Recessed shelves are built into the walls of the home during construction. Instead of covering the space between studs with sheetrock, it is left uncovered. The stud width can vary according to the desired shelf size. Older Victorian era homes, often had recessed shelves, cupboards and wardrobes built, rather than having freestanding dressers, closets or storage furniture. Recessed shelves can be built with a closed back, leaving the wall on the other side intact, or they can be made open, allowing items to be passed through from one room to another.
Difficulty: Moderately ChallengingInstructionsThings You'll Need:
Stud finder
Power drill, 1/8-inch drill bit
Countersink bit
Six 1/2--inch by 6-inch walnut or maple boards cut to desired shelf length
2-inch by 6-inch by 8 feet studs
4 feet by 8 feet by ¼-inch thick sheetrock
Box of sheetrock screws
Box of 3-inch wood screws
Box of L-shaped wall mounts with brass wood screws
Paint in your choice of colors
Clear acrylic deck coating
Coarse, medium, fine and extra fine sandpaper
Sanding blocks or belt sander
Plumb bob
Chalk line
Carpenter's level
3-inch long wood screws
Joint compound
Drywall tape
Step 1Decide how many shelves will be needed, and how deep you want them. Adjust the width of the studs used to make the inside wall to the desired depth of the shelves. For example, if you want 12-inch deep shelves, your studs will need to be 2 inches by 12 inches. Decide whether you want to cover an entire wall with shelves or just have a few. If any of the shelves will be lit, in order to use them to display items, the lighting can be installed in soffits above the shelves, during construction.

Step 2Use a stud finder to locate a ceiling joist close to where you would like to build your recessed shelves. Cut a top and bottom rail whose length is the desired finished width of your shelf unit. For example, if you want 36-inch long shelves, you will need to cut a 36-inch long top and bottom rail. Align the top rail so that it is centered on the ceiling joist.

Step 3Screw the top rail into place using 3-inch wood screws. Hang a plumb bob from the center point of each end of the top rail to locate the correct position for each end of the bottom rail. Snap a chalk line between the two points. Center the bottom rail along the chalk line and screw it into place using 3-inch wood screws. Cut a stud to the correct height and screw it to the ends of the top and bottom rails to complete the frame.

Step 4Cover the portion of the frame which will not have shelves with a ½-inch of sheetrock on both sides of the wall. Create a soffit at the top of the shelf wall to install track lighting, if desired. Tape all seams and apply joint compound where needed. Sand joined seams and paint drywall as desired.

Step 5Cut shelves to the desired length. For example, if your frame is 36 inches wide, you can make three sets of 11-inch shelves, separated by two 1 ½-inch wide studs, two sets of 17-inch shelves, separated by one 2-inch wide stud, or you can make one set of 36-inch shelves.

Step 6Sand shelves using coarse, medium, fine and extra fine sandpaper. Finish with clear acrylic deck coating or your desired varnish, lacquer or shellac. Attach shelves between the wall and the side stud of the frame using l-shaped wall mounts and brass wood screws. Use four wall mounts per shelf for best results.