I've been looking for some cabinets / bookcases to display my vintage toys (Fisher Price, Star Wars, etc.). These will be in my basement / arcade space so trying to find something simple and not too expensive. After doing some research I'm kind of sold on the Ikea Billy Bookcases with glass doors. Anyone have these?

[www.ikea.com]

These have been around forever so they must be decent. Any other options out there for the price? Does anyone sell flat packed "plywood" or "wood" constructed bookcases online?

We have two of them. Well made.

I don't think you can go wrong with the Billy bookcase with doors. We have had 2 sets with doors for over 10 years. Doors and closure mechanisms are still working fine.

I've got several that are 10 years old.

You do have to be careful when moving them to not put too much strain on the joints (because particle board is particle board) and they'll hold up pretty well.

I would avoid a full load of heavy books on any of the adjustable shelves as they will deform over time under heavy load (like all similar ones.)

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Athens, OH

For toys, they'll be more than fine. The shelves can sag under heavy books, but there are ways to remedy that. Only thing you might consider is that they have hardware (six hex boltheads) visible on the ends. A lot of other RTA bookcases have figured out ways around that.

FWIW... make SURE you attach them to studs in the walls for safety.

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cbelt3
FWIW... make SURE you attach them to studs in the walls for safety.

Yeah, I'm wondering about that. I have exposed cinder block walls in my basement. Thinking hanger wire (or safety wire) attached to the floor joists and to the top of the bookcase would be "good enough" to keep them from tipping. Obviously I can secure them with tapcons in the block as well.

Basically like this look.



Ikea - Billy with Lights & More Shelves by Darth Ray, on Flickr

I use these at the tops to make sure the top edges all align. I just tap them in a bit, not all the way down, and they're easily removed with a screwdriver for moving.



In other places, I put a drywall screw laterally from one into the bookcase next to it. Of course, this mars the end of the bookcase it enters, so I only do that when they're a pretty permanent placement.

Impressive

It is estimated that every five seconds, one BILLY bookcase is sold somewhere in the world. Pretty impressive considering we launched BILLY in 1979. It’s the booklovers choice that never goes out of style.

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Mr Downtown
In other places, I put a drywall screw laterally from one into the bookcase next to it. Of course, this mars the end of the bookcase it enters, so I only do that when they're a pretty permanent placement.

Ive done that... but drilled the hole first and used a barrel nut (sometimes called a 'sex' bolt.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

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Mr Downtown
I use these at the tops to make sure the top edges all align. I just tap them in a bit, not all the way down, and they're easily removed with a screwdriver for moving.

What are these called? Link?

Ours bookend a TV stand, and are tied together at the top with a shelf.

In our poured basement I screwed 2x2's into the wall plates and ran them down to tie into the shelves at the top. Or I used a concrete nail gun and L brackets .. mostly I used the nail gun to emplace electrical boxes and braces for EMT when i ran power.

"Billy" just does NOT sound like an IKEA product name, is that it's USA nickname, and does it have some unpronounceable given name?

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GGD
"Billy" just does NOT sound like an IKEA product name, is that it's USA nickname, and does it have some unpronounceable given name?

Good question.

I've got a pair of Billy that are older than my kids (so 27+). For about 17 of those, I built the lower half into dresser drawers. Then, when the kid moved out, back into bookshelves.

As long as the particle board doesn't get wet or compromised, they'll last forever.

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Embarassing myself on the Internet since 1978.

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raz
I've got a pair of Billy that are older than my kids (so 27+). For about 17 of those, I built the lower half into dresser drawers. Then, when the kid moved out, back into bookshelves.

As long as the particle board doesn't get wet or compromised, they'll last forever.

I'm wondering if should do anything to get them off the floor just a litle bit just in case the floor would get damp. The basement is dry. However, if the gutters get knocked off (kids... grrrr...) the floor in those "may" get damp. so, maybe 1x1 to get them off the tile floor would help.

Another fan of the BILLY bookcase here.

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It is what it is.

If I remember correctly, they come with screw in adjustable feet. Could easily raise them up.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

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spacescape
I'm wondering if should do anything to get them off the floor just a litle bit just in case the floor would get damp. The basement is dry. However, if the gutters get knocked off (kids... grrrr...) the floor in those "may" get damp. so, maybe 1x1 to get them off the tile floor would help.

The weight of the Billy bookcase is all on the left and right side-boards. The bottom edge of the sideboards that sit on the floor is a raw, unfinished particle board edge that will suck up moisture like a sponge. There are no feet to the bookcase. If you want to raise it off the floor, maybe jury rig a platform of sorts with lengths of square aluminum tubing to get it up off the floor. Just be 100% certain it is completely stabilized and anchored to the back wall since the aluminum will be "slippery".

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Space,

Dollar for dollar, Ikea Billy bookcases are amazing. Ikea designed them with a slew of options which makes them amazingly versatile. Different types of doors. Different lengths. Different heights. Lighting. You name it. The fact that they're under 12" deep makes them great for apartments. Billy bookcases will hold up nicely as long as you don't overload them and as long as they stay dry. They do not come with adjustable feet.

You have to anchor them to the wall. It isn't a bad idea to anchor them to each other. I put felt sliders on the bottom of the bookcases. The reasons were twofold. The first was to prevent them from damaging the wood floor. The second was to make them very easy to move when they day arrived that I sold the apartment and either took them with me or if the new owner didn't want them and I had to remove them. Turns out, when I sold the place the new owner kept the bookcases exactly where I'd placed them. The new owner after that removed them.

How is the overall humidity in the basement? You may have to take steps to reduce the humidity if you plan to spend any time in it. I know this doesn't have anything to do with the question but I figured I'd mention it anyway.

Robert

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Robert M
How is the overall humidity in the basement? You may have to take steps to reduce the humidity if you plan to spend any time in it. I know this doesn't have anything to do with the question but I figured I'd mention it anyway.

He should be fine with any basement humidity. I have a Billy bookcase in my basement that gets very humid in the summer and after rain. It's been down there for over 7 years. No problem whatsoever.

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.....Billy....goat......gruff......

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Basement has a humidifier going in the summer and is pretty dry...

Now, my biggest issue is making sure they are in stock before driving an hour to get them. I wish Ikea allowed you to purchase for delivery and they contact you when they are ready. I'd usually love to spend a few hours at IKEA but right now I'd prefer to not hang out or stay for lunch.

.....make sure anchored.....a lot of those cases/dresser drawers were recalled due to dangers of falling over......

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

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NewtonMP2100
.....make sure anchored.....a lot of those cases/dresser drawers were recalled due to dangers of falling over......

Agreed. I might but a 2 x 2 anchored to the wall and attach the shelves to that.