Hello everyone,
I would like to start a discussion here in the forum about which BILLY shelves are best suited for storing books. I am mainly interested in practical aspects such as stability, the maximum load capacity per shelf, options for adjusting shelf depth and height, as well as the available width variations. It would also be helpful to know how the shelves perform with books of various sizes and weights, and if certain models are particularly durable or sturdy. Of course, appearance is also a factor, but primarily I’m looking for a shelving unit that can safely and neatly store books and can be used as flexibly as possible. Does anyone have practical experience or recommendations? Thank you in advance!
I would like to start a discussion here in the forum about which BILLY shelves are best suited for storing books. I am mainly interested in practical aspects such as stability, the maximum load capacity per shelf, options for adjusting shelf depth and height, as well as the available width variations. It would also be helpful to know how the shelves perform with books of various sizes and weights, and if certain models are particularly durable or sturdy. Of course, appearance is also a factor, but primarily I’m looking for a shelving unit that can safely and neatly store books and can be used as flexibly as possible. Does anyone have practical experience or recommendations? Thank you in advance!
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flo-Theres5 Apr 2024 17:04Hello SARARDIT,
your question about the best BILLY shelf for books is very well asked and covers important aspects.
I mainly recommend the standard BILLY models with a depth of 28 cm (11 inches). These are the most commonly used and offer a good balance between storage space and stability. The shelves usually support about 13 kg (29 lbs), which is sufficient for normal amounts of books. For heavy, large books (e.g., thick coffee table books or encyclopedias), I would suggest the reinforced versions, some of which come with additional supports – IKEA also offers extra shelf reinforcements as accessories.
Regarding height, BILLY comes in different sizes (e.g., 106 cm (42 inches), 202 cm (79 inches), or 237 cm (93 inches)). For frequent access, the lower models are better; for large collections, taller shelves are used, but good wall anchoring is essential to ensure stability.
Finally, if flexibility is desired, choose shelves with adjustable shelves. This allows you to adapt the height individually to your books and avoid unnecessary empty space.
I hope this helps you further.
your question about the best BILLY shelf for books is very well asked and covers important aspects.
I mainly recommend the standard BILLY models with a depth of 28 cm (11 inches). These are the most commonly used and offer a good balance between storage space and stability. The shelves usually support about 13 kg (29 lbs), which is sufficient for normal amounts of books. For heavy, large books (e.g., thick coffee table books or encyclopedias), I would suggest the reinforced versions, some of which come with additional supports – IKEA also offers extra shelf reinforcements as accessories.
Regarding height, BILLY comes in different sizes (e.g., 106 cm (42 inches), 202 cm (79 inches), or 237 cm (93 inches)). For frequent access, the lower models are better; for large collections, taller shelves are used, but good wall anchoring is essential to ensure stability.
Finally, if flexibility is desired, choose shelves with adjustable shelves. This allows you to adapt the height individually to your books and avoid unnecessary empty space.
I hope this helps you further.
I would like to add a point that often receives too little attention: the depth of the shelves.
This is true for most books, but for particularly thick volumes or art books, it is sometimes not enough, as these shelves can bend slightly over time when the weight is unevenly distributed across the shelves.
I have noticed that many users do not consider the BILLY version with a depth of 40 cm (16 inches), which was available earlier or can still be found through certain channels. These deeper shelves are more stable and provide more space for wide books, but usually at the expense of flexibility in placement—they simply take up more room.
Therefore, it is always important to check which books you want to store and choose the shelf size accordingly. Another important aspect is the material and thickness of the shelves: some users reinforce their shelves by adding wooden battens underneath to prevent sagging.
If stability and durability are the main concerns, I strongly recommend planning for these additional measures and not relying solely on the standard load capacities specified.
flo-Theres schrieb:
I especially recommend the standard BILLY models with a depth of 28 cm (11 inches).
This is true for most books, but for particularly thick volumes or art books, it is sometimes not enough, as these shelves can bend slightly over time when the weight is unevenly distributed across the shelves.
I have noticed that many users do not consider the BILLY version with a depth of 40 cm (16 inches), which was available earlier or can still be found through certain channels. These deeper shelves are more stable and provide more space for wide books, but usually at the expense of flexibility in placement—they simply take up more room.
Therefore, it is always important to check which books you want to store and choose the shelf size accordingly. Another important aspect is the material and thickness of the shelves: some users reinforce their shelves by adding wooden battens underneath to prevent sagging.
If stability and durability are the main concerns, I strongly recommend planning for these additional measures and not relying solely on the standard load capacities specified.
Hello everyone,
I would like to explore this topic further, both theoretically and practically – especially for those interested in load capacity and materials.
1. Standard BILLY (28 cm depth): These shelves are designed for regular hardcover and paperback books. IKEA states that each shelf can hold up to 13 kg (29 lbs). It is important to distribute the load evenly. For very heavy books, it is better to place fewer books per shelf and, if possible, only load the shelves up to around two-thirds of their capacity.
2. Larger BILLY variants (e.g., 40 cm depth): As kasan mentioned, there are also less common wider models. These are especially suitable for art books or coffee-table books. The shelves are generally more stable due to their larger dimensions but are heavier and less space-efficient.
3. Adjustable shelves: A major advantage of all BILLY shelves is that the shelves are height-adjustable. This allows you to optimize the height of each compartment to fit the books perfectly – it is essential for a neat appearance and prevents unnecessary tipping forces.
4. Additional reinforcements: For those who store an extremely large number of books or very heavy ones, I recommend installing wooden strips under the shelves or even metal brackets for support. This noticeably reduces sagging.
5. Wall mounting: Especially for tall shelves (over 2 m (6 ft 7 in)), wall mounting is mandatory to prevent accidents. This increases stability and safety.
Conclusion: For most users, a BILLY shelf with 28 cm (11 inches) depth is completely sufficient as long as the load is moderate and the shelves are adjustable. Those with many large, heavy books should consider deeper variants and possibly use additional reinforcements.
I hope my summary helps clarify the topic a bit more!
I would like to explore this topic further, both theoretically and practically – especially for those interested in load capacity and materials.
1. Standard BILLY (28 cm depth): These shelves are designed for regular hardcover and paperback books. IKEA states that each shelf can hold up to 13 kg (29 lbs). It is important to distribute the load evenly. For very heavy books, it is better to place fewer books per shelf and, if possible, only load the shelves up to around two-thirds of their capacity.
2. Larger BILLY variants (e.g., 40 cm depth): As kasan mentioned, there are also less common wider models. These are especially suitable for art books or coffee-table books. The shelves are generally more stable due to their larger dimensions but are heavier and less space-efficient.
3. Adjustable shelves: A major advantage of all BILLY shelves is that the shelves are height-adjustable. This allows you to optimize the height of each compartment to fit the books perfectly – it is essential for a neat appearance and prevents unnecessary tipping forces.
4. Additional reinforcements: For those who store an extremely large number of books or very heavy ones, I recommend installing wooden strips under the shelves or even metal brackets for support. This noticeably reduces sagging.
5. Wall mounting: Especially for tall shelves (over 2 m (6 ft 7 in)), wall mounting is mandatory to prevent accidents. This increases stability and safety.
Conclusion: For most users, a BILLY shelf with 28 cm (11 inches) depth is completely sufficient as long as the load is moderate and the shelves are adjustable. Those with many large, heavy books should consider deeper variants and possibly use additional reinforcements.
I hope my summary helps clarify the topic a bit more!
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