also offers a double-wide competitor. I love this bookcase because it comes with glass doors, just like you can purchase for a BILLY. The end look is really elevated and stylish.

The splurgiest of the options, this storage shelf also comes with doors for concealing clutter, and it’s modular. You can stack Sunday’s Keep Storage system four high (57 inches tall, a bit shorter than the IKEA BILLY), choose a two-unit tall system, or choose a four-piece or six-piece horizontal configuration.

One reason why a DIYer might want to deviate from the BILLY is to look for something in solid wood (the BILLY is MDF). This shelf from The Home Depot is a great contender for your hacks because it’s real pine, so it’ll be structurally sound and easy to paint. Real wood means you can stain it, too.

TikToker and DIYer Peyton Heath (@peytonmheath) turned to this Walmart Mainstays option when it was time to upgrade her closet, and now she says she has her “dream walk-in closet.” This particleboard shelf is a steal at only $39.97.

Many DIYers add trim or beadboard to a BILLY for a bit of extra texture, and this option from The Home Depot comes with a bit of ornamentation on top and a textured back that makes it a great fit for any cottagecore or cozy farmhouse aficionados. There’s also a shorter, 43-inch version of this bookshelf with three tiers. The shelves are adjustable for both heights.

IKEA BILLY also comes in a new corner-shaped configuration — perfect for a setup that bends around a corner like this — and Walmart offers a similar option for a similar price, if you happen to not have IKEA in your area.