How to Fill in a Niche With Drywall

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Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure

  • Dropcloth

  • Marker

  • Straight edge

  • Utility knife

  • 2-inch-by-4-inch lumber

  • Circular saw

  • Screw gun

  • Drywall screws

  • Drywall tape

  • Joint compound

  • Sandpaper

  • Primer

  • Paint

  • Brush

A wall niche is a "carve-out" in a wall designed to showcase a sculpture, painting or other home decor. In some instances, the wall niche has recessed lighting to show off the focal piece or it may be left unlit to simply provide an understated backdrop. If you have a wall with a niche and wish to cover it, drywall is an ideal material for doing so because it is so versatile for interior remodeling.

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Step 1

Remove everything from the wall niche and put in a safe place. Place a dropcloth under the wall niche to catch any materials such as drywall dust and paint so you don't damage the flooring.

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Step 2

Measure the wall niche's height and width, then draw lines with a straight edge and marker on a drywall panel matching the measurements you took from the wall niche.

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Step 3

Score the lines with a utility knife several times until the cut goes through or nearly through the drywall panel. Snap off the excess if necessary, then hold the cut panel up to the wall niche to ensure it fits.

Step 4

Cut four 2-inch-by-4-inch lumber beams with a circular saw to match the height and width of the wall niche. Place all four beams into the wall niche, 1/2 inch from the edges of the niche's border. This will allow the drywall patch to sit seamlessly inside the niche, covering it smoothly from the outside.

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Step 5

Fasten the beams to the inside of the wall niche with a screw gun, then set the drywall patch against the beams. Fasten the drywall patch to the beams with drywall screws.

Step 6

Tape the edges of the drywall patch with drywall tape and cover the entire patch, concentrating on the edges, with joint compound. Let the compound dry for one day, then sand the entire patch and edges to smooth it and make it flush with the wall.

Step 7

Prime and paint the drywall patch with a paintbrush and a matching color to conceal the wall niche.

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