Simple Bathroom DIY Recessed Shelf in a Wall

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May 8, 2024

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to enhance your bathroom’s functionality and aesthetic appeal with a DIY recessed shelf in a wall.

If you’re looking for smart ways to optimize space and elevate your bathroom decor, you’re in the right place.

Join us as we walk you through the process of creating a chic and practical storage solution that seamlessly blends into your bathroom design.

From determining the ideal location to selecting the perfect dimensions, we’ll cover everything you need to know to bring this project to life.

Get ready to transform your bathroom with this simple DIY tutorial!

It’s week 6 of the of the One Room Challenge!

We’re coming to the homestretch of this challenge and we’re excited to share our progress this week in our bathroom renovation!

As a reminder you can easily navigate through each week of this master bathroom renovation by clicking on the links below.

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3  | Week 4  | Week 5 | Week 6 you’re here  | Week 7 | Week 8

ONE ROOM CHALLENGE LOGO | GUEST PARTICIPANT

This Weeks Renovation Progress

This week the bathroom is really starting to take shape!

Not only were we able to install the vanity, but we also installed the floor, the baseboards, crown moulding and recessed shelf in a wall.

We planned to share our flooring this week, but I wasn’t happy with the transition pieces.

I’ve now purchased different transition pieces, but we haven’t had a chance to install them yet.

So we’ll share the floor with you next week, once it’s completely finished.

Let’s take a quick peek at what we still need to complete to finish this master bathroom renovation.

Bathroom Remodel To Do List

  • demo bathroom
  • move closet wall
  • rough in plumbing and electrical
  • change swing of door
  • repair walls and ceiling
  • install shiplap ceiling, paint
  • paint doors
  • install shower pan
  • paint walls
  • install vanity
  • prime and paint baseboards
  • install crown moulding
  • install cement backer board
  • install shower niche
  • waterproof shower
  • tiling & grout
  • install waterproof luxury vinyl plank floors
  • install flooring transition pieces
  • install soaker tub
  • install plumbing fixtures
  • install toilet
  • shower enclosure
  • recessed shelves
  • install lighting
  • mirrors
  • curtains
  • towel hooks
  • art and decor

It’s now starting to feel like we will complete this project on time!

Yippee!!!

Materials and Tools to Build a Recessed Shelf

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How to Build a Recessed Shelf in a Wall

Building a recessed shelf in a wall is pretty straightforward and can significantly enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of your space.

But if you don’t want to build the actual shelves, you can install ready made recessed shelves.

While we are installing this recessed shelf in our bathroom, this project can be used really in any room in your home.

We installed similar shelves for our hair stylist and added a ton of storage in her home.

Once we installed one, she wanted recessed shelves on every available wall in her salon as well as the bathroom.

Locate Studs in Wall

To begin, carefully select the location for your shelf, locate the studs in your wall and look for the best place for the shelf.

A stud finder is a helpful tool when selecting the right place for your recessed shelves.

Many stud finders will also alert you if there is wiring in the wall.

You’ll want to ensure it’s between studs and free from electrical wiring or plumbing.

In our case the drywall came down when we removed the tile in our demolition phase, so our wall was wide open and easy to make a plan for the location of our recessed shelves.

Once you’ve identified the spot, mark the area and first cut a small opening in the drywall and make sure you’re free from pipes or wiring.

We located our bathroom recessed shelves above the toilet for extra storage and a little decor, but another great location would be on a side wall by the vanity.

Cut Hole in Drywall For Recessed Shelf in a Wall

Cut out in drywall for the recessed shelves.

Before you begin to cut out your drywall for your recessed shelves, determine how tall you want your shelves to be.

Now you have your location for your recessed shelf in your wall, mark out your dimensions on the wall, then cut back the drywall to the edge of the 2×4 on each side and to your desired length.

Cut Shelf Pieces

Now that you have your opening and know the dimensions you’d like to build your recessed shelf in your wall, you can cut your wood to size.

For example, our wall is the depth of two 2x4s, so we will make our recessed shelf 7″ deep.

The outside dimensions of our shelf will be 23.5 x 36.5.

Woman holding a circular saw with a ripcut guide to cut down all of the wood to 7" wide for the recessed shelf in a wall.

First rip down your wood to the depth you plan to build your shelves.

The Kreg Rip-cut makes this job so easy.

We used 3/4″ MDF to build our recessed shelves, but you can also use 3/4″ plywood.

To construct our shelves we cut our wood as follows using our miter saw:

  • cut 2 7″x36.5″ for the two shelf sides
  • cut 2 7″x22″ for the top and bottom of the recessed shelf
  • cut 2 7″x22.75″ for the two shelves
  • cut 36.6 x 23.5 shiplap panel for backing (make sure to center the pattern to your dimensions)
Woman's hands on a mitre saw cutting down wood for the recessed shelf in a wall.

Our recessed shelf is built using a router and making a groove to accept our two shelf pieces.

But an alternative way to build these shelves would be to assemble them using a pocket hole jig.

That’s the method we used when constructing the shelves for Gavin’s closet organizer.

Both methods will create a strong and well built shelf.

However, you will need to fill in the pocket holes with a plug.

We have used the router method to contruct the built-in entertainment center, the reading nook, the built-ins in Steve’s office and the built-in bookshelves around my fireplace.

