How to Add a Recessed Cabinet

Hold the cabinet against the wall where you plan to install it, while an assistant traces around where the cabinet touches the wall. Remove the cabinet and cut a small hole in the middle of the tracing with a drywall saw, inserting the saw’s blade at an angle to avoid hitting any objects behind the wall.

Look inside the wall with a flashlight, looking for obstructions like plumbing or electrical lines. If you see obstructions, you need to move the position of the cabinet to an area of the wall that doesn't have obstructions.

Cut out the wall along the lines you traced, using the drywall saw. Saw through any wall studs inside the area you traced, using a handsaw, and remove the stud from the wall cavity.

Measure the dimensions of the cavity in the wall, and then cut 2-by-4s to fit along the sides, top and bottom of the cavity, just under the drywall. Spread construction adhesive on the sides and ends of the 2-by-4s before inserting them under the drywall at the edge of the cavity.

Drive wood screws through the drywall and into the 2-by-4s, anchoring them firmly in place. Drive screws at an angle through the 2-by-4s that touch the trimmed wall studs, anchoring the 2-by-4s to the studs.

Insert the cabinet into the wall cavity, resting it on the wood framing you installed. Drive wood screws through the mounting holes on the inside of the cabinet and into the framing you installed. If the cabinet does not have mounting holes, drill guide holes on the sides, top and bottom and then drive wood screws through the guide holes.