ᐅ How can I prevent the shelves of a BILLY bookcase from sagging?

Hello everyone, I have a BILLY bookshelf from IKEA at home, and unfortunately, I’ve noticed that the shelves start to sag under heavier loads. The shelves are made of particleboard with a foil covering, which tends to bend more when subjected to high weight. My question is: What options are available to prevent the shelves in BILLY bookshelves from sagging?

I’m not only looking for short-term solutions like reducing the load or redistributing heavy items, but also practical, longer-term measures that can be implemented with reasonable effort, such as reinforcements, material upgrades, or alternative compatible components. Are there any special tips or proven methods that have worked well in practice? Thanks in advance for your experiences and advice!

Hello Dominikla, your question is very relevant because BILLY shelves are indeed prone to sagging under heavy load. A proven tip is to use the original back panel not only to stand the shelf upright but to secure it to the shelf so it acts as reinforcement. You can also fasten it with screws or small brackets.

Another option is to add additional center supports under the shelf boards, which can be mounted directly beneath the shelves using hardwood strips or aluminum profiles. This helps distribute the load better and prevents prolonged sagging.

It is also important to distribute the load on the shelves as evenly as possible and to place large heavy items on the lower shelves or, better yet, on the floor. This will protect the boards from damage.

I admit these measures may require some DIY skills, but they will save you trouble in the long run.

flo-Theres schrieb:
additional cross braces under the shelf board

Exactly, attach battens or metal brackets directly under the board. Alternatively, use solid wood shelves, which are more stable.

Hello Dominikla, I want to add a few details because the issue of sagging with BILLY shelves is often underestimated. Basically, the BILLY shelf boards are made of engineered wood, which allows for some deflection under load, especially for spans over 80 cm (31.5 inches).

First, it helps to know the maximum load per shelf; IKEA usually specifies about 15 kg (33 lbs), which is sufficient for normal books but can be quickly exceeded with heavier materials.

For reinforcement:

1. Horizontal supports: A wooden beam or metal rod can be glued or nailed to the underside of the shelf board. This significantly increases the load capacity.

2. Center braces, as mentioned, are effective. I would recommend using 18-22 mm (0.7-0.9 inch) thick glued laminated timber, which you can cut exactly to the shelf length. This also prevents tilting.

3. Optimize the back panel: Often the standard back panel is thin and just pushed in – securing it firmly with screws can help it act as a cross brace.

Finally, if you store many heavy items, it might even be worth ordering replacement shelves made of solid wood from IKEA, which are much more load-bearing. Whether this is practical, of course, depends on your budget.

One last question from me: How wide is your BILLY and approximately how much weight do you expect per shelf? That could help to give even more customized recommendations 🙂