Hello,
We are in the process of building a custom bookshelf using Bestå and Billy from Ikea, and we've made some progress similar to the picture. We have an idea to take an additional Billy shelf that is 40 cm deep and use them horizontally to create a shelf above the TV. However, we're considering how to reinforce it so that it doesn't sag in the middle. The space between the bookshelves on the sides is 1.8 m. We'd prefer not to use any unattractive brackets that show under the horizontal Billy shelf. Any tips?
We are in the process of building a custom bookshelf using Bestå and Billy from Ikea, and we've made some progress similar to the picture. We have an idea to take an additional Billy shelf that is 40 cm deep and use them horizontally to create a shelf above the TV. However, we're considering how to reinforce it so that it doesn't sag in the middle. The space between the bookshelves on the sides is 1.8 m. We'd prefer not to use any unattractive brackets that show under the horizontal Billy shelf. Any tips?
Some suggestions:C CarolinaB said:
1. Make sure there is one or more vertically screwed-in dividers in the middle and use them as "hidden" brackets, i.e., screw them into the wall.
2. Stiffen up the shelves (at least the bottom one) with something bend-resistant, e.g., standing strips of plywood, preferably several and preferably "double sandwiches" 2x12mm screwed and glued, or an L-shaped steel rail.
3. Build the shelf from a more bend-resistant material than Billy shelves, e.g., glulam boards.