Hidden Nook Project

I built this nook under my stairs using an area I didn't know existed! The nook is basically a large crawl space box for storage, so this is my box challenge entry!

Funny thing is, I didn't even plan for this project and it just sort of happened.

Here's the story: This nook is in the corner of a small storage room and I only go in there a couple times a year to pull out holiday swag. Well, I'm at the point where the storage room has reached swag capacity, so I needed to change the shelves to better store all of my junk.

The opening to the nook is actually on the end of another nook. It's a double nook folks!! I have a U-shaped staircase leading upstairs and the ceiling of the first nook space leading to the opening of the new nook is covering the staircase.

So there's the wall in the first nook area. I cut out a small hole to take a peek with a flashlight.

YES!! Open space!

This is the start of the nook project!

**I know it goes without being said, but if you're not competent in this area of DIY, always consult a professional.**

Wall removal supplies

-Mask

-Eye protection

-Gloves

-Crowbar

-Drywall saw

-Jigsaw

-Shop vac

-Demo bags (trash bags for construction)

The nook area is under the staircase landing and stairs. I removed the stud and added a redwood header.

A header is a beam over an opening that disperses the structural load to the outside of an opening to keep structural integrity. If a header is needed depends on the wall, the opening and the amount of load above the wall.

Header Supplies

-Lumber for the header (size depends on load)

-Lumber for the jack studs

-Screws

-Power drill

-Rubber Mallet

The nook area was just subfloor, so I added an underlayment to match the storage room to make the rooms level and also cover the gaps around the pipe. Installing plywood underlayment over a subfloor is fairly straightforward. The subfloor needs to be in good condition and you need to keep 1/8 inch between the underlayment and wall.

Underlayment supplies

-Plywood approved for underlayment

-Screws

-Power drill

*Most flooring underlayment is installed floating on top of your subfloor. Installers usually lay the underlayment on the floor and start installing flooring on top, so sometimes there is no fastening the underlayment to the subfloor.

*For the nook, the underlayment is the middle layer of the floor. I fastened it directly on top of the subfloor to provide a smooth, level surface. I used screws every 6 inches. Staples are popular too.

There was an outlet in the middle of the wall in the first nook area, so the light was an easy add.

The drywall work though!

I live in Japan and drywall work is a nightmare! The biggest problem is that it can't be thrown away and even trash centers/dumps won't accept it. It's like this with all construction material over here. You need to find a company that specializes in construction waste processing and these places are expensive and shady. The ones in my area are just normal houses in neighborhoods! The waste is just stored on the land or in nearby fields. I'm not hating on Japan, but I've been building here for 10+ years and it bothers me a lot!

The drywall work was a tad tricky, because I had a tough time getting it into the nook area! Just try to picture it!

It was often too big to fit through the entrance frame. A lot of cursing!

Drywall supplies

-Drywall

-Drywall saw

-Drywall rasp

-Drywall screws

*I covered the bare drywall corners with L-beads.

Japan is extremely hot and humid in the summer, so I added room-to-room air vents. I also mounted an exhaust fan in the storage room.

I'm not going to lie...I have no idea if these will work. If the window in the storage room is open, I can feel air moving through, so I'm hopeful.

For the vents, I attached them to PVC pipes. These vents self-lock onto the pipes, but the installation is a two person job. Someone needs to push back on the other side of the wall.

Vent supplies

-PVC pipe

-Vents

-Drywall saw

I cut thin pieces of plywood to cover the backs of the stairs. I countersunk the screws just enough to fill with paintable wood filler.

Sanding was incredibly messy in such a small space!

I was considering just leaving them alone and still think they'd look cool that way. What do you think?

Just the normal taping of drywall seams, caulking of wood seams and painting.

Supplies

-Drywall paper joint tape

-Joint compound

-Tape knife

-Paintable caulk

-Paint

*I had my first ever experience with expired caulk! I knew that caulk could go bad, but have never seen or heard about it going bad. I buy my caulk by the box and had a tube that was 5 years old. I didn't even check! It applied like normal, but didn't dry properly. I needed to scrape it all out.

This paint is called: cloudy grey.

I needed to go back and sand down some areas, especially on the ceiling. I skim coated the storage room and sanded it with a coarse sanding sponge to give it a concrete look. The paint accented problem spots that needed fixing.

I finished the storage room and new nook area with carpet tiles.