How to Hide a Door in Drywall

Remove an existing door by unscrewing the hinges and hardware. Follow by removing any existing baseboards and molding surrounding the door frame, if applicable.

Cut through the drywall on the wall with a reciprocating saw. Start with a 1-foot square section or enough where you can see inside the wall cavity behind the drywall. You want to check to see if there is any electrical wiring that you may need to work around. Mark locations on the wall for reference.

Look for the header beam inside the wall cavity and the bottom plate on the floor inside the cavity. Use a tape measure to measure the height between the header and the bottom plate. Take this measurement with you when you shop to purchase the pocket door and framing kit. Purchase a pocket door that is shorter than the total height you have to work with, never more than the height.

Measure the width of the pocket door. Add 2- eet to the measurement. Run a tape measure from the edge of the door and mark a spot on the wall based on the total measurement. Next run the tape measure vertically, 1 foot below the ceiling to the baseboard, and draw a vertical line on the wall. You will use these lines as your reference points, and cut out the drywall from this section of the wall, all the way to the door frame.

Subtract the total height of the pocket door, including the top and bottom track, from the height between the header and sole plate. To achieve the right height, nail 1-by-3 or 1-by-4 lumber boards to the header. For example, use two 1-by-3 boards if you need to shorten the height be 6-inches. Do not add boards to the sole plate, as this will rise the bottom of the pocket door too high.

Cut away studs with a jig saw to make them flush with the edges of the header and sole plate so the tracks are level and you have clearance to slide the pocket door inside the wall.

Position the top track on the header beam. Hammer a nail through the screw holes on the ends and in the center to temporary hold it in place. Mark the other screw holes with a carpenter’s pencil. Drill starter pilot holes following your screw hole guides. Screw in screws on the left and right ends. Remove the temporary nails. Check to see that the track is straight, using a level. Once the level is confirmed, complete installing the remaining screws.

Hang a plumb bob from the top track to align the position for the bottom track. Repeat Step 7 to attach the bottom track onto the sole plate.

Fit the pocket door onto the tracks.

Reinstall drywall to the wall and seam edges around the door frame and replace molding. Sand, prime and repaint the wall and door frame to complete your pocket door installation project.