How to Build Family Room Shelving

Locate and mark the studs in the wall with a stud finder. Drive a finish nail into the wall to locate the exact edges of the wall studs. Draw vertical lines at the edges of the studs and a horizontal line that intersects the vertical lines with a level.

Cut holes that measure 3-by-3 inches in the top, middle and bottom portion of the space between the wall studs with a drywall saw. Angle the saw’s blade, as you cut, to avoid hitting pipes or electrical wiring in the walls. Look through the holes to see if any obstacles, such as pipes or wires, will prevent you from installing the shelving.

Cut out the wall along the vertical and horizontal lines you marked then remove the wall in the cutout. Measure the height, width and depth of the cutout and cut boards that fit within those dimensions.

Measure the thickness of the board that you plan to install on the top of the cutout then cut a second pair of boards for the sides of the cutout that measure the same length as the first pair of boards, minus the thickness of the board for the top of the cutout. Place the longer side boards with the shorter boards so one end of the shorter boards sits flush with the end of the longer board then drive wood screws through both boards to join them together.

Position the shelving’s top board between the taller side boards and rest the top board on the tops of the shorter side boards. Drive wood screws through the longer side boards and into the top board. Position the bottom board between the side boards and drive screws through the side boards and into the bottom board.

Measure the distance between the side boards and cut boards to fit in the gap to make shelves. Slide the shelves in place between the side boards and drive screws through the side boards and into the shelves.

Measure the outer edges of the shelving frame you constructed and cut a piece of plywood to fit. Spread construction adhesive around the edges of the frame then lay the plywood on top. Drive finishing nails through the plywood and into the frame.

Spread construction adhesive onto the wall studs inside the cutout. Insert the shelving unit into the cutout and drive wood screws through the sides of the unit and into the wall studs.