How to Create a Wall Niche
A wall niche offers a great alternative to the regular, everyday shelf for displaying your photos and other treasures. An inverted shelf that is actually a part of your wall, niches come in different shapes and styles, giving you a variety of options from which to choose. With a few basic tools, you can easily create your own wall niche without hiring a carpenter. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stud-finder
- Level
- Drywall saw
- Flashlight
- Utility knife
- Tape measure
- 3/4-inch plywood
- Table saw
- Wood glue
- Hammer
- Nails
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Molding
Instructions
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1
Hold a stud-finder over the spot on the wall where you want the niche. You will need to place the wall niche between your studs, so mark the spots with a pencil. Hold a level against the wall and when the bubbles in the tubes are between the lines, draw lines across the wall to mark where you will cut.
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2
Cut two or three small holes with a drywall saw inside the markings you made, using a flashlight to look around for any electrical wires that may be protruding. If necessary, call an electrician to have the wires rerouted before you proceed to the next step.
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3
Cut the drywall along the lines with a utility knife, just enough to score it. This will make it easier for you to go over it with a reciprocal saw which will open up the section of the wall.
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4
Measure the width, height and depth of the opening in the wall to get the measurements for the insert that will form your niche. Apply these measurements to some 3/4-inch plywood for the top, bottom, left, right and back panels of the insert. Mark the measurements with your pencil and cut the pieces to the correct size with a table saw.
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5
Assemble the pieces you cut out for the insert, apply wood glue to the edges and reinforce the edges with nails. Paint the box to match the wall. Wait for the paint to dry completely.
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6
Place the box inside the opening in the wall and secure it with nails driven into the surrounding studs. Nail molding around the edges to conceal raw trim in the opening.
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References
- Photo Credit wall niche image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
