How to Create Inset Shelving With Sheetrock

Hold your level against the wall. Adjust the level until the bubble rests between the two marks on the tube. Drag the tip of your pencil along the bottom edge of the level to mark the top edge of your shelves. Repeat the procedure at the bottom edge of your shelves. Hold a "T" square against the wall. Line it up with your top line. Drag your pencil along the vertical blade of the square to mark the vertical edges of your shelves.

Push the tip of your keyhole saw into the drywall inside your outline. Push and pull the tool to cut a hole in the drywall. Do not try to cut through wall studs with this tool. Open as much of the outlined area as possible with the keyhole saw. Cut across the studs, following your outline, with a razor knife. Pull the drywall off of the studs.

Cut out the studs with a handsaw. Be careful not to damage the drywall on the back of the cutout. Leave the stud on each side edge of your cutout.

Measure between the vertical side studs. Cut boards to this measurement with your circular saw. Cut one for the top, one for the bottom and one for each shelf.

Attach one of those boards to the cut ends of the studs at the top of the cutout and the other to the ends of the bottom studs with 16d nails. Nail to the side studs at each shelf, making sure each one is level. Be careful swinging your hammer in such a tight spot to avoid damaging the existing drywall at the back of the hole.

Measure the area inside each square between the shelves. Cut a piece of drywall to fit the back of each gap between the boards with your razor knife. Glue each piece of drywall to the exposed back of the existing drywall with construction adhesive.

Measure, cut and attach a thin strip of drywall to each face of every piece of wood. Glue each piece of drywall to the wood. Cover the top, bottom and front edge of each exposed piece of wood. Attach the strips of drywall only to exposed wood, do not cover any of the spaces between shelves.

Drive drywall screws through the drywall and into the wood to fasten each piece in place. Take your time and cut the drywall to form perfect squared edges. Be careful using your screw gun in these tight areas to avoid damage to the shelves and wall.

Cover every seam with self-adhesive mesh tape. Apply a layer of drywall compound over the mesh tape and screw heads with your 6 inch drywall knife. Let the compound dry completely. Sand the dried compound smooth with sanding screens.

Wipe the shelves and wall with a dry rag to remove all dust and debris. Apply two coats of latex wall paint onto every surface of the shelves. Let the first coat dry completely before the second application. Let the second coat of paint dry overnight before using the shelves.