ᐅ Using a Billy bookshelf from IKEA as a bathroom cabinet

Hello,
I want to use my Billy bookshelf as a bathroom cabinet and place a scale underneath it. What do you think, can I simply cut a notch in the front panel at the bottom so that I can slide the scale under it? How about the stability—could it be compromised by this?

Best regards
Michael

Hello!

I would be more concerned about water resistance than stability. Billy is not designed for bathrooms, so moisture (water splashes, small puddles on the floor) could cause the wood to swell. It is just veneer-covered particleboard, and the particleboard is probably not glued with waterproof adhesive...

Best regards

Not only that, but even simple moisture, like the kind generated during showering, can cause the Billy to swell. Probably not immediately, but over the course of several months.

This also depends on factors such as the size of the bathroom, the ventilation, and so on...

okay, thanks for the tips. I need to take a look, we already have a Billy in our bathroom. now we need a bigger one, let’s see if anything has swollen yet. it’s not meant to be the final solution, for now it’s just the cheapest option.

so you think it’s better not to cut anything out?

Best regards
michael

As I said, it depends. If it’s only a temporary solution and the shelf will end up being discarded (because it might no longer be usable), it doesn’t really matter. But if it is intended to be used later in another room, I would think it over.

Yes, for the dark basement, it will definitely still be sufficient as a shelf space.

And the recess should not initially have any negative impact on the stability, as far as I understand.