How to Cut a Hole in the Wall to Utilize the Space Under the Stairs

Slide a stud finder across the wall where you want to put a door and locate the wall studs. Mark the stud locations with a pencil. Depending upon the size of your door, mark the studs over a 4-foot-wide area.

Drill a 1/4-inch hole next to the farthest right-hand stud where you want to cut the wall. Cut the straight side of a metal clothes hanger with tin snips. Bend the last 6 inches of the hanger at one end in a 90-degree angle. Insert the bent end of the clothes hanger into the hole and twist it around counterclockwise to ensure there are no wires or other obstructions.

Cut a square 6-inch hole into the drywall with a utility knife. Pull the piece of drywall out of the wall and shine a flashlight into the opening. Look for pipes or duct work inside the opening. Most often the only thing you might see is a few electrical wires. If wires are visible, cut off the circuit breaker to the area.

Trace the outline of the door opening onto the wall, starting at the left of the farthest right-hand stud. The right edge of the opening should be flush with the stud. Use the template or instructions that come with your door for specifics on your rough opening.

Cut the drywall along the traced mark with the utility knife. Pull the cutout piece out of the wall. If you are installing a full-size door, you might find a wall stud in the middle of your opening. Most wall studs under a staircase are not load-bearing. However, it is necessary to install the left-hand stud of the opening before removing the unnecessary stud.

Measure from the bottom plate to the stringer with a tape measure. The bottom plate is the board on the floor at the bottom of the wall stud. The stringer is the framework for the stairs. Cut a 2-by-4 inch board to this measurement with a circular saw.

Place the new wall stud in between the bottom plate and stair stringer and ensure that the side of the stud is flush with the left side of the opening. Nail the board into the bottom plate and stair stringer with 16d nails and a hammer.

Cut the unnecessary stud flush with the top of the opening with a reciprocating saw while an assistant holds the center of the stud. Cut the stud where it connects to the bottom plate with the saw. Once both ends are cut, remove the stud from the opening.

Remove the bottom plate from the opening with the reciprocating saw. Cut the plate even with both sides of the opening. Pry the plate up with a pry bar and remove it from the opening.