At first glance, it looks like just another BILLY, the iconic bookcase that many have assembled over a weekend. Yet here, behind the white shelves, IKEA has slipped in an unexpected mechanism designed for those who don’t have room to add a real desk in their living room or studio.
This novelty is already making waves on TikTok. Creator Ryan Liu is enthusiastic: “I’m telling you, this is one of the craziest discoveries I’ve found at IKEA,” he says, showing the furniture’s transformation. Its appeal rests on a clear promise: to provide a full workspace without cluttering the living room. The question remains how this table manages to stay inconspicuous.
BILLY bookcase + folding table IKEA: the 2-in-1 designed for small spaces
The product is officially called BILLY bookcase + folding table IKEA, reference 005.797.55. Priced at 150 euros, this version measures 80 cm wide by 106 cm tall. When folded, it has a depth of 32.5 cm; when deployed, the depth is 112.4 cm. The tabletop reaches a height of 74.3 cm, a height close to a traditional dining table, which allows for the use of a standard chair.
Visually, you still recognize the familiar silhouette of BILLY: slim uprights, adjustable shelves, a neutral white appearance. The lower section hides the fold-down tabletop, while the upper shelves accommodate books, boxes, or dishes. A first buyer, quoted by Apartment Therapy, summarizes the feeling: “This combination bookcase/desk is perfect,” praising a more generous work surface and easier access to storage.
How the table unfolds inside the BILLY and changes living room use
IKEA installed the table portion on a rolling module that slides forward. Ryan Liu emphasizes this point by comparing it to the previous model: the wheels let you pull the desk out with one hand. Once extended, the tabletop unfolds and a locking system keeps it in the open position to prevent any accidental retraction.
Another clever detail, noted by The House Journal: the two lower shelves remain accessible even when the table is deployed. In the first generation, a fixed panel required bending over or emptying items to reach things stored behind. Here, the rolling block leaves a clearance, simplifying daily use, whether you set up a home office corner, a dining space, or a small area for creative projects.
Before adopting the BILLY with a folding table: measurements, safety, and user feedback
For a studio or a compact living room, the depth of 112.4 cm when the table is open really matters: you’ll need to ensure that movement around the space is still possible once a chair is added. IKEA specifies that the unit should be fixed to the wall to limit tipping risk and recommends avoiding thick carpets, which are less suitable for moving the wheels. The maximum load for the shelves is 18 kg, and the tabletop load, cited by IKEA US, is 55 pounds, or a little over 24 kg.
User feedback also highlights some practical points. One customer says: “I bought it to use as a desk, and I appreciate the option to fold it away because I’m really short on space… Easy to assemble, all parts included, no problems encountered. The tabletop is solid and flat.” Others note that wide chairs can interfere with the edge of the bookcase during long work sessions. Here are a few reminders:
- Measure the space available in front of the wall, taking the chair into account.
- Check the floor type, especially if the room is entirely carpeted.
- Adapt usage (occasional telework, kids’ homework, a sewing nook) to the stated maximum load.
Sources
- JLM
“IKEA reinvents the BILLY bookcase: a discreet (and ultra-practical) table hides inside.”
