ᐅ Is there a way to make BILLY shelves quieter?

Hello everyone, some time ago I bought a Billy bookcase from IKEA, the standard model made of particleboard with white lacquer. The shelf itself is great, but I noticed that when using it, especially when pulling out or putting in books and items, it creaks and squeaks quite loudly. This noise is particularly bothersome when using the shelf at night or in a quiet home office.

Is there a practical way to make the Billy bookcases quieter without major modifications? I’m thinking of something like special sliding strips, dampers, or lubricants that can be applied easily without damaging the shelf or affecting its appearance. Thanks in advance for your tips!

pirime schrieb:
Is there a practical way to make BILLY shelves quieter without major modifications?

Hey pirime! Oh yes, I know this issue all too well – BILLY shelves can sometimes sound like a full concert of creaking and squeaking, especially after a few years 😄.

My recommendation: Use a dry lubricant like Teflon spray or silicone spray on the points where the boards meet. Don’t worry, these won’t soak in or leave permanent stains. Alternatively, felt pads at the contact points work well to significantly reduce noise.

I’ve done this myself and managed to cut the noise level in half. Just make sure to clean and dry everything before applying. Good luck!

pirime schrieb:
Is there a practical way to make BILLY shelves quieter without major modifications?

Noise in BILLY shelves typically results from friction between the thin particleboard and the shelf supports. A common and effective solution is to insert small felt or rubber pads at these contact points, as they reduce friction and dampen vibrations.

Another option is to use PTFE-based lubricants, which provide glide rather than lubrication. These should be applied precisely at the shelf bearing points. It is important to avoid oil- or grease-based products, as they can damage the wood.

These methods are reversible and do not affect the stability or appearance of the shelves.

Short and sweet: I had the same problem some time ago. Just attach thin felt pads to the edges of the shelves and lightly spray the supporting surfaces underneath with silicone spray – this greatly reduces the noise! 🙂

A quick tip: Don’t use too much spray, or it will become slippery and the shelves might slide. 🙂 I also got a few spare pads in case any fall off.

Glue felt pads onto the supports.
Apply a thin layer of silicone spray.
Clean and dry surfaces are essential.
This will reduce noise.

The most important thing: Do not use anything oil-based, as it attracts dust. Felt is the best compromise between sound dampening and stability.

You can also try furniture sliders from the hardware store.