I am absolutely obsessed with our new recessed shelves! Here's how we made them:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_9eac286281664e458b0cee008a791ad0~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_9eac286281664e458b0cee008a791ad0~mv2.jpeg)
Our bathroom really needed an upgrade. The entire room was bright yellow (including the ceiling) an unused medicine cabinet sat next to a giant mirror and very outdated vanity.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_adbfb51de5fa4455af37f64f18cf7cb1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_92,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_adbfb51de5fa4455af37f64f18cf7cb1~mv2.jpg)
We removed the medicine cabinet and measured the area. We cut plywood to create a box that would fill the space.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_67a521e26ae146d2ad1704125a3ef30a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_67a521e26ae146d2ad1704125a3ef30a~mv2.jpg)
To build the shelves use a pilot hole then screw in all four sides. I used a staple gun for the thinner back pieces.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_fbc6836715e14a27a3f934cf01e57e05~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_fbc6836715e14a27a3f934cf01e57e05~mv2.jpg)
I gave the shelves a light sanding then painted it using white paint and primer.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_64b09d1b0aac4f8c85f60a478ff5732f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_64b09d1b0aac4f8c85f60a478ff5732f~mv2.jpg)
Next, I took the pieces of wood that would be used for the shelves and stained them with a dark walnut. I then screwed in the two shelves on the sides of the box.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_89e489d053104f0e96cb53967e5195c6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_195,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_89e489d053104f0e96cb53967e5195c6~mv2.jpg)
We placed the shelf into the space that used to be the medicine cabinet. We leveled the shelf using shims and countersunk the screws that fastened the shelf to the wall.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_b78bfb83527b402e99ca816fd9133ec9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_81,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_b78bfb83527b402e99ca816fd9133ec9~mv2.jpg)
Now we had a decision to make. We could add a border around the shelf to hide the holes, or we could patch up the wall and give it a clean finish
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_3a207aeed2a3422aaa68593a05548cd5~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_87,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_3a207aeed2a3422aaa68593a05548cd5~mv2.png)
We decided to patch up the wall
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_c17194cce5634e21923fd37d9966935a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_83,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_c17194cce5634e21923fd37d9966935a~mv2.jpg)
After the putty dried we added texture then paint!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_6c9cc2cd830f41acadbc51031cf770c4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_6c9cc2cd830f41acadbc51031cf770c4~mv2.jpg)
We love our shelf! It was a perfect addition to a fun bathroom remodel!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/691130_cabf9a5124b64f07bedec275df002661~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_24,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/691130_cabf9a5124b64f07bedec275df002661~mv2.png)
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