How to Build Bookcases Into Studs

Review the blueprints of your home to make sure there are no pipes running through the wall where you intend to install your bookcase. Use a stud finder to locate the studs in this particular wall and mark their position in pencil.

Use a yard stick and a level to trace a rectangle on the wall between two studs that you will cut out in order to install your bookcase. Hold the yard stick (or straight edge) flat against the wall and set the level against it, adjusting the yard stick as necessary until it is completely level. Position the sides of the rectangle as close to the studs as possible.

Cut through the drywall using a drywall saw. Cut along the four edges of the rectangle you drew, and remove the drywall cutout when finished. Work slowly and carefully to avoid cutting into the wall studs.

Measure the width, depth and height of the opening between the wall studs using your yard stick or tape measure. Record these measurements on a sheet of paper. You will need to reference these measurements when cutting the boards for your bookcase frame.

Cut a sheet of 1/4-inch plywood to the width and height dimensions of the space between the wall studs using a circular saw. Stand this board upright inside the space between the studs to serve as the back panel of your bookcase. Drive nails from a nail gun through the panel into the wall along the edges to secure it in place.

Use the circular saw to cut two pieces of 1/2-inch plywood for the top and bottom panels of your bookcase. Cut these panels using the width and depth measurement of the space. Cut two side panels using the depth measurement and the height measurement, minus 1 inch.

Slide the bottom panel into the space between the wall studs so it is flat against the bottom of the cutout. Drive nails from the nail gun at an angle through the bottom panel into the back panel and into the wall studs along the sides. Install the top panel at the top of the cutout, attaching it with nails in a similar manner.

Install the side panels for your bookcase by sliding them vertically between the ends of the top and bottom panels. The widest edge of the side panels should be flush with the wall studs. Secure the side panels by driving nails from a nail gun through them into the wall studs as well as into the top, bottom and back panels.

Measure and mark in pencil the desired position for your shelves along the side panels. Cut your shelves out of 1/2-inch plywood using the depth measurement of the bookcase and the width measurement, minus 1 inch to accommodate the thickness of the side panels.

Set your shelves horizontally between the side panels where you made the pencil marks. Secure the shelves in place by driving nails from the nail gun at an angle through the sides and back of the shelves into the side and back panels of the bookcase frame.

Paint or stain your completed bookcase to match the decor scheme in your room. Allow the finish to dry completely before using your bookcase.