How to Build a Recessed Bookcase on a Hall Wall
- 1). Use a stud finder to locate the wall studs in the hallway wall where you want to build the recessed bookcase. Mark their location on the wall with a pencil. Studs are typically 16 inches on center, and to avoid removing any studs, the bookcase will be built between the existing studs.
- 2
A hole saw bit makes cutting through the hall wall easy.circular saw image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
Cut a 5 1/2-inch circumference hole through the wall board, at eye level centered between the studs, using a drill equipped with a 5 1/2-inch hole saw bit. - 3
Most plumbing, electrical or HVAC equipment is run close to the floor or ceiling and will not interfere with your bookcase.plumbing image by Inger Anne Hulb?|kdal from Fotolia.com
Visually inspect the opening in the wall board for any electrical wiring, plumbing or HVAC ducts running horizontally or vertically between the studs that would interfere with your chosen location. Insert a straightened metal coat hanger, that has been bent to have a 12-inch reach, through the hole and rotate it to check for any impediments that are not readily visible. If anything is visible choose and check another location before continuing. - 4). Draw the outline of your bookcase on the wall with a pencil using a carpenter's square as a guide. These cut lines should be 40-inches high and the width between your wall studs.
- 5). Cut along the marked outline with a reciprocating saw and remove the wall board.
- 6). Cut two 40-inch lengths of 1-inch by 4-inch boards with a table saw to make your side frame pieces.
- 7). Cut two 1-inch by 4-inch boards that are equal to the width between the studs with a table saw to make your top and bottom frame pieces.
- 8). Line up the two side frame pieces, and mark the locations for your three shelves on them with a pencil.
- 9). Place a 1 1/2-inch dado blade on your table saw, and cut the dadoes for your shelves at the marked locations.
- 10
Cut three 1-inch by 4-inch shelves that will fit into the dadoes. - 11
Cut a piece of 1/4-inch plywood that is 40-inches in length and equal in width to the opening between the studs using a table saw. - 12
120-grit sandpaper will smooth the bookcase surface and prepare it for painting.sandpapier image by Thomas Aumann from Fotolia.com
Sand the frame, shelf and back pieces with 120-grit sandpaper. - 13
The bookcase can be painted to blend with or accent the hall walls.brush in paint image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
Paint all of the pieces with a paint brush dipped in acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry for two hours. - 14
Attach the back piece to the side frame pieces, and secure the side frame pieces to the wall studs with wood screws. - 15
Attach the top and bottom frame pieces to the side pieces with wood screws. - 16
Place a 3/4-inch bead of wood glue along outside edges of each of the shelf pieces, one at a time, and place them into the dado openings. Reinforce their placement with finishing nails. - 17
Cut four trim pieces, that are equal in width and length to the bookcase opening using a miter saw set at a 45-degree angle, and attach them to the bookcase frame with finishing nails.
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