Introduction
While you can add a shelving unit to any room, nothing looks quite as nice as a shelving unit that's built into a wall. By removing drywall, and anchoring to existing wall studs, you can build a shelf that provides needed storage space, without taking up additional floor space.

Locating the Wall Studs
Before you can cut out the wall board in between the studs, you have to figure out where the studs themselves are. An electronic stud finder is a great tool to use, but it's not always perfect. Here's another method you can use to double-check your stud locations: Drive a nail into the drywall at the location where you think the edge of the stud is. Remove the nail, and move left or right, a quarter inch at a time, until you've found the edge of the stud. Once you've located the actual edges of the studs, draw vertical lines on the wall to mark them. This way, you'll know where to cut when removing wall board later.

Cut an Inspection Hole
Before removing each section of wall board entirely, it's a good idea to cut an inspection hole. This way, you'll be able to check for problems, such as pipes or wires inside the wall. To cut an inspection hole: Mark a square roughly in the middle of the section of wall board to be removed. This square should be large enough to reach your hand inside the wall so you can feel around for potential obstacles. Use a drywall saw to cut the square. When cutting, tilt the saw outward from the hole at a 45 degree angle. This will prevent the piece from falling inside the wall once you complete your cut. It will also allow you to use it as an easy patch if you find problems inside the wall. Once you have cut the hole, reach inside the wall and feel around for wires and pipes. If you find simple electrical wiring (to an outlet, for instance), you may be able to move the outlet and wiring to another section of the wall so that it's not in the way. Plumbing may present a more difficult challenge. If you find plumbing, you may want to consider using a different section of wall. Alternatively, you might consider using problematic wall sections for other purposes, like bulletin boards. Repeat this process for each section of wall you plan to use.

Removing Wall Board
A wall board saw is the best tool for removing the wall board in between the studs. You may be inclined to use power tools here, but this can result in damage to studs or other things inside the wall. Be careful to avoid cutting into pipes or electrical wires when removing sections of wall board. In fact, it can be a good idea to turn off power when working inside the wall near electrical wiring.

Moving an Electrical Outlet
If you find wiring for an electrical outlet or switch is in the way, you may be able to move it. The basic process is as follows: Disconnect power to the outlet at your breaker or fuse box. Disconnect the electrical wiring from the outlet. Remove the outlet. Re-route the wire into a different section of the wall. Re-install the outlet at the new location and reconnect the wiring. Always remember to follow proper safety practices when working with electricity!

Planning the Shelves
Design your shelving units. Plan for each unit to have a top, bottom, two sides, a back, and several shelves. It's a good idea to plan this out on paper or with computer software.

Cutting Shelf Components
For most shelf designs, all of the pieces, except the back, will be the same width. You can easily rip multiple pieces to the same width quickly using a table saw. Once that's complete, measure and cut the pieces to length with a miter saw.

Assembling the Shelf
Determine the placement for the shelves and mark their heights. Once that's done, draw placement lines across all side pieces of the shelf at once. Use wood glue to attach the shelves, sides, top and bottom together. Hold them temporarily in place with clamps. Then drive in nails. Cut a piece of quarter-inch plywood for the back of the shelf, and attach it with wood glue. Use nails to permanently secure the back.

Attaching the Shelf to the Wall
Set the completed shelf into the wall. Clamp it to the wall stud, making sure that the front of the shelf is flush with the front of the wall board. Drill pilot holes, counter-sink them, and then drive in screws, attaching the side of the shelf to the stud. Note: You may need to use shims to keep the unit level and plumb.

Creating a Frame
For a decorative finish in a child's room or a craft room, you might want to add a frame with curved borders. To do this: Attach paper around the shelf, making sure it overlaps the edges of the shelf. Draw a design on the paper. Take down the paper. Temporarily attach (using a few finish nails from a nail gun) sections of quarter-inch plywood where the frame will finally be located. Use spray adhesive to attach the paper to the plywood. Ensure everything is aligned properly. Trim off the excess paper with a razor blade. Take down the plywood. Use a jigsaw to cut the frame into the proper shape, using the paper design as a template. Remove the paper from the completed frame.

Attaching the Frame
Use panel adhesive to attach the sections of the wood frame to the wall. Once the sections are in place, use a nail gun to attach the frame to the edge of the shelving unit.

Adding Trim
For sections around bulletin boards, or between multiple shelving units, you should attach trim. Simply cut to size, and nail it in place.