How to Build a Narrow Wall Between Rooms to Hide Cabinets

One way to hide kitchen cabinets between rooms is to install a narrow wall. Unlike a full-size or load-bearing wall, there are no regulations as to number of sockets or ventilation, since the wall should be no longer than 48-inches. Building a narrow wall between rooms to hide cabinets does not require removal of the ceiling or the flooring, regardless if you have carpet or linoleum. Building the wall does require some knowledge of drywalling, as it is necessary to cover the wall frame once you install it.

Stud finder
Pencil
Tape measure
2-by-4-inch boards
Circular saw
Carpenter's square
12d nails
Hammer
Level

Instructions

- 1
  Run a stud finder across the wall where you want to build the extra wall and find a wall stud. Mark the center location of a wall stud with a pencil.
- 2
  Slide the stud finder across the ceiling and locate the ceiling joists. Determine if you have joists that are 16 inches apart or 24 inches apart.
- 3
  Check the length of your proposed wall with the measurements of your ceiling joists. If you have 16-inch on-center joists, build a wall either 16 or 32 inches in length. If your joists are 24-inch on-center, build a wall either 24 or 48 inches in length. The end of the wall must come under a ceiling joist.
- 4
  Cut two 2-by-4-inch boards to your wall length with a circular saw. Place one board on the floor and measure from the top of the board to the top of the ceiling. Subtract 1-3/4 inches from the measurement. The 1-3/4 inches is the width of the second 2-by-4-inch board.
- 5
  Cut three 2-by-4-inch boards to the measurement. Place the two length boards on their side with the height boards in between them at each end to form a box. Place a carpenter's square across the corners to ensure the corners are square. Drive 12d nails through the face of the length boards and into the ends of the height boards. The height boards are new wall studs.
- 6
  Measure to the center of each length board and make a mark. Position the third height board in the center of the box frame at the marks. Drive 12d nails through the face of the length boards and into the ends of the center board.
- 7
  Stand the frame wall up and position one end against the mark on the wall for the wall stud. Drive 12d nails through the end of the frame wall and into the wall stud behind the wall.
- 8
  Place a level on the side of the frame wall at the ceiling. Move the end of the wall as necessary until it is level. Drive 12d nails through the top of the frame wall and into the ceiling joists. Toe-nail the end of the wall into the corner of the current wall. Toe-nailing is driving the nail through the boards at an angle.
- 9
  Position the level against the end of the frame wall to ensure it is level. Drive 12d nails through the bottom of the frame wall and into the floor.

How to Caulk a Rim Joist

How to Convert a Dowel Rod Ceiling Fan to Flush Mounted

General Home Repair