I'm considering adding built-in shelves along a load-bearing wall, where the shelves would be recessed into the wall instead of sticking out. Is this feasible? What should I keep in mind regarding structural integrity?
3 Answers
As long as you don't cut into the studs, you're generally fine to add built-in shelves. Just keep the structural integrity in mind. And yes, it's definitely a more involved project than it might seem at first!
Just a heads up, if you're thinking of cutting into studs on a load-bearing wall, that could be risky. You can make built-ins that are structural, but you'd really want to talk to an engineer first. Sometimes, all that effort only gives you a couple of extra inches of depth.
You can definitely add a shelf to a load-bearing wall without compromising its load-bearing ability. But if you're cutting into the wall to make shelves, you need to support the weight properly. It's not a quick or cheap fix, unfortunately, as you'll likely need to install a beam along the length of the cut to handle the stress. Always a good idea to check with a professional!