Doesn’t everyone dive into DIY the moment they move in? haha. I didn’t want my son living with sheets for walls forever, so while moving we used the moving truck to get lumber for his DIY bedroom wall framing.

What’s funny is that we literally have no room for storing lumber until the garage is built (coming soon!), but this mama always finds a way. Both here and under my couch – woot!

While I’ve never framed a wall, I sure know a thing or two about building. Not only that but I have plenty of experience from my previous home and other woodworking adventures.

With that in mind, the first weekend we are in our new home, my son, Oscar, and I are ready to build in his room. You can see the tour of our new home “before” HERE.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

As many of you know, prep work is, by far, the most important step but also the most cumbersome. At least to me, anyways.

note: if considering doing something like this yourself, check your local code. I am not altering any loadbearing walls, so no permit is needed in my area. I am not a professional so be sure to check out all aspects before starting. It can be done DIY with the right steps.

In order to get this room reading for framing, I need to remove any trims, baseboards, switches, sockets, knobs, etc. that impede me standing up a wall built to fit. However, I could build the wall slightly smaller and shim it up, but I want this solid and would rather fuss with removing trims and such instead of squaring up later. Especially since I’m redoing the entire front of the house eventually anyway.

On the left, the doorway first entry leads to the stairs, while the other leads to the family room (aka. dungeon for the moment).

Meanwhile, the right-side bedroom view remains as-is for now while we build. My garage shelves are tucked in here until I have the garage to put them in. ahem.

As you can see in my video below, the doorway to the family room will be a slight challenge with the concrete slab transition being a slope. This was the same thing in my old home where, like here, a porch was made into a living space.

I got this.

Then, after removing trim and panels, I can see the electrical and where power comes in. I’m tackling that after I get a few other things done first.

Check out the old wallpaper bits – beige and stripes.

Have you ever found old wallpaper in your home?

BUILD IT UP

Next, I begin measuring the span on both walls I’m framing in. While I’m not a professional, I do know you measure where you want the base plate and use a chalk line to mark. Then, you find the same measurement up top and mark.

Just as in the good ol’ days, I use a plumb line to make sure both measurements are square and then mark the ceiling for the top plate with another chalk line.

Since I’m putting my wall on the concrete slab foundation, I use a pressure treated bottom plate to ensure no issues with moisture. The top plate, however, is just heat treated (standard) pine.

My studs are set 16″ centers, and I frame in for a 32″ interior door with left opening.

This guy below is getting an awesome homeschool lesson in carpentry. tsk.

What makes it fun is that he’s eager to learn and try.

#TOOLSOVERJEWELS – MY LIFELONG MOTTO

On another note, I’m extremely thankful we have a place to loan out the tools I need. I have nailers and such, but not this heavy-duty. The only thing I had to do was adjust PSI on the compressor to suit the nailer since they nails weren’t sinking in initially. After that, BAM, BAM, BAM!

The video below shows everything the best, but you get the idea I am having a blast!

Not only did everything go smoothly, but we got this all done in two days. Not bad for someone who’s never done this before, eh? If you’d like to give this a try, here’s a tutorial from one of my favorite sources, This Old House, HERE. You can also see how they featured my bedroom ceiling HERE.

Door is square, level, and opens perfectly. {{high five!}}

Better yet, the second wall was easier and in without fuss.

WIRED

Finally, I this space needs wiring as his light and the entry light are on the same line. I already figured it out, just need time to run it all correctly. I’ve had to work on a few outdoor things before snow flies heavier but will get back to framing the closet. You can see the doors on the left in next pic. I found the framing and doors from a 100-year-old home.

Loula is not impressed – haha.

As a busy mom, I take delight in getting this done, even with bedsheets for a small time. We just moved in and I’m excited to have this space ready for him with the DIY bedroom wall framing

Now it’s your turn. Have you ever tackled something like this? Share in comments below as well as pin and share to inspire others. Let’s be livin’ real!

Check out the rest of the story in these posts below:

• Bedroom Addition Lighting
• DIY Bedroom Closet
• DIY Bedroom Drywall
• Bedroom Update
• Bedroom Reveal
• Entry Arched Wainscotting
• And my other home remodels

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