Can’t tell you how many times I’ve ended up with “bookshelves” that could probably double as tornado shelters. My house is from the 1920s, and honestly, I think the original builders had the same mindset—everything here is twice as thick as it needs to be. I did try thinner shelves once, thinking I’d outsmart gravity... but let’s just say my cookbooks are now living on the floor. Sometimes a little overkill just feels right, you know?
I totally get what you mean—sometimes “overbuilt” just feels safer, especially when you’ve seen what a shelf full of cookbooks can do to thin plywood. The old houses really were built to last, and honestly, I think there’s something to be said for that kind of durability. Still, load distribution can be tricky. The weight doesn’t always spread out evenly, especially with heavy books or if the supports aren’t spaced right.
One thing that’s helped me is using a simple online span calculator before I cut anything. Makes it easier to figure out if a thinner board will hold up, or if it’s back to the lumberyard for something chunkier. I’ve tried going lighter too, but yeah… my “minimalist” shelf experiment ended up bowing like a hammock after a few months. Sometimes it’s worth overdoing it just for peace of mind.
my “minimalist” shelf experiment ended up bowing like a hammock after a few months
Been there. I tried using some leftover MDF for a closet shelf—looked fine at first, but after loading it up, it sagged right in the middle. Now I just stick with thicker boards and more brackets. Not worth the hassle of redoing it later.
Yeah, load distribution is trickier than it seems. I once put up a long shelf in my laundry room using pine boards—thought it looked sturdy enough. After a couple months with detergent bottles and towels on it, the center was sagging like crazy. In hindsight, I should’ve added a middle bracket or gone for thicker wood. Minimalism’s cool until gravity gets involved...
Honestly, pine’s just not up for the heavy lifting—especially with laundry stuff. I’d argue it’s less about minimalism and more about picking the right material. Ever tried reclaimed hardwood? Stronger, eco-friendlier, and way less saggy drama.
