Bookcases

[Janie]

Greetings, everyone!

I'm taking my spring break at my sister's in PA and was planning a trip to Philly to IKEA for bookshelves. Given the price of gas to make a four hour trip to IKEA or the $140 shipping for IKEA to deliver shelves to my door, I'm rethinking the purchases from IKEA.

Since the Billy shelves are particleboard, do you have any suggestions for a good alternative to IKEA? Does Costco carry bookshelves? What about stores like Lowe's or Home Depot?

I really need 5' shelves that are as tall as I can get. Suggestions please!

[Lisa at Home]

One time I got solid oak double bookcase from Lowes for $150!!! Why I didn't buy several, I'll never know. :o

I have also purchased similar at Sam's. I regularly check Costco and Home Depot, as I am always watching for bookcases.

Generally, IMO, Costco has better quality furniture than Sam's. Really, the best thing to do is just watch all four of those places and pounce when they get them in.

~Lisa

[RoughCollie]

I bought bookcases at Staples online before I discovered Ikea. They have held up just fine. Staples delivered them for free.

The difference is that Ikea sells extra shelves and doors for their bookcases, which is a big deal to me. They also sell a few accessories for them, but I don't use those.

Ikea's shipping charges are outrageous, IMO.



Since the Billy shelves are particleboard, do you have any suggestions for a good alternative to IKEA? Does Costco carry bookshelves? What about stores like Lowe's or Home Depot?

I really need 5' shelves that are as tall as I can get. Suggestions please!

[KristineIN]

Our Mendards has some nice oak veneer bookcases for pretty inexpensive. My mom got us a double one for just over $100.00 when we moved and dh was pretty impressed with them.

Kristine

[Sue G in PA]

I ask ONLY b/c there is an IKEA in Baltimore, MD (actually White Marsh) right off 95N. Do you pass through there going to see your sis? I see you are in VA. You could stop off at IKEA in White Marsh and get the shelves if you really like IKEA or on the way home. Just a thought...

[Janie]

I'm in Harrisburg right now. The closet IKEA is in King of Prussia / Philadelphia. We thought we might drive over there tomorrow or Monday.

Since I live in south central VA, my trip home is on the other side of the state!

Thanks, Sue!

[strider]

We bought two tall, narrow Markor bookshelves and really like them. They are solid wood but still affordable. They are espresso colored. There are several size/configuration options.

[Jami]

Hi Janie,

If you rethink IKEA, we have a couple of shelves from the Leksvik series and they're solid wood and very nice. I think the basic shelf starts around 99$. But I also have a nice solid wood shelf from Lowes that I stained and sealed myself. It was very reasonable and has doors over the bottom shelf.

Jami

[Carol in Cal.]

They are unbelievably sturdy, and you can add modules from other lines that coordinate with them (as long as you use one of their main colors.) I like the height extensions, and also the doors with clear glass. The only thing I don't care for is the backs, but they don't show much in the brown black colors, and we have opaque doors over the birch colored ones, so they don't show. (Besides, how many homeschoolers have any empty spaces on their books shelves? Give me a break!)

[Mrs Mungo]

I have to say, I've owned a lot of bookshelves in my time the IKEA bookshelves (despite being particleboard) have held up better than any other bookcases I have owned. Our Billys were moved within Germany, back to the US and now to Hawaii and are still going strong.

[one l michele]

I have two of these side by side and they serve my purpose well. Search for "staples oak wooden bookcase". There are also reviews of them on the Staples web site. The only thing I may suggest is to buy an extra to have extra shelves if you have books smaller then a 3 ring binder. You can't beat the price and not having to lug them home on top of it. They were very easy to put together.

[Beth in OH]

When we need inexpensive, sturdy particleboard furniture, we always buy Sauder ready to assemble. I'll link the website--look for a full line dealer near you. The stuff is reasonably priced, and our bookshelves are wonderful (they get a real workout). We do try to choose narrower shelving units to reduce the likelihood of sagging shelves. We have a whole wall of shelves--six units. A realtor recently asked us if they were oak built-in's. :thumbup: They look good.

http://www.sauder.com/furniture/category.asp?l=2&c=3

Beth

[Laurel T.]

We have had the Billy shelves from IKEA for about 7 years. They have been moved 6 times and they still look great. They have even held up in children's rooms. I dream of having about 5 or 6 more.

Laurel T.

[Mama Bear]

IKEA stuff tends not to offgas (which turns out to be a fairly big deal), unlike most particleboard articles. I have loved every piece of IKEA furniture I've ever had -- some used, some new, all sturdy and far more durable than anything else (including Sauder, etc.) except solid wood ($$$), though that's available there too.

HTH and good luck! :)

[WendyK]

The best bookcases I ever bought were from Lowes. They have held up well through a move too. I have a bookcase from IKEA. The only positive thing I have to say about it is that it was cheap so I won't cry if it doesn't hold up. But it really was/is a piece of junk.

[Montana Peach]

If you have any locally owned bookstores check with them. I got two of those gigantic bookstore-type bookcases that are floor to ceiling height and five feet wide - 100 for both. They were some extras they wanted to sell so it was a good stroke of luck.

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

The Billy hold up well, believe me we tested them! But we also have a great set from Lowes that are not particle board-I can no longer remember the company name but they are an unfinished kit that you put together like the IKEA furniture. The only difference is that they need to be painted or stained or just finished if you don't want the bare wood look. They are actually more like plywood with a nice veneer on some of the pieces and other pieces are actually solid wood. The company also makes matching desks, audio cabinets, TV units etc. Sometimes Lowes can order the items they don't have in stock.

Hope you find some you like!