Most shelves are built a minimum of
11 to 12 inches deep
, but this is your chance to customize: Go for it!
How deep should a shelf be?
Shelf depth is determined by the size of the items to be stored, generally within the range of 6 to 24 inches. 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.
How deep are built ins usually?
The base can be fitted with drawers or doors to conceal electronics and accessories. Cabinetmaker Stewart True of True Carpentry and Cabinetry in Cummings, Georgia, says 36 inches is a good height for a base, while
20 to 24 inches
is a good depth — deep enough for board games and electronics.
How thick should built in shelves 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. This type of shelf looks more like a mantel and is expensive, but adds the opulent look of craftsmanship.
How deep is a bookshelf usually?
The average shelf depth is
12 inches
, which is more than adequate for standard books, novels and textbooks. Standard storage cubes of this size fit nicely onto shelves and make an attractive option for storing toys or other small items on the bottom shelves in a playroom.
What kind of wood do you use for open shelving?
If you are making shelves where the color and grain of the wood is an important part of the design, look for
oak, maple, or cherry plywood
—these options will still offer durability, but will help keep costs down compared to with non-manufactured hardwoods of the same species.
What is standard shelf spacing?
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.
How much should a built in bookcase cost?
The cost to have built-in bookshelves installed averages
$2,691
or between $1,276 and $4,106 for a carpenter to do the job. If you buy the materials yourself, you can usually get a handyman to install them for $30 to $130 per hour. For high end custom work, expect to spend $150 to $1,200 per linear foot.
How do you modernize built ins?
- Paint or restain. …
- Remove elaborate pilasters and molding that don’t fit the home’s style. …
- Change hardware. …
- Change or remove cabinet and drawer fronts. …
- Install lighting.
How far can a shelf span without support?
The eye will notice a deflection of 1/32 inch per running foot so that a fully loaded (70-80 pounds) bookshelf that is 3 feet wide, should sag no more than 3/32 inches. For most shelves made from 3/4 inch stock, a practical span is
30 to 36 inches
.
Is MDF stronger than plywood?
MDF is ideal for cutting, machining and drilling, since it does not chip easily. On the other hand,
plywood is a much more stronger material
, which can be used for doors, floors, staircases and outdoor furniture.
How thick should plywood be for garage shelves?
We use
1/2′′ plywood
for the 16′′ width shelving – perhaps go up to 5/8′′ or 3/4′′ if you do 24′′ wide shelving or have especially heavy loads destined for these shelves.
How deep is a Billy bookcase?
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 deep is a pantry shelf?
Don’t go too deep. Most experts recommend that pantry shelves be
no more than 12 inches deep
. Any more, and things begin to get buried.
How deep are shelves in a closet?
Closet shelves are NOT one size fits all. Ideally, they should be a variety of depths based on what each section needs to store. Builders commonly put in shelving that is
11 1⁄4” deep
.
