How to Build Half a Bathroom Wall

Sketch the bathroom with a dividing wall approximately 30 inches high. Be sure to make the wall height fit the bathtub or toilet space it will separate. Use graph paper to draw everything in the room to scale, so the finished project will match the design you envision. Plan to construct the wall at least 6 inches thick. Make the wall wider if you have space and a sturdier wall looks more visually appealing.

Nail 2-by-6-inch boards to frame the exact shape of the short wall. Build the framework using nails, but reinforce it to floor joists and a house wall with 4-inch screws. Construct the framework with a 5-foot top plate and 5-foot bottom plate, for example, with studs installed between the plates on 16-inch centers. Use a carpenter’s level to make sure the sides and top surface are level as you secure it in place. Figure out if any electrical outlets or plumbing needs will require addressing before you cover the wall.

Install drywall over the wall framework to enclose it as a solid unit. Use metal capping to fit over the corners before using joint compound to finish the wall surfaces. Apply drywall tape and joint compound to smooth all gaps and seams. Allow to dry and sand the seams. Add another layer of joint compound and sand again. Be sure to consider any special accessories for the wall, such as a recessed toilet paper holder, so you can carve out the drywall to make room for it.

Cover the top of the short wall divider with tile or wood sections. Paint the wall white or a light neutral color to match the existing walls of the room. Add baseboard material and any appropriate wood trim to protect edges from getting scuffed over time.

Make the wall very tough by covering the drywall with porcelain tiles. Use the same tiles you’ve installed on the bath floor, as a good choice.