Pantry Storage Built Into Wall Studs

We bought a tri-level home that was built in 1974 and I have been desperate for pantry storage. I had this idea that I could take a blank wall, that I hated, and turn it into something cute and functional. I had this idea in my head that I could hide the storage by making it look like art somehow. I wasn't sure how I was going to achieve that when I started. In fact most of the way through this I thought I would have to paint the cabinet doors. I could not find any ideas online at all. This was a real "trust the process" project ... even though I was making up the process as I went. I had to trust my own creativity and skills.

Drywall saw, miter saw, 2x4 boards, 1x4 boards, 1x2 trim board, paint, shelf liner, mod podge, canvas print, cabinet doors, hinges, drill, screws, mallet, brad nailer, and brad nails. I will explain the uses in the steps, lots of these supplies can be changed to what you have on hand.

The unavoidable first step, cut the hole. At this point I did not have a clear idea of how this would look finished, but I knew we needed the storage. I had an idea that I could use cheap, Ikea cabinet door fronts that I found in their as is section for $8 each. After cutting one opening I realized that I could make the doors work and I cut the second opening on the left side. I knew there was electrical behind that side so I proceeded with caution. After the holes were cut, I cut 2x4s to frame the opening. I made sure the 2x4s were a really tight fit so that I could mallet them into position and then use long wood screws to secure them to the studs at an angle. On the bottom left I made the frame by connecting three boards that I could secure in around the electrical. After this was complete, I felt that I needed a bit more structural support, so I added 2x4s horizontally across, over the electrical box. You'll see the position in the next step.

I started by attaching the hinges to the Ikea doors and marking where they would attach to the studs. I needed an extra pair of hands for this. My husband helped hold the doors while I marked, I found that easier than trying to measure between the hinges spaces. I made sure the doors would open and close and adjusted the hinges accordingly. I didn't want to make it any more shallow by adding a backing board, so I put contact paper directly on the drywall. I had this contact paper left over from a previous project.

I measured the frame with a 1/4" gap around all sides. I attached the corners with brad nails and put on some painters tape to make sure it held it's shape. I slid the frame over some spacers that were taped to the doors. I used the brad nailer to secure the frame around the doors.

This part was kind of crazy. I sat and looked at these doors day after day trying to figure out what they should look like. I had found the wall paper for the wall, but could not grasp a concept for the doors themselves. I tried different patterns in painters tape, I drew on the doors, and I sat back and stared at them knowing that none of this was right. I kept scouring the internet for ideas and could not get motivated. With the frame this opening is 52' x 44", a pretty substantial size, I wanted it to look good.

While I waited for creative inspiration, I added some simple shelves and door magnets. I screwed small wood blocks into the studs and attached the shelves with brad nails through the top.

I was so stuck on the artwork for the cabinets and I decided to walk through Ikea for inspiration. I was in the art section and saw this rolled canvas hanging on display. I knew immediately that was it! I took it home and started figuring out how to attach it. I checked the internet for some tips, but couldn't find anyone who had attached a canvas to kitchen cabinets. So I decided that I was going with Mod Podge. I started by stretching the canvas over the opening and pinning it in place. I lowered the top half and added glue to the doors and then smoothed it back up and pinned it again. This was not easy and quite messy, but it worked! I repeated this on the bottom half, I unpinned lifted up and added glue to the doors. Even more messy than the top. The glue took longer to dry behind the canvas than I expected. It was a few days before I took the next step. I took my sharpest blade and cut carefully around the doors. I made sure I was inside the gaps all the way around. I removed the doors, laid them out and added a top coat of the Mod Podge. I went back to glue the frame with the same technique as the doors. I would take out the pins and pull back one side, add glue, smooth out and put the pins back in. I focused on the front and left the sides without glue because I thought they would be easier to glue down after cutting off the excess. So after the fronts were dry I trimmed them and glued down the sides. When they were dry I did a top coat of Mod Podge. I trimmed the doors with a sharp blade and got a really clean edge.

After I put up my wallpaper, I found myself bothered by the white gaps I could see around the painting. I took the paint that I had used for the shelves and added some acrylic paint to make a pallet that blended with the canvas. I went around all the corners and dabbed on paint to make the transitions less noticeable. I'm really happy with how this turned out. I did it around the doors and around the inside of the frame. Now from all angles it looks like a solid piece instead of seeing all the white. The white really killed the illusion. I found thin black handles that blend into the dark rocks in the picture. I love this detail, they really seem hidden.

The only thing I had left was to cover the opening around the outlet box. I wanted something simple and easy to remove. So I grabbed a thick carboard sheet (a cover of a construction paper set) and some removable vinyl. I cut the cardboard to cover the hole and set it on some white vinyl. I tucked it into place and trimmed the edges with a sharp blade. A very simple solution and the project was complete!

I absolutely love how this turned out!

I hope that this Instructable inspires you to try something that you've never seen done before and trust your own creativity.