How to Build a Shallow Pantry

Locate an empty section of wall, free of electrical wires, plumbing or other utilities. Cut an opening in the wall using a drywall saw. Make your top and bottom cuts horizontal and level. Use the inside of the adjacent studs as a guide for your vertical cuts. Cut the drywall flush with the inside of the studs.

Measure the distance between your studs. Cut two pieces of 2-inch by 4-inch wood to fit. Install a board above and level with the top cut drywall edge, using long wood screws drilled through the boards into the wall studs at an angle. Recess the head of the screws. Screw two screws into each side. Repeat for the bottom horizontal board.

Measure the distance between your top and bottom boards. Cut pegboard to your opening width plus this height measurement. Cut two extra spacer strips to the same height but only 1 inch wide.

Apply construction adhesive to one side of a spacer strip. Press the strip to the drywall that forms the back of your niche opening. Position the spacer with the thin edge against one vertical side stud. Glue the second spacer in the same position against the adjacent stud.

Place the pegboard over two pieces of 1-inch by 4-inch board that are longer than the height of the pegboard. Align the bottom and side corners and clamp the three pieces together. Place the three boards on sawhorses with the peg board up. Use the peg board holes as a guide to drill 1/4-inch shelf support holes in the wood boards.

Drill two holes along the horizontal board that are evenly spaced apart for each shelf. Because you are drilling through both of your height side boards at the same time, the shelves will line up with each other. Drill through your sets of holes along the entire height of the pegboard. Remove the clamps and mark the bottom of each board.

Spray paint the pegboard the color you like. A nonwhite color can add a punch of color to the room. Allow 4 hours for the paint to dry. Apply a bead of construction adhesive to the top of each pegboard strip inside your wall niche. Position the pegboard painted side out against the adhesive. This creates a gap between the back of the pegboard and the drywall so you can hang hooks in the pegboard.

Cut two pieces of 1-inch by 4-inch board, using your width between studs measurement. Align your board flat against the underside of the horizontal 2-inch by 4-inch board at the top of your niche. When possible, the edge of the board should be even and flush with your drywall. Finish nail the boards together. Repeat for the bottom board.

Measure the height between your newly-installed boards. Transfer this measurement to your drilled side boards, measuring each board from the bottom up. Cut your side boards. Place your side board flush against a vertical side stud with the bottom at the bottom and the edge even with the drywall. Finish nail your board in place, using a nail every 8 inches. Repeat for your second side.

Measure the width between your new sides. Subtract 1/8 inch. Cut 1-inch by 4-inch boards for your shelves. Insert 1/4-inch dowels or shelf pegs into the side holes to support your shelves.