When you love to play board games, it is useful to have a set of shelves where you can keep them organized and handy. The right shelving unit should have room for all your favorite items. You may need wide shelves for rectangular boxes or baskets for cards and dice. A bookcase with tall spaces between the shelves gives you room to store several boxes.
If you are a competitive player, then maybe you have awards or photos from game meets you want to display. Perhaps your shelves are a focal point in your home or office. In this case, you may prefer a case with a back that will help stop someone from bumping your special items off the shelf. When you want more light in the room, it may be better to go with an open-back bookcase.
The thickness of the shelves is an important component when selecting the right shelf for your needs. When you need to store a bunch of games, magazines, or books, then the strength of the unit makes a big difference. The shelf material, assembly requirements, edge design, and ornate features may also factor into your shelf selection.
If you are in a rush to get a shelf for your games and accessories, then we feel the IKEA Hemnes (shop now) display case is a great pick. Our Editor’s Choice selection is solid with a back cover. One of its best features is the bottom shelf that is removable for accessing electrical cords and strips.
Comparing the Main Features of Our Five Best Bookshelves
| Furrino | Winsome Leo | Meet Perfect | IKEA Hemnes | IKEA Kallax | |
| Size | 23.6 x 11.6 x 57.4 inches | 11.25 x 25.25 x 42 inches | 48 x 18 x 76 inches | 35 3/8 x 14 5/8 x 77 1/2 inches | 59.49 x 15.98 x 10.24 inches |
| Number of shelves | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 16 |
| Material | Wood and Plastic | Various Woods | Steel | Solid wood | Wood |
| Adjustable | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Color | Black | Dark Brown | Silver | Dark Brown | Dark Brown |
| Weight | 14.47 pounds | 23 pounds | 64 pounds | 70 pounds | 125.7 pounds |
| Shop Now | Shop Now | Shop Now | Shop Now | Shop Now |
1. Furinno – Best No Tools Assembly Unit
Whether you are a busy parent, not mechanically inclined, or you just want something easy to assemble, the Furinno shelves are quick and easy to put together. This unit is sleek and modern with an open back to give you clear sight of the game titles no matter where you sit. The tall display case gives you tons of space for family games, books about gaming, video games, and much more.
Product characteristics and benefits
- High shelf height
- Round edges reduce scrapes from accidental bumps
- Fits together by tightening tubes and shelves
- 20 pound weight limit per shelf
- Durable yet lightweight construction
- Shelf depth over 11 inches
- High-quality wood shelves using durable particle board
- Lightweight at under 15 pounds
- Easy to clean with a damp cloth
- No chemical odors
Cons
- Shelves may wobble or tip at the full weight
- Plastic feet easily become uneven causing balancing issues
Buyer comments
For storing board games, this shelving unit is a breeze to put together. Many buyers like the tall shelves. However, the suggested weight limit is a little much for the top shelves. Some buyers find the plastic pieces break too easily.
Concluding thoughts
When you need something simple and easy to build, then the Furinno Shelving Set comes in handy. This model is not for storing bulky or heavy items. We suggest the largest items you showcase go on the lowest shelves to provide the best stability. Anchoring the shelving unit to the wall is the safest way to use it.
2. Winsome Leo – Best Space Saving Bookcase
Do you have little room to devote to your favorite board games and family night fun? If you live in a small house or apartment, then the Winsome Leo bookcase may be the size you need. The unit features three shelves with wide spaces between each for stacking game boxes.
Product characteristics and benefits
- Strips of wood along the back and sides of the shelves prevent small items from falling off the unit
- Quick construction
- Shelf height is one-foot tall
- Beautiful ladder style
- Depth of shelves is over 11 inches
- Weighs under 25 pounds
Cons
- Cannot adjust the shelves to fit items
- Shelves may peel in humid environments
Buyer comments
Many consumers like the size and design of this shelving unit. Several people say it only takes fifteen minutes to half an hour to put this model together. One creative person put two units together with a countertop and made a kitchen island with open storage. Some users have problems with the size of the screw holes not matching the screws.
Concluding thoughts
When you need a small yet sturdy shelving unit for your home, then this one might be what you want. The open design makes the case look lighter, however, this model is sturdy enough for most books, games, pictures, and plants. We think the Winsome Leo would look good in any room of the house.
3. Meet Perfect – Best Industrial Shelving Set
When you have a huge collection of games you want to store, it might be best to go with a robust, metal case. The Meet Perfect shelving unit is large enough to fit in any garage, basement recreation room, or kitchen. You can hide it in a pantry, or put this model on full display. The shelves are heavy enough to stay put no matter how much you load them up.
Product characteristics and benefits
- Entire unit can hold as much as 4,800 pounds
- Wheel locks help secure the unit
- Rust-proof finish
- Item breaks into two sets of three shelves if you want
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Commercial-grade wheels allow you to move the unit when you want and lock it in place when you need to keep it secure
- Can change the height of the individual shelves
- Variable height feet let you perfectly level the shelving unit
- No tools necessary to assemble
Cons
- May not be robust enough to move when there are heavy objects on the shelves
- Legs can bow and sag
- Small wheels are hard to maneuver
Buyer comments
Most of the consumers purchasing this item are happy with it. They feel the shelves can handle a lot of weight. Many say this unit is an excellent choice for storage areas because you can change the shelving height. One piece of advice from consumers is to add the wheels at the end of the assembly. A few people say the directions are not easy to follow.
Concluding thoughts
We think the customization capabilities of the Meet Perfect shelves make this unit an excellent option for any home. The room you have for storage containers allows you to organize the entire case. Our favorite part is that there are no tools necessary to build this model.
4. IKEA Hemnes – Best Editor’s Choice Pick
Solid wood shelves are a great choice if you’re looking for something sturdy. The IKEA Hemnes shelves use solid materials to ensure your items are always safe and sound. You can also adjust the shelves to accommodate your stash of games, baskets, or totes.
Product characteristics and benefits
- Easy level feet
- Removable lower shelf
- Beautiful color and details
- Four adjustable shelves
- Easy to set up
- Cleans with a damp cloth
- Will not peel
Cons
- Thin backing may bow
- Nails may not hold shelves secure
Buyer comments
Many buyers say you have to make sure to put the pegs in according to IKEA instructions to prevent shelves and items from falling. They also say following the instruction manual is the most important part of the assembly. A few people feel this bookcase is flimsy.
Concluding thoughts
We like the natural beauty of this display case. You can easily put your games on the IKEA Hemnes shelves (learn more) and see if you want to move them. We have to agree with most consumers that the instructions are a bit overwhelming. The most important thing to remember is to put the brackets in place the same way you see them in the pictures.
5. IKEA Kallax – Best Room Separating Shelves
When you live in an open-concept home, it can be hard to find wall space to put furniture. With the IKEA Kallax shelves (see Amazon), you can turn your bookcase into a divider. Whether you want to create a play space where you can watch the kids while you work in the kitchen, or you need two distinct areas, these shelves can create it.
Product characteristics and benefits
- 16 Storage cubes
- Best to secure this item to the wall because of the weight
- Mounting hardware comes in the box
- Dark color minimizes stains
- Durable wood construction
Cons
- Requires two people to assemble
- Weighs over 100 pounds
Buyer comments
Most people like the look of these shelves. Many people dislike the price of this model. Several say it is hard to assemble. The weight is the biggest complaint.
Concluding thoughts
We think this model should go in a basement or along a wall. If you can secure it to the floor, then this bookcase is a beautiful room separator. We like the IKEA Kallax because of the uniform shelves.
Tips for Selecting a Shelving Unit for Board Games
Your display case should be appropriate for the size of the room where you want to use it. Picking the right item may be as easy as taking the measurements of your largest board game. You can also use the number of items you want to display to select the right bookcase for your needs. Of course, the weight limit of the shelves may be the deciding factor.
Shelf size
The distance between each shelf and whether this is adjustable may be important to you when selecting the best bookcase for your home. Overall height of the unit can also be a big factor. The thickness of the shelves could determine how much you can put on each one. All of these will help you make the right choice concerning the shelf size you need.
Open or closed back
For many buyers, this choice is a personal preference. Some like open shelves, while others prefer a more traditional design with a closed back. The full back gives you more security when you have delicate or important items you want to showcase. An open unit will let more light into the space when you use it in the middle of a room.
Number of shelves
How much you have to store can help you decide the number of shelves you need. If you have a bunch of little items, then a large unit with lots of shelves may be the most appealing. When you want to put your most precious items front and center, then fewer shelves can have a more dramatic effect.
Location
Where you plan to put your shelves may be the most important aspect to you. If you want something for the middle of the room, then a heavy, standalone set is best. For units against the wall, a lighter, less stable model may be fine if you anchor it to the wall.
Materials
The weight of the objects you are showing off can help you choose whether you want solid wood, plastic, metal, or a mix of materials for your shelves. If you only need the unit for board games, then a light unit with less expensive materials may suit you fine. For those who want a durable product that will last for years, the heavier, more solid units are best.
The Top Two Questions About Bookshelves for Board Games
Are the shelves easy to combine with other units?
Most of the models on this list are easy to combine with other units or use two of the same item to create a wall of shelves. The IKEA room divider with 16 shelves may be a little hard to combine with other units unless you have a sizable room to separate. These units are excellent for dividing a room to create two distinct areas.
Can you disassemble the shelves and reuse them over and over?
The Furinno display unit is the most portable case on this list. Since you need no tools to take this item apart and set it up, it is the fastest and easiest move to another spot. We do not recommend trying to disassemble the Meet Perfect and IKEA shelves unless you need to move them because they weigh so much more than the other models.
See Also:
5 Best Bookshelves For Storing Manga
4 Best Floating Shelves For Heavy Items
How To Clean Your Bookshelves Without Removing Books
