The iconic BILLY bookcase is one of the biggest successes ever made by IKEA. With its many colours and combinations, it has a natural place in homes all over the world.
In the early years bookcases by IKEA largely comprised glass doors, drinks cabinets and base cabinets. But as time went on, more and more customers were looking for a ‘real bookcase’, and they got one in the 1967. There was created the predecessor of BILLY with the different name. It was a success but the demand was still strong. After several years of search for solutions that would be both good for business and the customers, in 1977 the bookcase BILLY was born. It was named after Bill Liljedahl, IKEA head of advertising at that time who expressed a desire to have a proper bookcase just for books.
Over the years, many new colours and designs of BILLY came along. Today BILLY remains a best seller at IKEA. For many years this bookcase serves not only for storing books but also helps our homes to reflect who we really are by allowing to display the things we love the most. In Latvia‘s residents‘ home thousands of books may be put into BILLY shelves out of which most popular is white.
Every IKEA product is developed following the Democratic Design principles. It is how IKEA designers create every home furnishing item ensuring it meets the good function, beautiful form and long-lasting quality, while also securing sustainability and low prices.
To make IKEA products truly affordable for the many, we start by understanding customer needs and how much they can spend on solving a need. We ensure the prices of our products are always perceived to be low, in all price levels, already when we start designing. Creating low prices relies on cleverly using materials and resources, rationalising production methods and using cost consciousness to reduce costs throughout the entire IKEA value chain.
Challenge is to develop IKEA products that are great examples of all 5 dimensions. Each dimension interacts with and influences all the other dimensions. And, each dimension adds meaning and value to the low price.
80 years of IKEA
IKEA, Swedish furniture company is well known around the world for its Scandinavian design and quality furniture. Company works following the vision “To create a better everyday life for the many people” which goes beyond home furnishing. IKEA is proud of our 80 years of innovations, solutions, iconic products, and actions as a company, that each decade shaped the future of living and our commitment to people, responding to the nuanced reality of their needs, habits, and desires.This August IKEA in Latvia celebrates 5th anniversary.