How to correct lean on bookcases?

Question

We have a pair of timber bookcases that are sinking into the carpet at the back, which is causing them to lean backwards. The carpet is fairly plush, which means there's further to sink.

What can we do to correct the lean and make sure that the bookcases are stable?

It was hard to get a good photo showing the lean, so here's a version with a spirit level on one of the shelves:

Dave-1 · Answer

Good morning @waj89

Ive generally had bookcases want to lean forward, not backward due to the edge attachment of the carpet in rooms :) I have "cheated" when that happens but putting small pieces of timber under the front so it tilts the bookcase back to level or actually against the wall (Id rather it touch the wall at the top as less chance of it toppling or you could secure it with a bracket or chain)

So for your bookcase leaning backwards you could "chock it" at the rear of the bookcase, only 40mm long by say 5mm as a starting point then judge to see how vertical it is. If you want teh whole rear of the bookcase flush with the wall than I would suggest to cut out the equivalent notch from your bookcase feet to your skirting board as @EricL and @Nailbag have suggested. I prefer the "chock" as its less invasive to the bookcase :)

Dave

Nailbag · Answer

Hi @waj89

The closer back towards the wall you move the bookshelf the more plumb/vertical it will become. But this is to a point to which it will then start to lean forward. This is due to the smoothedge strip that runs around the perimeter of any carpeted room that holds the carpet flush into the bottom of the skirting.

Unless you cut a section out of the skirting, you will never get the bookshelf flush to the wall. And even if you did, the smoothedge will cause that forward lean. The other alternative is to have a carpet layer cut the carpet around the bookshelf with new smoothedge. This is of course once the skirting has been removed. This would be the way to go if the bookshelf was to be pemenant.

Now if all you want to do for now is leave if up against the skirting then you will need to use packers under the front of the bookshelf, then secure the top of it against the wall to prevent it from falling forward, You would need to use L-brackets fastened to the top of the bookshelf and to the wall to stabilise it from forward/backward motion. This method will still leave a gap between the bookshelf and the wall.

Nailbag

EricL · Answer

Hello @waj89

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your bookcases.

One of the best ways to level and secure your bookcase is to install an angle bracket on top or the side of the cabinet. I suggest having a quick look at this guide - How to attach furniture to a wall for safety. This guide will show you the basics on how to anchor your cabinet to the wall.

You'll notice on your photo that your wall has a small skirting board at the bottom. This means that you'll need to leave a gap at the top of the cabinet about the same size to compensate for this or cut the skirting board and take it off so that your cabinet can be flush with the wall. Make sure to use a spirit level before permanently anchoring the bookcase to the wall.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @DIY4Knuckleheds for their recommendations.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric