The Ebern Designs Wakil is a shallow bookcase designed for people who want lots of open shelving along one wall without spending a lot of money. It stands 74 inches tall and 58.7 inches wide. At the time of writing (October 2026) Wayfair lists it at $180 to $210 depending on the color. It’s a value for books, décor and light-to-moderate storage. But there are three things to keep in mind: it’s made of engineered wood rather than solid wood, it’s only 9 inches deep, and the assembly process gets mixed reviews.
A note on how this review was done: I haven’t tested this bookcase, and I won’t pretend otherwise. What follows is based on Wayfair’s published specifications and customer ratings, plus government safety guidance on furniture anchoring. The analysis is my own: what the numbers mean for a room.
What the “6-tier” name actually means
“6-tier” refers to the height, not the width. The unit has six levels of shelving. The listing describes a multi-column layout, with the shelves arranged in three columns side by side, and the description mentions 17 shelves in total. Before planning your space around that number, look at the product photos to see how the compartments are laid out.
Specs at a glance
| Spec | Detail (per Wayfair listing) |
|---|---|
| Overall size | 74.02″ H x 58.7″ W x 9.3″ D |
| Shelf size | 18.9″ W x 9″ D |
| Weight | 90 lb |
| Shelf weight capacity | 40 lb per shelf |
| Material | Manufactured wood (frame and shelves), with back panel |
| Finish | Gloss |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Cherry, Green, Natural, Oak, White |
| Tip-over restraint | Included |
| Assembly | Full assembly required, tools included |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
| Returns | 30-day policy (check Wayfair for bulky-item details) |
All of the above comes from Wayfair’s listing for the Wakil, which gives 74.02 by 58.7 by 9.3 inches, a 90-pound weight, a 40-pound shelf rating, and seven colors.
Size: will it fit your room?
The footprint is the main thing to check. At 58.7 inches wide, the bookcase needs a clear wall run of just under five feet. It works well on a long living room wall, behind a sofa in an open layout, or in a home office. It won’t fit a narrow hallway or a small bedroom wall interrupted by a door or window.
Height is rarely a problem. A standard 8-foot ceiling is 96 inches, so you’ll have about 22 inches of clearance above the top shelf. Check for crown molding, sloped ceilings, or a ceiling fan blade path if you’re working under an attic slope or in a finished basement.
The depth matters more than most buyers expect. Each shelf is 9 inches deep. That’s fine for paperbacks, standard hardcovers, picture frames, and small baskets. It’s not enough for a full-size three-ring binder (which is usually closer to 10 or 11 inches front to back when turned spine-out), large coffee-table art books, or deep storage bins. If you collect oversize books, plan to lay them flat in a different piece of furniture. I’d measure the deepest thing you want to store before ordering.
The slim profile is also a real advantage. Wayfair’s product specialist highlights that the slim depth keeps floor space open. In a small apartment or a rented room, a 9-inch depth reads as much lighter than a typical 12- to 16-inch bookcase.
Price: what you’ll actually pay
Wayfair showed the black version at $192.99, marked down from $799.99. Other Wayfair pages showed it at $187.99, $209.99, and $179.99, so the price moves around by a few dollars depending on color and timing.
Don’t take the “$799.99” figure seriously. When a reference price stays fixed while the selling price bounces between $180 and $210, the reference price isn’t telling you what the item normally costs. A fair way to judge value is to compare it with similar-size bookcases from other brands, not with the crossed-out number.
A few other price points from the same listing:
- Professional assembly is offered for $83.99.
- A 5-year protection plan is listed at $31.99.
- A set of two was listed at $385.98, which is exactly double the single-unit price of $192.99. There’s no bundle discount.
Whether the assembly fee is worth it depends on you. For a 90-pound, 74-inch unit, paying to skip a long afternoon of screws is reasonable if you live alone or don’t have a helper.
What customers say
The most useful data point is the volume. The Wakil has a 4.6 out of 5 rating from 1,202 reviews. The breakdown is 929 five-star, 166 four-star, 53 three-star, 28 two-star, and 26 one-star reviews. That works out to about 77% five-star and about 91% four- or five-star, with only around 4.5% rating it one or two stars.
Wayfair’s review summary (which is AI-generated, so treat it as a digest rather than a quote) says customers generally find the unit easy to assemble, attractive, sturdy, and good value, while a minority say assembly can be time-consuming and the included stickers meant to cover screw holes may not stick well.
One caution on reviews: a high average on a retailer’s own site doesn’t tell you how the unit holds up after two or three years of full shelves. A 1-year limited warranty is on the short side for furniture, so it’s worth paying attention to how heavily you plan to load it.
What it does well
- Value per linear foot. Almost five feet of floor-to-near-ceiling shelving for under $210 is hard to match from a brand-name retailer.
- Slim and wall-hugging. The 9.3-inch depth keeps the room from feeling crowded.
- Finished back and back panel. The listing notes a finished back and back panel, which matters if you’ll use it as a room divider or see the back from a doorway.
- Color range. Seven colors cover everything from neutral white and black to a green finish, so it’s easy to match an existing room.
- Included anchor. A tip-over restraint is part of the package, covered below.
