DIY How to: Building an in-wall niche between the studs

*Click image for larger view*

So the wife wanted some extra storage and a new mirror in her bathroom so this is what I made up for her.

I started out by using a stud finder with an electrical finder on it also to see what I was working with. After I located the studs and had a pretty good idea of where my electrical was I made a small(ish) hole with a hammer and took some pics with my cell phone to get a better view. After I learned there was nothing back there I started make a bigger hole. I Lightly marked on the wall where I wanted my cabinet top be and took a hammer and knocked out the drywall inside the cut area, then cut the rest out with a drywall hand saw.

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Then I built the cabinet and added some adjustment holes for the shelves.

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Then I framed it out

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Then test fitted the mirror with the piano hing attached

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Then removed the mirror again and painted everything including the mirror because we couldnt find a white one my wife like so we got the one she liked and I just painted it.

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And completed

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Couple more pics

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Excellent work. I'll be doing that in my bathroom soon to get a larger mirror/medicine cabinet. Any particular challenges you ran into?

Thanks Stu, nope this is a pretty straight forward project. Make it as big as you can.

Well done spleify. Looks great, better than most pros.

Job well done.

Does your wife like it?

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Originally Posted by Irving

Does your wife like it?

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She loves it. I wish I could have made the cabinet bigger but I was restricted by electrical wires on the bottom and a brace on the top.

Looks good. You should have cut into that electrical and converted to a heated towel rack for her while you were at it. [mlp]

Good work Leif. That looks great!

Thx for the excellent write up! Want to built something like that to hide stuff around the house.

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Originally Posted by kwando

Thx for the excellent write up! Want to built something like that to hide stuff around the house.

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Like compacts, eyeliner, and tooth brushes?

Looks good.

Thanks for the kind words folks. It was a fun little project

Nice job, maestro!

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Originally Posted by Irving

Like compacts, eyeliner, and tooth brushes?

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Don't judge!

You just put that in there so you could flex down when get out of the shower! Haha!

Nice work, and great idea

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Originally Posted by Tinelement

You just put that in there so you could flex down when get out of the shower! Haha!

Nice work, and great idea

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Dude,...you've seen me..I dont even want to look at my self naked in the mirror, I actually hang a towel over the mirror so when I get out of the shower I dont have to see myself naked.........

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Originally Posted by spleify

Dude,...you've seen me..I dont even want to look at my self naked in the mirror, I actually hang a towel over the mirror so when I get out of the shower I dont have to see myself naked.........

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I wish my ex would have been this self-conscious.

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Originally Posted by kwando

Thx for the excellent write up! Want to built something like that to hide stuff around the house.

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THAT! is awesome!

And +1 for the idea of hiding stuff around the house. There is going to be mirrors everywhere in my house now!

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

THAT! is awesome!

And +1 for the idea of hiding stuff around the house. There is going to be mirrors everywhere in my house now!

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Doesnt even have to be covered with a mirror. Would work the same with a picture or other decorative art or some sort also.

That's good looking work, man!

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There, Fixed it for ya.

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Originally Posted by SuperiorDG

I wish my ex would have been this self-conscious.

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Aaannndd Pepsi through the nose!
Thanks buddy!

Now do one in the hall that will hold a rifle or shotgun for quick access when the S hits the F (assuming no crumb crunchers runnin' round your place ... of course you could maybe put some sort of magnetic lock on it then)

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Originally Posted by Zundfolge

Now do one in the hall that will hold a rifle or shotgun for quick access when the S hits the F (assuming no crumb crunchers runnin' round your place ... of course you could maybe put some sort of magnetic lock on it then)

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..ok...[Awesom]

I've seen this sort of thing done as a pantry as well. It's about the right depth for your average canned goods.

Nice work!! Looks legit!

Please do not let my wife see this...oh snap, i opened my trap...

wow, awesome work! I think I need to do something like this in the main level bathroom.

Nice job and great idea, thanks.

Very nice!

I'll be doing this in my bathroom for the towel racks. I'm going to pull off the tile, tear out the drywall, and put the towel racks in the wall like this to provide more room in the bathroom.
I may also do this around the cabinet, so the interior of the cabinet is the same, but it doesn't stick out of the wall quite as much.

Post pics up of you project Stu!!

How do I tell if a wall is load bearing? I have access to the attic above it, so I imagine I can just crawl up there and see. What specifically am I looking for?

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Originally Posted by Irving

I'll be doing this in my bathroom for the towel racks. I'm going to pull off the tile, tear out the drywall, and put the towel racks in the wall like this to provide more room in the bathroom.
I may also do this around the cabinet, so the interior of the cabinet is the same, but it doesn't stick out of the wall quite as much.

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I've seen this with a cot rack, where one of the hangers will rotate to release the opening.