How to Turn a Nook into a Functional Display Case

Do you ever wonder why your home is built the way it is? Why is there a certain nook here and not there?  Well, I have this little nook right off my office and I always wondered why they didn’t build that wall out or put it to good use? So I decided to do it myself. Turn that awkward nook in a cute functional space by framing it out and adding shelves, almost like a mini display/bookcase. Let me tell you, it turned out so cute, like it was always meant to be there. It is no longer an empty, awkward space  but rather a focal point upon entry into our home. This awkward nook now turned into a beautiful and functional display case provides an opportunity to display some of my favorite decor items and extra storage. When you are a family of five living in a 1600 sq ft home, extra storage is always a win.

BEFORE of the Nook

AFTER  of the Nook

Tools and Materials to build this display nook:

Tools Needed for Display Nook:

Brad Nail Gun

Drill

Miter/Hand saw (optional- you can easily get your local hardware store to cut your wood for you)

Studfinder

Clamps

Caulking gun

Materials for Display Nook:

4 – 1″x4″x8′ pine boards (for frame and shelves)

2 – 1″x2″x8′ pine boards (for shelf support)

Wall anchors and screws  – 1 1/2″

1 1/2″ brad nails

Paint – I used Benjamin Moore, Wrought Iron

Paint Brush

Stain – Minwax Early American

Liquid Nail

Paintable Caulk

How to Turn Your Awkward Nook into a Functional Display Case

How to build the Frame for the Display Case

1. Measure the dimensions of the nook so you can get your local hardware store to cut your wood if you do not have a miter or hand saw.
2. Using 1′”x4″x8′ pine boards, I framed the top and the 2 sides of the nook. I used the full length of the boards for the two sides and cut one board to the width of my nook using my miter saw. (Again, you can get your local hardware store to make all your cuts)
3. Using wood glue, I glued and nailed (with my brad nailer) the pieces together and let it dried fully.
4. With a stud finder, I tried to locate and mark the studs on the wall and joist on the ceiling. If there are studs/joist, then you can screw the frame directly onto the studs and skip to step 8.
5. If there are no studs like in my case, I held up the frame that I made to the wall (you may need someone to help you hold it in place). Using my drill and drill bit, I created pilot holes though the frame and into the wall. This way I would know exactly where the anchors would need to be to support the structure.
6. I then placed the frame to the side and added the anchors to the pilot holes on the wall.
7. I then screwed the frames into the wall, making sure the screws lined up with the anchors on the wall. We need to make sure we have proper support.
8. The frame on the outside wall is however, not attached to anything. It has no wall to secure to so I added a bead of liquid nail along the pine board. Using my body weight, I leaned on it so it would adhere to the wall.

Support Slats

1. Once the liquid nail was dried, I started installing the support slats for the shelves. To do so, I used the stud finder to locate and mark all the studs on the middle wall where the shelves were going to be.
2. The support slats (1″x2″ pine) were pre-cut using my miter saw. I just screwed each slat into the studs, with a 16 3/4″ spacing. This way the shelves would be 16″ apart.
3. I nailed the frame on the outside wall into the support slats for extra support.

Extending the frame for the Display Case

Since my ceiling is 9.5′ and the pine boards I used were 8′ long, I needed to extend the frame and add a bottom shelf. I decided to extend the display case to the top of my baseboards. This way, I didn’t have to remove and alter the original baseboards.

1. Essentially I repeated steps 1-3 under Frame to create the extension piece using measurements that would allow the display case to reach the top of my baseboards.
2. I held the lower frame to the existing frame and drilled a pilot hole through the right frame into the wall.
3. I added an anchor to the hole on the wall.
4. Using wood glue, I glued the smaller frame to the existing frame and clamped it in place until it fully dried.
5. To attach the outside frame and bottom shelf to the wall, I also added a bead of liquid nail along the boards
6. I screwed the right frame into the wall making sure it lined up with the anchor and then pushed the entire frame into the wall until it liquid nail dried.
7. Once the frame is done, it is time to caulked along all the edges, where the frame meets the wall so you get a finished, professional look.
8. I painted everything using Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron to match the accent wall in my office.

Shelves for the Display Case

1. To create the shelves, I measured the width of each shelf and then cut 1″x4″ boards to size using my miter saw.
2. I sanded each shelf with 220 grit sandpaper to make sure it was nice and smooth.
3. I applied wood conditioner to the shelves.
4. Once the shelves were dried, using an old cloth, I rubbed 2 coats of my Early American stain on to the shelves, letting it dry fully in between coats. I also gave it a light sand (220 grit) in between coats.
5. Once the shelves were dried, I applied wood glue to the top of the support slat and then placed the shelves on top of it. Using my brad nailer, I nailed the shelves into the support slat.
6. Once the glue was dry, it was time for styling.

What once was an unplanned and wasted nook is now a cute functional display case for our home. I love being able to add some of my favorite decor items and change it up for the season/holiday. It is also extra storage so I can store some of my kids books, coffee table books that guests can grab on the way in or drop off mail in the mail holder. The options are endless. Let me know what you think in the comments below. If you are looking for more beginner DIYs with minimal tools required, check out this slat wall that I used as a plant wall.