How to Cut Sheet Rock to Make a Shelf
Make a recessed shelf in your wall for a streamlined display area. The space between wall studs in interior walls is ideal for making a recessed display shelf. The drywall should be cut out between the wall studs to accommodate the shelf. You can build a simple wooden box to fit into the space where you removed the drywall. Use hardwood for the wooden box so that you can finish it to match your existing woodwork. Finish off the wall around the recessed shelf with molding for added detail. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stud finder
- Straight edge
- Drywall saw
- Tape measure
- 1-by-4-inch hardwood boards, 96-inch lengths
- Miter saw
- Hammer
- Box of finish nails
- Hardwood plywood, 24-by-48-inch
- Table saw
- Trim molding, 96-inch lengths
- Nail set
- Wood putty
- Putty knife
- Sanding pad, fine-grit
- Wood finish
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Slide a stud finder along the wall in the general area where you would like to locate the shelf. Mark the inside edges of the two closest studs with a pencil.
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2
Extend the lines of the stud markings to create a 12-inch-long line on the inside edge of each stud for the recessed shelf with a straight edge and pencil. Connect the vertical lines with horizontal lines to create a rectangle using the straight edge and pencil.
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3
Poke the point of the drywall saw through the drywall at one corner of the rectangle. Saw along each pencil line with the drywall saw to cut out the drywall. Remove the drywall from the wall.
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4
Measure the distance between the inside edges of the exposed wall studs with a tape measure. This is the length required for the top and bottom boards. The length for the side boards is 12 inches. Measure and mark the hardwood boards to length with a tape measure and pencil.
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5
Adjust the miter saw to cut at a 45-degree angle. Cut the sides, top and bottom boards to length based on the marked measurements from Step 4 with a miter saw. The long points of the mitered ends should be on the back sides of the boards so that they fit together like a picture frame inside the wall opening.
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6
Fit the sides, top and bottom together to form a rectangular box. Hammer two evenly-spaced finish nails through the corner joints to secure the box together.
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7
Saw the 24-by-48-inch piece of plywood to size to fit over the outside dimensions of the rectangular box with a table saw. Cut the plywood to the correct width first and then cut it to the correct length.
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8
Lay the plywood over the back of the rectangular box assembly. Hammer finish nails through the plywood into the back edges of the rectangular box assembly. Evenly space the nails every 4 to 6 inches.
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9
Slide the box assembly into the wall opening so that the inside of the box is facing out. Hammer two evenly-spaced finish nails through each side of the box assembly into the wall studs near the top and bottom corners.
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10
Measure the outside dimensions of the wall opening with a tape measure. Measure and mark the trim molding boards to those dimensions on the inside edges of the molding. Cut the molding to length with the ends at 45-degree angles using a miter saw. The long points should be on the outside edge of the molding so that the molding fits around the opening like a picture frame.
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11
Fit the molding around the opening. Hammer finish nails through the molding into the wall every 4 to 6 inches to fasten it in place. Set the nails 1/16-inch deep into the surface of the molding with a nail set. Fill the nail holes with wood putty using a putty knife. Allow the wood putty to dry for 24 hours.
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12
Sand the wood putty flush with the surface of the molding. Apply an even coat of wood finish to the recessed wall shelf with a paintbrush. Apply a second coat after 4 hours.
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Tips & Warnings
Add more than one shelf to increase the potential storage space.
Wear eye protection when woodworking to prevent eye injury.
