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Lackluster Living Room: Wall Niche Lackluster Living Room: Wall Niche From "DIY to the Rescue" episode DTTR-407F

Figure A

The Rockwell's had already cut a hole in the wall (figure A) to create a place for their TV, so we took the measurements of the TV and DVD player and built a box to match using plywood covered in primer. The couple planned to paint the box later.

Materials:

4' x 8' x 3/4" sheets of cabinet grade birch plywood
Pre-glued edge banding for plywood
2" x 4" x 8' wood studs
Framing nails
1" x 10" x 8' paint grade wood pine
Builder shims
8' length of 3/4 quarter round
3-1/2" Colonial stock window casing
Finish nails
One plastic electrical box
Duplex outlet
Plastic duplex outlet cover plate
Plastic cable box
100 lineal feet of 12/2 electrical wire
100 lineal feet of RG6 quad shield cable
Latex paintable caulk
Premixed drywall spackle
3-1/4" colonial baseboard, paint grade
Wood glue
Trim paint
Tape measure
Stud sensor
Hammer #10D finish nails
Adhesive caulk
Nail set
Drywall saw or keyhole saw
Level
Flat bar
Drill
Handsaw or reciprocating saw with metal blade and wood blade
Safety glasses
Tarp for dust control

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	Figure B
	Figure C

1. Measure the area that you will be cutting for the niche. Most niches are 28' to 32' from the floor and positioned between wall studs.

2. Position the level on the mark, then draw a level line.

3. Turn the niche toward the wall, place the bottom of the niche along the level line and trace around the perimeter of the niche.

4. Mark a cutting guideline 3/4" inside the first mark. This will provide a lip to support the niche.

   Note: when cutting into a wall, be sure you watch out for electrical wiring or plumbing.

5. Use a keyhole or drywall saw to cut the drywall along the cutting guideline (figure B). Hold the saw at an angle to prevent the blade from going too far into the wall cavity and possibly damaging the wall on the far side.

6. Next, remove the wall cutout.

7. Before cutting the wall stud, use a flat bar to gently separate the drywall from the back side of the stud.

8. Use the reciprocating saw with a metal cutting blade to cut any drywall nails or screws from the back of the stud.

9. Then, use a wood-cutting blade to cut out the wall stud. If you remove a stud from a load-bearing wall, extra framing may be required. Check with a qualified contractor if you're not sure.

10. Check the hole to make sure the niche fits.

11. Then, mark the location of the stud on the top and bottom of the wall cutout for future reference.

12. Apply adhesive caulk around the rim on the back of the niche, then press the niche into place.

13. Use a level to make sure the niche is plumb.

14. Pre-drill holes into the wall studs at the top and bottom of the niche.

15. Carefully drive #10D finish nails into the studs to hold the niche in place. Drive the nails into the niche until the heads are approximately 1/4" above the niche. Finish driving the nails using the nail set.

16. Attach the niche shelf by pre-drilling and nailing as before.

17. Secure the trim around the niche (figure C) using a nail gun.

18. Fill all nail holes using the adhesive caulk.

19. Finally, paint as desired.