How to Create a Nook in a Wall

A wall nook fits readily between your wall studs. Since these studs are typically 16 inches on center, this usually translates to a maximum width of 15 inches or less for each nook, subtracting for the width of sides of the studs. You can measure whatever items you want to display in the nook -- a vase, books, sports trophies or the like -- to arrive at a custom height for the wall nook.

Electronic stud finder
Pencil
Straightedge
Utility knife
Reciprocating saw
3/4-inch plywood
1-by-4 dimensional lumber
1/4-inch plywood or lauan
1-inch brads
Brass screws
4 rosettes
Stain or paint
Shelf supports

Instructions

- 1
  Pass an electronic stud finder, which beeps when it finds denser wood studs, over the wall to find a pair of wall studs hidden behind the drywall to define the edges of the nook. Mark the inner edges of where the studs end with a pencil line on the wall.
- 2
  Mark with a straightedge the top and bottom of the planned nook opening, connecting these lines with those of the stud edges to create a rectangle.
- 3
  Cut along the marks with a utility knife, making repeated passes, until you completely go through the drywall; or, score the drywall paper and cut out the drywall with a reciprocating saw. Lift the rectangle away from the wall.
- 4
  Build a box out of ¾-inch plywood or 1-by-4 dimensional lumber to fit the opening, gluing and nailing the corners and allowing them to dry. Cut backing for the box from ¼-inch plywood or lauan. Hammer the backing to the box with 1-inch brads.
- 5
  Push the box into the opening and screw it to the studs with brass screws to match your wood tones.
- 6
  Trim the nook with 1-by-4 dimensional lumber or molding, meeting in a mitered edge or at a 4-inch wood rosette, glued to the wall with construction adhesive and nailed into the stud. Stain or paint the nook box, trim and rosettes.

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