Assemble Recessed Shelf

Before we begin to assemble our shelves, we placed our two side pieces side by side and marked the placement for our shelves.

Our shelves are spaced about 11″ apart.

Then we clamped a straight edge to the wood and work table.

Woman guiding a router along the two side pieces for the bathroom recessed shelf in a wall.

Next we placed a 3/4″ straight cut router bit in our router, adjusting the depth of the bit to 3/8″.

Turn on the router and let it get up to speed before placing it against your wood.

Guided it along the straight edge, cutting a 3/4″ groove into the side pieces of your recessed shelves.

Routed groove in the side pieces for the recessed shelf in a wall.

Repeat for the second shelf.

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Pinterest Image: How to Build Simple a Recessed Shelf in a Wall Between the Studs. Decorated bathroom wall niche with green glass vase, basket with toilet paper, black towels, potted plant, gold framed photograph, finial, and book stack.
Woman sands edges of recessed shelf.

Sand the shelf pieces, taking a little more off the edges that will fit into the groove.

Place one of the side pieces on a work table or floor and place wood glue along the groove.

Recessed shelves are attached together with wood glue and a brad finish nailer.

Then place the two shelves into the groove and insert a couple of brads through the side piece into the shelf.

Repeat with the other side piece.

TIP: Draw a line on the area you’ll be placing the brad nails. This will ensure you don’t miss your shelf.

Place wood glue on the ends of the bottom section of your recessed shelf.

Fit into position and insert a few brad nails on each side.

Repeat for the top piece.

Build recessed shelf before backing is attached.

The recessed shelves should look something like this now.

Woman attaches shiplap backing to shelves with an 18 guage brad nailer.

To finish off your recessed shelf box, place the shiplap panel on the back of the shelf and place brad nails in each corner and a few on each side and along the shelves.

Install Recessed Shelf in Wall

Place the recessed shelf box into the opening in your wall between the studs.

If you do not have a board along the bottom of your opening you’ll need to hold it into position as you level it up with shims.

DIY shelf placed in wall with shims placed on the sides to level up the shelf before it is secured to the studs with nails.

We’ve built many recessed shelves without a support board along the bottom.

It will take another person to hold it as you shim and level it, and then secure it to the 2×4 boards on each side with 2″ brad nails.

An oscillating tool is used to cut off the excess wood shims when installing the recessed shelves in a bathroom wall.

Once the shelf is secured into place, cut off the excess shims with an oscillating tool or saw.

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Let us introduce ourselves, we’re Michelle and Steph, a mom and daughter team who love to DIY and decorate our homes.

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Attach Trim Moulding

Finally, it’s time to finish the edges with trim moulding.

This will cover the raw edges of the shelves and cover the edge of the drywall.

Measure the two pieces for the side of your recessed shelf.

It will be the length of the inside measurement of the recess shelf box.

Cut this from the 2 1/2″ trim moulding.

Secure to each side of the recessed shelf aligning the board with the inside of the shelf box.

Woman attached trim to recessed sheves with a brad nail gun.

Measure along the top of the shelf from the left to the right moulding, repeat for the bottom trim piece.

Cut each top and bottom trim piece from the 3 1/2″ trim moulding and secure with brad nails.

Finally measure and cut two 1 1/2″ trim boards to fit on the front of each shelf.

Secure with a couple of brad nails.

Paint Shelves

We are on the homestretch now!

To prepare your recessed shelves for paint, fill in the nail holes with wood filler.

Woman's applying caulk to the seams for the recessed shelf in a wall.

This one is my favorite.

Once dry sand smooth.

Then with a paintable caulk, caulk all of the seams.

Then prime and paint your recessed shelves, style and enjoy.

I used the paint sprayer to paint my recessed shelves, I believe it’s easier to get onto the grooves of the shiplap.

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Final Thoughts

Building a recessed shelf in a wall is a fantastic way to optimize your space and add character to your bathroom or any room for that matter.

Installed and decorated recessed shelf in a wall with black towel, gold photo frame, potted plant, book stack, black finial, green glass vase, basket with extra toilet paper.

By following these simple steps you too can enjoy recessed shelves in your home.

Installed and decorated recessed shelf in a wall with black towel, gold photo frame, potted plant, book stack, black finial, green glass vase, basket with extra toilet paper.

Whether you’re aiming for a modern, farmhouse, or craftsman-inspired design, a recessed shelf provides a stylish solution for storing essentials while keeping your bathroom organized and clutter-free.

Is this a project you’d like to try in your home?

We are loving the charm of these recessed shelves in the bathroom.

I’m so excited to see this bathroom coming together!

Don’t forget to check out the many other room transformations taking place on the One Room Challenge blog this season.

I believe you’ll be inspired with countless design styles and creative ideas.

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Let’s stay connected! Join our DIY community of doers and you won’t miss the weekly updates on our One Room Challenge and more inspiration for you always on a budget.

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Pinterest Image: How to Build Simple a Recessed Shelf in a Wall Between the Studs. Decorated bathroom wall niche with green glass vase, basket with toilet paper, black towels, potted plant, gold framed photograph, finial, and book stack.

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This blog’s content is for entertainment purposes only and is not professional advice. By reading this blog and attempting to recreate a project, you assume all responsibility for any injuries or damages incurred. Read my full disclaimer here.

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