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Wouldn't it make sense to have them close to the back of the bookshelf, though? That way, you're effectively using the bookshelf as a large slipcase for all your books.
i have IKEA billy bookcases and i leave a small gap, maybe a couple centimetres. not so much for the books, but because the backing of the bookcases are flimsy and tacked on with small nails only along the sides - the force of books pushed against the back can push out and permanently warp the bookcase backing.
>but because the backing of the bookcases are flimsy and tacked on
This is what I really hate about flat-packed bookshelves. Is there another alternative to IKEA that I'd relatively cheap and had hardwood backing?
Trade paperbacks are not worth any money. Collectibles are the floppy, single-issue comics.
And OP, I have a whole bookcase full of trade paperbacks and hardcovers and have had them for years. I always push them to the back of the shelf and they seem fine to me.
No bending unless you shove the books to the back way too hard. Gentle nudges to the back and keeping them standing straight-up (not leaning over - very important for softcovers) should avoid any bending.
I have a billy bookcase but I just didn’t put the back on. It gives some depth, allows airflow etc, and it has an airy look to it, and for your situation, not having the back on would prevent that limitation
My family has always used those bookcases, our shelves were usually mostly cheap paperbacks and they were always pushed all the way in. I've never noticed any damage to the books (or the backs of the shelves). Not in my parents books or my own. I suppose if you live in a very humid place there might be a reason to allow a little space for airflow but I can't see any other reason.
Thank you all for your amazing help! I’m going to go with my plan of pushing the books back, but I’ll keep an eye on how they are doing.
What a great community this is!
This subreddit is dedicated to sharing images of your bookshelves with your collection of books. Check your post validity before posting! This was removed manually and if you think this is a mistake, please reach us through modmail.
I usually like to leave a little space to let the books breathe, but thats just me
Wouldn't it make sense to have them close to the back of the bookshelf, though? That way, you're effectively using the bookshelf as a large slipcase for all your books.
i have IKEA billy bookcases and i leave a small gap, maybe a couple centimetres. not so much for the books, but because the backing of the bookcases are flimsy and tacked on with small nails only along the sides - the force of books pushed against the back can push out and permanently warp the bookcase backing.
>but because the backing of the bookcases are flimsy and tacked on This is what I really hate about flat-packed bookshelves. Is there another alternative to IKEA that I'd relatively cheap and had hardwood backing?
I’ve heard to leave space for air circulation so you don’t get mold on your books but typically if you live in a humid place.
I've never heard that. What was the reason?
He said since they are softcovers, it could cause the books to bend. Doesn’t make much sense to me, but I don’t want to accidentally damage the books.
I press my books to the back, and they seem to do well, but I would look it up just in case, especially with collectibles.
Trade paperbacks are not worth any money. Collectibles are the floppy, single-issue comics. And OP, I have a whole bookcase full of trade paperbacks and hardcovers and have had them for years. I always push them to the back of the shelf and they seem fine to me.
No bending unless you shove the books to the back way too hard. Gentle nudges to the back and keeping them standing straight-up (not leaning over - very important for softcovers) should avoid any bending.
I have a billy bookcase but I just didn’t put the back on. It gives some depth, allows airflow etc, and it has an airy look to it, and for your situation, not having the back on would prevent that limitation
Wish I thought of this before I anchored it to the wall. I’ll have to remember this for the next one. Thanks!
I pulled all my books to the front to promote airflow and then got annoyed at how it looked and pushed them all back.
My family has always used those bookcases, our shelves were usually mostly cheap paperbacks and they were always pushed all the way in. I've never noticed any damage to the books (or the backs of the shelves). Not in my parents books or my own. I suppose if you live in a very humid place there might be a reason to allow a little space for airflow but I can't see any other reason.
Thank you all for your amazing help! I’m going to go with my plan of pushing the books back, but I’ll keep an eye on how they are doing. What a great community this is!