Author Topic: Bookshelves  (Read 5611 times)

flamingo25

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Bookshelves
« on: November 04, 2014, 08:18:40 AM »
What would you recommend for a relatively decent-quality, reasonably-priced bookshelf?

We moved into our house 6 months ago but most of our books are still in boxes.

Suggestions? Thanks!

southernhippie

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Re: Bookshelves
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2014, 08:51:07 AM »
Craigslist for scrap lumber and build your own.  Its not too hard with using the internet as a resource.  And you obtain a new skill.

I got some scrap lumber from a friend for free an built my son a bookshelf.  Never done it before but with a neighbors help and a long afternoon.  It was finished and looked like a store bought antique

nereo

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Re: Bookshelves
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2014, 08:57:01 AM »
What would you recommend for a relatively decent-quality, reasonably-priced bookshelf?
Are you a DYIer (or looking to become one)?  Building bookshelves is a fairly easy prospect and depending on what you are after it can be done on the cheap and can match your space.  Must lumberyards will even cut the pieces for you, so all you need is a drill, some brackets and a few dozen screws. OR - use this chance to make something really spectacular and learn/practice skills like cutting dados and using a router.



merula

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Re: Bookshelves
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2014, 11:25:55 AM »
I've been a big fan of Ikea Expedit (discontinued but replaced with Kallax, which is basically the same). I love the versatility; I've got an Expedit 4x2 that's been used vertically or horizontally in pretty much every room in my house.

However, I got rid of most of my Expedit collection a year or so ago in favor of wall-mounted shelves, and it's been a huge space saver. I mounted them in what would otherwise be dead space, from 4-5 feet off the floor to nearly the ceiling. I think I've got around 40 linear feet of shelving holding my books, which had previously taken up two 5x1 and one 4x2 Expedits, plus a few smaller miscellaneous shelves.

In terms of cost, I paid more for brackets that worked with the age of my house (Ekby Hensvik http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60231446/), but you could easily use brackets less than half the cost, and if they're low profile ones they'll probably be mostly hidden by books anyway, so it doesn't matter. For the shelf itself, plain lumber painted or stained to whatever look you want is pretty cheap, too.

MoneyCat

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Re: Bookshelves
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2014, 11:30:29 AM »
I got some cheapo wooden shelves at Target and put them together at home and they have lasted me many years without problems.  If you have a Target credit card (or debit card), you get 5% off the price, so it's like only paying 2% tax.

OSUBearCub

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Re: Bookshelves
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2014, 12:24:11 PM »
I use these with the additional shelves ($15 for 2).  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30058508/

If you ever up-grade, these are super versatile and can be used in attic/basement/garage storage.  I've also seen them turned into killer wine racks.

UnleashHell

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Re: Bookshelves
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2014, 12:33:24 PM »
We use IKEA Billy bookcases for everything. They're great, durable and have withstood moving.

same here - 20 years we've had them and they have survived 5 moves including one transatlantic!
Still going strong.

Seņora Savings

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Re: Bookshelves
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2014, 12:58:08 PM »
Used bookshelves at a thrift/consignment store or craigslist.  You can get Ikea quality really cheap, and "I'm not surprised this survived a move" quality for Ikea prices.

You can also put shelves on your walls really easily.

BaldingStoic

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Re: Bookshelves
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2014, 01:14:40 PM »
When I was a kid, my mom made book shelves out of 1 by 10 boards stacked on top of cinder-blocks.  No hammer or nail required and was very stable.   

Dicey

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Re: Bookshelves
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2014, 02:12:59 PM »
HaHa, I just did this and posted about it on another thread. I shopped at the consignment store. Found something, but thought it might be Ikea. ID'd it on Ikea's website and then looked for it on Craigslist. Bingo. I actually wanted two and found them from different sellers. Much as I hate Ikea, their stuff is consistent. Paying half price for them made buying Ikea a little more palatable. When I'm done with them, I can probably sell them for what I paid. Go to Ikea's site and identify something that would work for you. Then hop on over to CL and see if you can get it for less. Also, if style is flexible, try freecycle.

Yeah, boards, cinderblocks and/or ladders all work, they're not the only mustachian options out there. I live in earthquake country, so safety is an additional consideration.

PurposelyVague

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Re: Bookshelves
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2014, 11:28:27 PM »
I have an ikea one as well that is still going strong. I have a smaller target one, but have found that the shelves have started to sag, so I wouldn't recommend them.