Where it falls short
It’s engineered wood, not solid wood. The product name says “wood,” but the listing states the frame and shelves are manufactured wood. That’s normal at this price, and it’s why the bookcase can be light enough to ship and affordable. But it means you shouldn’t expect solid-wood durability, and screw holes can strip if you disassemble and reassemble repeatedly. If you move often, build it once, and plan for the possibility that it won’t survive a second assembly.
“Waterproof and scratch-resistant” is marketing language. The description claims it’s waterproof and scratch-resistant. A glossy surface will probably wipe clean after a spill, but manufactured wood generally swells if water sits in joints or edges. Treat it as spill-tolerant, not water-proof, and keep it out of bathrooms and damp basements.
40 pounds per shelf is adequate, not generous. A shelf full of paperbacks is well within the limit. A shelf of stacked hardcover textbooks, vinyl records, or heavy ceramics may not be. Put your heaviest items on the lowest shelves, where weight also helps stability.
Assembly takes time. Wayfair lists it as full assembly with tools included, and some customers say it drags. With roughly 90 pounds of parts and a big frame, set aside an unhurried block of time and, if you can, a second person.
Safety: anchor it to the wall
Any tall bookcase should be anchored, and this one is a clear case: it’s 74 inches tall with a 9-inch depth, which is a tall, narrow shape that tips easily. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges people to anchor TVs and furniture such as bookcases and dressers securely to the wall. The agency’s own figures say that since 2000 there have been 581 tip-over fatalities involving furniture, TVs, or appliances, 472 of them children.
Wayfair includes a restraint, and the description mentions two wall anchors. Use them, and anchor into a wall stud when you can. If you rent, ask your landlord before drilling. Most leases permit small anchor holes, and the CPSC’s Anchor It! campaign explains how to do it properly, including what to do if you can’t find a stud. The same advice applies to other tall furniture, such as the IKEA HEMNES dresser.
Who should buy it, and who should skip it
| If you want… | Verdict |
|---|---|
| A budget wall of shelving for books and décor | Good fit |
| A slim bookcase that won’t dominate a small room | Good fit |
| Seven color options to match a room | Good fit |
| Heavy-duty storage for textbooks, vinyl, or tools | Skip, 40 lb per shelf is limiting |
| Deep shelves for binders, art books, or bins | Skip, 9-inch depth is too shallow |
| Furniture you’ll disassemble and move repeatedly | Be cautious, manufactured wood tolerates this poorly |
| Solid-wood durability for decades | Skip, look at solid-wood makers |
Alternatives worth a look
If the Wakil’s width or shelf depth doesn’t work, Wayfair’s Ebern Designs listings include a narrower 70.9-inch six-tier bookcase around $80, and a Geng 74.3 by 47.2 inch double six-tier that’s a few inches narrower than the Wakil. Prices on these change, so check them before deciding. You can also compare the Wade Logan Bookcase with Smart Modules, which takes a more modular approach. For heavier loads, steel-and-wood etagere designs typically advertise higher per-shelf capacities, though they cost more. For a truly deep collection, a standard 12- to 16-inch-deep bookcase is better. For another option from the same brand, see our Ebern Designs 8-Layer Brown Bookcase guide.
Practical tips if you buy it
- Measure the wall, the doorway, and the staircase before ordering. A 90-pound package is awkward to maneuver.
- Assemble it in the room where it will live. Moving a fully built 74-inch unit is harder than moving boxes.
- Load heavy items low. Books and heavy décor on the bottom two shelves; lightweight items up high.
- Keep it away from radiators and vents, since heat and moisture can affect manufactured wood over time.
- Anchor it on day one, not after you “get around to it.”
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Ebern Designs Wakil bookcase?
It measures 74.02 inches tall, 58.7 inches wide, and 9.3 inches deep. Each shelf is 18.9 inches wide and 9 inches deep.
How much does the Wakil bookcase cost?
Recent Wayfair listings show it between about $180 and $210, depending on color. The “was $799.99” price shown alongside it isn’t a reliable benchmark.
Is the Wakil bookcase solid wood?
No. The frame and shelves are manufactured (engineered) wood.
How much weight can each shelf hold?
The listing states 40 pounds per shelf.
Does it come with wall anchors?
Yes. A tip-over restraint is included, and the description mentions two wall anchors. Install them.
Does it require assembly?
Yes. It requires full assembly, with tools included. Some customers say it’s time-consuming, so plan for a few hours.
What colors does it come in?
Black, Blue, Cherry, Green, Natural, Oak, and White.
Is the Wakil good for a home office?
Yes, for books, slim folders, and décor. Full-size three-ring binders won’t fit the 9-inch depth. It’s less suited to heavy files or deep storage. If you’re setting up a workspace, our Ashley Montia home office desk review is a useful companion read.
Related reading: Comparing bookcases? See our Wade Logan Bookcase with Smart Modules review.
Sources & References
- Wayfair product listing: Ebern Designs Wakil 74.02″ H x 58.7″ W 6-Tier Wood Bookcase (specifications, price, warranty, ratings; viewed October 2026)
- Wayfair category and keyword pages for Ebern Designs bookcases (comparison pricing)
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Anchor It! campaign (anchorit.gov and cpsc.gov)