ᐅ Are there any ways to make Billy shelves silent?

Hello everyone,

I have been using several Billy bookcases from IKEA for some time now, which I really appreciate for their design and versatility. However, I am bothered by a problem that many probably know: the shelves creak and squeak under load or even with a light touch, which can be especially annoying at night.

My question is quite specific: Are there practical ways to make Billy bookcases so quiet that the typical creaking and squeaking is significantly reduced or completely eliminated? I am particularly interested in solutions that do not require major modifications or cause lasting damage to the furniture.

Does anyone have experience with special lubricants, damping materials, or modifications that actually reduce the noise? Or is the creaking simply an unavoidable part of this type of construction? I look forward to your tips and opinions!

dirkmar schrieb:
Are there practical ways to make Billy shelves so quiet that the typical creaking and squeaking are significantly reduced or completely eliminated?

I think the question is well posed, as this problem is often underestimated. However, I would like to know if you perceive the creaking more from the individual joints of the shelf or from the doors themselves?

Because that can greatly influence the possible solutions. Some argue that a bit of slight movement between the parts is normal and that this is where the noises come from. If that’s true, the movement would somehow need to be eliminated or sealed. Have you checked whether screws are tightened or if the dowels might be loose?

Just wiping the surface and applying lubricant seems to me not very effective if the cause is mechanical.

I would recommend using silicone spray on all contact points. It penetrates well and provides long-lasting lubrication. Felt pads on the shelves can also be helpful.

To prevent creaking in Billy shelves, the first step should be to check the tightness of all screws and dowels. Looseness often causes mechanical play, which leads to creaking noises.

Next, treating friction surfaces with silicone-based lubricants is recommended, as they are non-sticky and minimize dirt buildup.

Additionally, thin felt strips or self-adhesive foam rubber pads applied at contact points between wooden parts can significantly reduce noise.

These measures do not require complex modifications and are reversible.

farli schrieb:
I think the question is well posed, as the problem is often underestimated. However, I would like to know if you notice the creaking more from the individual joints of the shelf or from the doors themselves?

Thanks for the suggestion! It’s mainly the connections between the shelves and side panels that creak. I don’t have any doors; I use the shelf open. All screws are tight so far, and I have carefully retightened them, but that didn’t make any difference in the noise.

kogoga schrieb:
I would recommend using silicone spray on all contact points.

That sounds sensible, but is it possible to spray on visible surfaces without leaving stains? I don’t want to affect the appearance of the shelf.

SUBEN60 schrieb:
In addition, thin felt strips or self-adhesive foam rubber at contact points between wooden parts can greatly reduce the noise.

That also sounds good. Does anyone have experience with the ideal thickness for this? And what’s the best way to attach it without leaving marks?

As a supplement to the previous discussion: Billy bookcases are made from relatively thin engineered wood, which can flex slightly under load. The creaking usually comes from tiny movements at the dowel joints or stresses within the material.

A common effective method is to lightly treat the dowels and connection points with wax (e.g., beeswax or furniture wax). This material lubricates well but is not as liquid as silicone spray, which might spread onto other surfaces.

For felt pads, strips about 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 inches) thick are recommended. The adhesive side should be strongly sticky but removable without leaving residue. Special furniture felt pads that can be easily cut to size are advisable.

Before applying the padding, surfaces should be clean and dry.