Conquer That Blank Wall With a Versatile Picture Ledge
Turn a dull spot into your own personal art gallery with shallow shelves displaying artwork you can swap out on a whim
Picture ledges are one of the simplest ways to add a personal touch to your home's decor — and with maximum effect. That's because despite their name, they can also be used as small shelves to hold decorative objects, art, books or even a collection of plates. And the best part: A picture ledge allows you to swap out photographs and decor on a whim, or with the seasons. Goodbye, blank walls; hello, curated art collection.
These deep, custom-built picture ledges made from MDF can also double as bookshelves.
Tip: Paint the wall and shelves a single color to make the artwork pop.
Tip: Paint the wall and shelves a single color to make the artwork pop.
Here’s a no-fail picture ledge look: Combine a series of framed black and white photos in a collage format. Add a few tiny objects to the mix, and you’re done.
Spice up your style with a few eclectic accessories and accents
Tip: Include a few extra-small frames in the foreground for depth.
Spice up your style with a few eclectic accessories and accents
Tip: Include a few extra-small frames in the foreground for depth.
Nordic style loves black and white, and often includes creative vignettes of posters and photography. Picture ledges are the perfect starting point for a gallery-style wall.
Tip: Install your picture ledges to one side of a wall when you'd like to visually divide the space.
Tip: Install your picture ledges to one side of a wall when you'd like to visually divide the space.
A picture ledge in blonde wood that matches a nearby table creates a warm, friendly feeling in a kid-friendly café.
Tip: You can use picture ledges to help redirect attention in a room. In this case the furniture is the decor, and the tables are the emphasis. The picture rail with small works of art draws the eye down to focus on what’s important.
Tip: You can use picture ledges to help redirect attention in a room. In this case the furniture is the decor, and the tables are the emphasis. The picture rail with small works of art draws the eye down to focus on what’s important.
A picture ledge mounted relatively low can ground a space and help tie together simple furnishings.
Corner picture ledges accentuate a room’s proportions while using the wall in a creative way.
Tip: The picture rail’s color makes a big difference. In this room rich wood is the right choice, because it balances the leather chair’s color as well as the other dark elements in the room.
Tip: The picture rail’s color makes a big difference. In this room rich wood is the right choice, because it balances the leather chair’s color as well as the other dark elements in the room.
Use a wall of picture ledges to display books and art for a fascinating and vibrant collage.
Ledges: West Elm
Ledges: West Elm
A delicate picture rail brings a dramatic hallway with larger-than-life architecture down to a personal level.
Tip: Sometimes placing a few small objects on your picture ledge can produce big results.
Tip: Sometimes placing a few small objects on your picture ledge can produce big results.
Picture ledges don’t have to be sleek and modern. In a traditional room you can certainly use a ledge that is more like crown molding — an elegant look for supporting a fine piece of art.
Work with a carpenter to design and install custom shelving
Work with a carpenter to design and install custom shelving
Deep Picture Ledge
An all-wood picture ledge will hold up over time and is the material of choice on a textured wall.
Metal Picture Ledge
A metal picture ledge is sleek and modern, and could easily be painted a bright color.
Your turn: Please share your personal picture rail gallery in the Comments!
Your turn: Please share your personal picture rail gallery in the Comments!
Tip: To give two shelves the feeling of one unit, mount them 12 to 14 inches apart. Place larger pieces on the top shelf.