Spread the word
In any office space, storage is important. Whether you use bookcases for your book collection, file, or jewelry, you need to know the right bookshelf width to fit into your home office.
The standard bookshelf width is 31 inches and about 12 inches deep. However, it is not uncommon for bookshelves to be built 36 inches wide. Keep in mind that bookshelves come in many different shapes and sizes. Shelves can be tall and narrow or short and wide. Your space and storage needs will determine the ideal bookshelf width.
Many bookcases today have adjustable shelves that give users the freedom to add or remove shelves to suit their design preferences. Read on to learn about the different shelving options and their sizes.
By the way, before I get too far here, if you want to connect with other homeowners, DIYers, and builders and get more great ideas for your home to make your space the best, join my group free facebook private, Reshape Reality here.
How wide should bookshelves be?
There are all kinds of bookcases on the market. However, most people buy bookshelves that are relatively the same size and shape, regardless of where they come from.
Shelves style | Standard width | Standard height | Standard depth |
Bookcase with two shelves | 31 inches | 32 inches | 12-13 inches |
Bookcase with three shelves | 30-36 inches | 41-48 inches | 12-13 inches |
Bookcase with four shelves | 24-45 inches | 54 inches | 12-15 inches |
Bookcase with five shelves | 31-37 inches | 72-77 inches | 12-13 inches |
The truth is, however, that there are all kinds of bookshelves that don’t fit into one of the five bookshelf sizes mentioned above.
For example, if you work in a cramped space and don’t have an entire wall to dedicate to a tall bookcase, you can stack several small bookcases on top of each other.
Additionally, you may have large binders or file boxes that won’t fit between the shelves of a regular bookshelf. In this case, you will need to find bookcases with deeper shelves or with a greater distance between the shelves.
Fortunately, there is a wide range of racks to choose from.
Standard home office built-in shelf dimensions
Those who work from a dedicated home office can usually take advantage of a built-in bookcase or two for their storage needs. The standard sizes for an ever-useful built-in library are as follows:
- Width: Depends on the available wall space
- Height: 84 inches or less for easy access
- Depth: 10 to 12 inches deep
- Shelf Spacing: 8 to 12 inches between shelves
When designing bookcases and built-in shelving for your home office, you should consider your specific storage needs. For example, if you have several large vines that you know you will be storing, be sure to leave enough space between each shelf to accommodate the height of the vines.
Different uses for bookshelves
Bookshelves have many different uses. The name «bookshelf» indicates their main purpose: to store and preserve books. However, any bibliophile knows that books can come in all shapes and sizes.
For a bookshelf to act as a proper display space for books, it must be able to support the heavy load of heavy books, larger books, and all the small books in between.
However, a bookshelf isn’t just about books. As a piece of furniture, a bookshelf is very useful for storing and displaying all kinds of things, from decorative objects to bulky board games.
A library of the right size can solve all kinds of organizational needs, especially those of the home office.
How to reinforce a bookshelf
If you keep filling your bookcases with books and files, eventually it can weigh hundreds or even thousands of pounds. If your shelf is solid wood, it will be even heavier. If you have tall items in your home office that weigh so much, you need to reinforce their strength to ensure you avoid dangerous situations.
The dimensions of a shelf have a lot to do with how strong it is. In addition, you can take steps to strengthen your bookshelf so that you can handle the extra storage space and handle heavier loads.
How to avoid bookshelf falling
Loose shelves are a common problem. Once you pack too many items on a shelf, eventually the shelf will start to sag in the middle due to the weight.
You have a few options to reinforce the sagging shelves. First, take everything off the shelves so they are empty.
- You can insert vertical supports under the center of each shelf.
- You can screw an additional strip of solid wood under each shelf.
- Remove the insides of the unwanted books and insert wooden boards into them vertically, which will support the shelf above, just like the Family Handyman does Here.
Anchoring a bookshelf to a wall
When using a tall shelf, you should always anchor it to the wall. Do this whether your shelf is solid wood or cheap plastic.
A falling shelf can be extremely dangerous, especially if it is full of books and heavy materials. An earthquake or any number of random incidents can send a tall bookcase toppling over.
- Flexible nylon straps are more secure than L brackets
- These furniture straps are the strongest and most versatile straps available today. A bookshelf has no outer edges. Bookshelves are designed to hang on walls, but modern bookshelves also sit on the floor, just like bookcases do. See an example bookshelf:
- Climb a ladder to draw a pencil line where the bookshelf meets the wall.
- Pull the empty shelf against the wall.
- Locate the studs on the wall behind the bookcase and mark the locations with a pencil
- Align the Velcro anchor straps vertically and drill each end into the stud.
- You can also use metal consoles for a stronger grip. When using brackets, use the same area where the wall stud is.
Next steps
Want to join others creating the most amazing home redesigns and renovations and get more tips, tricks and hacks on how to make your home the best it can be?
Join my new free private Facebook group, Reshape Reality to connect with other people like you to make your space the best!