How thick should bookshelf be?

Use 3/4-inch thick materials for shelves and bookcase structure. If you’re using hardwood solids, it’s OK to boost the thickness to 1 1/4 inch for almost unlimited support.

What should I look for when buying a bookshelf?





7 Things to Consider Before Buying a Bookcase

  • 1.) Size. Measure the space you are working with. …
  • 2.) Material. Bookcases will serve the purpose you are looking to solve regardless of material. …
  • 3.) Adjustable Shelves. …
  • 4.) Open Back Bookcases. …
  • 5.) On Display or Hidden Away. …
  • 6.) Finish & Style. …
  • 7.) Types of Bookcases.

What size bookshelf should I get?

Multiply the average width with the total number of books ( = 600). This means you have 600 inches total width of book, so you’ll need 600 inches of shelf. If you’re building your own, you have some freedom and flexibility. All you need to do is make sure you build at least 600 total inches of shelf space.

What is a good shelf depth?

The standard depth of most shelves is 16 to 20 inches deep. The highest shelf should be shallower, like 12 inches deep, to make those items easier to access. If you find that stuff seems to get pushed to the back and forgotten about, you should consider even shallower shelves.

Is MDF strong enough for bookshelves?





MDF is a good material for making shelves because it’s cheaper than plywood, it’s strong enough to carry light to medium loads, it’s easy to cut to size, has a smooth surface, and paint applies well to it. Additional stiffeners and supports can be added to the MDF shelves to allow for heavier loads.

How thick should plywood be for shelves?

3/4 inch thick

Plywood for shelves should be 3/4 inch thick or thicker. Standard sheets of plywood come in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch, 5/8-inch, and 3/4-inch thicknesses. Plywood panels over 3/4 inch in thickness are usually special order products.

Should I get a bookcase with doors?

Glass Doors Provides for Easier Cleaning



For even easier cleaning, opt for a ceiling-height bookcase with glass doors. Not only will these units make your room appear larger and provide more storage space, but they also eliminate the need to dust and wipe the tops of the shelving units.

Do I need a bookshelf?

Having a bookshelf is important because it saves a lot of space in the house. If books are kept here and there they take much of space in the room. You can buy a suitable bookshelf according to the availability of space in your house. This would save the space as the books and files will no longer be scattered.

Are 12 inch shelves deep enough?

Unless your closet uses tall doors or doors that go all the way to the ceiling, a 12 inch shelf depth is recommended. The reason is because of the space between the header and the top shelf in the closet. In standard construction, the bottom of a header is typically positioned at 72 inches from the floor.

What is a good width for a shelf?



Usually, the topmost shelf is the shallowest for easy access to items. Be careful with shelves that are so deep that items get pushed far back. Kitchen shelves usually have a depth of 16 to 20 inches for a pantry, but you can work with a depth of 12 inches. Look for shelves that are 17 inches to 21 inches wide.

What is the average depth of a bookcase?

between 10”-12”

Bookcases typically range in depth between 10”-12” (26-31 cm) for medium sized books. Smaller bookcase depths of 6.5” (17 cm) may be desired for paperback books and novels, while larger bookcase depths of 14” (35 cm) are useful for records and larger format books.

How deep is a Billy bookcase?

11”



IKEA Billy Bookcases come in height variations from tall at 93.25” (237 cm) to short at 41.75” (106 cm). Widths range from wide designs at 31.5” (80 cm) to thin designs at 15.75” (40 cm). All bookcases have a depth of 11” (28 cm).

What is the standard width of a bookcase?

As we have seen, bookcases come in a wide variety of sizes. A standard 4-shelf bookcase is about 54 inches tall (just over 4 feet). The width of a standard bookcase ranges from 24 inches (2 feet) to 45 inches (3.5 feet). Most bookcases are 10-12 inches deep.

What height should bookshelves be?

Most bookcases range from three to eight feet tall. Consider both aesthetic and practical concerns when choosing height. Tall bookcases that fill up most of a wall typically look more expensive and formal; however, shorter ones offer the added functionality of a usable surface area on the top.

How much gap should be between shelves?

The rule of thumb for spacing is 12 inches between each shelf but bump that up to 15 or 18 inches and you enhance that sense of exposure and accessibility.

What is the standard spacing for bookshelves?



8 to 12 inches

Shelf spacing will generally range from 7 to 15 inches with 8 to 12 inches being common for bookshelves. To prevent the case from looking and being top-heavy, use a smaller shelf spacing near the top and a larger one near the bottom.

What is the average space between shelves?

Average Shelf Spacing

A good average spacing for shelves is between 8 and 12 inches. If you have oversize books to store, you might prefer to increase the spacing to 15 inches.