What is a good bookshelf size?

For ease of shelf access, bookcases are generally no higher than 84 inches. Small bookcases are usually 30 to 42 inches high. The highest shelf in a bookcase should be as high as an average-sized person can comfortably reach - about 72 to 78 inches.

What is the size of a standard storage shelf?

Standard shelving units are 36", 42" and 48" wide. Choose the size that best fits your product. Determine the shelf depth. This is the front-to-back dimension.

What is the average depth of a shelf?

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.

What is the minimum depth of a bookshelf?

Most shelves are built a minimum of 11 to 12 inches deep, but this is your chance to customize: Go for it!

What is the perfect bookshelf depth?

Shelf depth for a general purpose bookshelf is usually 10 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.

Roasting YOUR Bookshelves

Is 8 inches deep enough for bookshelf?

For most ordinary books, 8 inches is enough and the 12 inch shelves commonly used are too deep.

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 ideal shelf spacing?

A good rule of thumb for spacing floating shelves is to measure 12 inches between the shelves. However, this can be boosted up to 18 to 24 inches for exposure and accessibility reasons.

What is the best height for a shelf?

Like artwork, floating shelves look best when they're eye level, about four to five feet from the floor. If you're hanging shelves above furniture, measure about ten inches from the top of the desk or couch. If placing shelving over a kitchen counter, they should be approximately 16 to 24 inches from the counter.

What is the max width of a bookshelf?

Bookshelf width is typically no more than 12 inches. If the space is limited, the shelf can be reduced to 9 inches. Single bookcase units with two sides, top and bottom should be no wider than 36 inches without a center support.

How deep are built in bookshelves?

Where To Use Built In Bookshelves. Built ins are flush against a wall and will generally have a depth of a regular bookshelf, around 12 inches.

How wide are shelf standards?

Attractive and durable, these metal shelf standards are ideal for everything from utility cabinets to book cases. Standards are made from epoxy-coated cold-rolled steel and can be surface mounted or recessed into a groove in the cabinet or shelving wall. Standards are 5/8" wide x 3/16" thick.

How tall is a common bookshelf?

Standard bookshelves are usually about four feet tall (54 inches) with 9 to 12 inches of space between the shelves. A standard library bookshelf can fit around 12 books.

How much overhang should a shelf have?

Keep overhangs at each shelf end to 8 inches or less. Lighter loads can be held by supports screwed into every other stud at 32-inch intervals. Limit shelf overhangs to no more than 12 inches. Masonry walls require inserting either expansion shields or lead anchors.

How tall are library bookshelves?

Shelf height can range anywhere from 30 to 84 inches. Be sure your students can reach the top shelf of your units. Aisle width between shelves must be the minimum ADA requirement of 36 inches, although the ADA preferred with is 42 inches.

What is typical bookcase shelf spacing?

Make sure you measure the biggest books you want to include, considering their dimensions in your design. As a reference, standard shelf spacing is between 8 to 12 inches. If you want to house entertainment equipment in the same unit, you'll need shelves from 18 to 20 inches deep (for most systems).

How many brackets do I need for an 8 foot shelf?

A minimum of 2 brackets are needed to hang a shelf 12-48 inches long. 3 brackets are recommended for shelves 49-84 inches.

How far to space brackets for shelving?

For light to medium loads, shelving brackets should be spaced no more than 24 inches apart. For longer wire shelving, attach a bracket at least every 48 inches. For heavier loads, increase the size of your brackets and decrease the space between them.

What is a good thickness for shelves?

How thick should wood be for shelves? While 3/4-inch is a common thickness in the wood shelving industry, 1 1/4-inch to 3 inches is an option if you're wanting to showcase more of the wood's character.

How thick should my shelf be?

Plywood Shelves

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.

Is 18 deep enough for a closet?

'Walk-in closets' shelves should be 18-24 inches deep. Shoe cubby shelving should be 12 inches deep. ' Jordan Marks and Cheryl Arzewski suggest very similar numbers, explaining: 'Hanging clothing usually takes up 23-24 inches of depth.

How thick is a standard bookshelf?

Typically, bookshelves are 11 to 12 inches deep, but if you are building your own bookshelves, this is your opportunity to customize your shelves to fit your books. If you have a lot of oversized books, measure the largest one, and add 1 to 2 inches to the depth.

How deep are the Billy bookcases?

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).

How high should a wall mounted bookshelf be?

When hanging shelves on a hallway wall, measure up from the floor 5-6 feet. For hanging shelves on a dining room or living room wall, measure up from the floor 4-4.5 feet.