Installing recessed shelving is one of the easiest built-in projects. This project consists of a shallow wooden box that is inserted in a wall cutout and framed with hardwood. Recessed shelves can be installed in almost any interior wall, except in areas where electrical wires or plumbing pipes are located.
The project as shown is 30" wide — the width of two stud cavities in a standard wall built with studs spaced 16" on-center. To duplicate these shelves, you will need to cut away one wall stud and install a sill and header. Never cut away more than one stud when building recessed shelving. You may, however, build a narrower cabinet by building the shelves into a single stud cavity between adjacent studs.