How many books can a Billy bookcase hold?

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The ubiquitous IKEA Billy bookcase, for example, runs almost 30" wide and has 6 shelves. That means it offers just under 180" of shelf. If you need 600 inches of shelf, you'll need 3.33 bookshelves (600 divided by 180).



Also to know is, how many books can a standard bookshelf hold?

If your collection is mainly fiction and you like to read it over again and again. Then a standard bookshelf or library cabinet will do you well. On the bookshelf, you can place either 25 identical thick books, or 45 thin books.

One may also ask, is the Billy bookcase sturdy? Billy bookshelves are very sturdy, and they don't look like particle board, except that in some colors the back section, which is very flimsy, can look it.

Also to know is, how much weight can a Billy bookcase hold?

The Billy bookshelf is made of very thin particleboard. It will hold the weight of the television, especially if you affix the bookcase to the wall with a bracket as Malcolm intelligent suggests, but I'm very certain that the top surface panel would begin to sag and give, even under the weight of 43 pounds.

How deep is a Billy bookcase?

All bookcases have a depth of 11” (28 cm). The IKEA Billy bookcase series is a classic design with an emphasis on functionality and flexibility.

35 Related Question Answers Found

What is the best wood for bookshelves?

Birch is the best wood to use if you plan to paint your bookcase, and maple lends itself to a variety of stains. But there are also special-order lumberyards that make veneer plywood from any kind of wood, including mahogany, teak, cherry, or walnut.

How do you calculate shelf spacing?

Measure the thickness of each shelf and calculate the total of these. Subtract this from the height and you now have the total distance of the space between all the shelves. Divide this by the number of spaces and that is your measurement. So each space will be 1786 divided by 7 = 255.14 mm round this off to 255 mm.

How many books is a lot to own?

How many books does a person have to own to officially be labeled a book hoarder? According to Shelfari's Compulsive Book Hoarders Group, the answer is simple: 1,000 or more.

How many books do you own?

Today we have perhaps 10 thousand books. Pretty much every one of those books has been read, at least by one of us.

How do you measure a bookshelf?


How to Measure for Bookshelves
  1. Clear any objects from the wall and floor. Set these objects aside.
  2. Place a tape measure on one end of the wall. Pull the measure to the other end of the wall to measure the length of the wall.
  3. Pull the tape measure from the bottom of the wall to the top of the wall to measure the height of the wall.

How do you measure a shelf?

How to Measure Shelves
  1. Look at the space where you want to place the shelving.
  2. Stretch your tape measure across the area where you want to install the shelf.
  3. Step back in order to view the tape.
  4. Use the tape measure to determine how much space you want in between the shelves.

Do Billy bookcase shelves sag?

Billy bookcase shelves have a reputation for sagging. It's easy to strengthen the shelves with this hack. Find this Pin and more on Ikea Hacks by Randa Hiemke.

How do you strengthen a Billy bookcase?

To correct and strengthen your BILLY, all you need is a few more nails (consider using double the nails as suggested in the original instructions) and some wood glue. Place the flimsy backing piece back on your bookcase as directed, but use more nails hammered more closely together.

Are Ikea Billy bookcases any good?

The Bottom Line on the Ikea Billy Bookcase System
However, once the Billy bookcase is filled with items (or overstuffed with them), it tends to fade into the background—which is a good thing. Ikea's Expedit bookcase is aesthetically superior, and also has a deeper shelf that easily holds coffee-table sized books.

How do you keep bookshelves from sagging?


How to Fix Bowing Bookshelves
  1. Use a tape measure to determine the width of the shelves.
  2. Visit a local hardware store and buy metal brackets for the shelves.
  3. Take everything off the shelves.
  4. Attach a metal bracket directly in the center of the sagging area for each shelf.
  5. Take everything off the bowing shelves.
  6. Remove the shelves from the bookcase.

Can you stack Billy bookcases?

Billy is about the most generic, versatile style Ikea makes. They're like Legos that don't adhere to one another. There is no reason you wouldn't be able to do this as long as you don't stack too much weight on each shelf, as the shelves are pretty thin and you don't want them to bow in the middle.

Can you buy extra shelves for Billy bookcase?

You can use the extra shelves to make room for more stuff when your storage needs change. Fits BILLY bookcase 31½"wide and 11" deep. The shelf does not fit bookcases purchased in the spring of 2014 or earlier.

Can a bookshelf hold a TV?

Because they aren't meant to hold a TV, most bookshelves are not equipped with wire management holes like entertainment centers are. Because of this, be sure to select a bookshelf with a backing that you will be able to poke holes into or that you can leave off completely.

How much weight can an Ikea bookshelf hold?


The problem is Ikea states that the max. load per shelf is 13kg. According to my estimates, each shelf is able to contain approximately 90 or so records depending on how tightly you pack them. Thus each shelf would easily weigh about 25 kg, way in excess of the weight limit.

How long does it take to assemble Billy bookcase?

The second and third bookshelves only took about 20 minutes each, if that long. They are even easy to assemble alone, although I think the directions recommend two folks. I had no problem putting them together by myself. I assembled the first Billy shelf in the office.

Are Billy bookcase shelves adjustable?

BILLY bookcases are built with a stackable design that allows you to attach new units whenever you need additional storage, just decide on what height suits your space best. Every model in the BILLY series also features adjustable shelves so you can fit anything from books to trophies, and everything in between.