No cuts or complicated steps – learn how to make this long picture ledge that will be the focal point of any room. All the perks of a gallery wall, with minimum holes.
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The day I did this project, my in-laws were driving in to spend the weekend with us. We had been moved into our home for about 4 or 5 months, and while I had built a dining table, a ladder shelf, and a few other small projects, I hadn’t realized until that morning that I hadn’t put up a single picture of my husband and I – or anyone else for that matter. Our house was slowly coming together, but it felt like nobody lived here without any pictures on the wall.
The idea of organizing pictures to do a gallery wall felt like a huge undertaking to do with them arriving at our house in less than 2 hours. I had seen some pictures on Pinterest of picture ledges and figured I could do that quickly, but wow! – this project literally took no time at all! The longest part was allowing the wood stain to dry. Don’t believe me? Let me show how it’s done.
Tools & Materials:
- (1) – 1x4x8
- (1) – 1x3x8
- (1) – 1x2x8
- Pencil
- Wood Glue
- 1in Nails
- 2 ½ inch Wood Screws
- Level
- Stud finder
- Power Drill
- Sanding Block (optional)
- Wood Stain (optional)
Steps:
1. Sand & Stain Boards (optional)
If you want to stain your boards, you’ll start with lightly sanding them with a 120 or higher grit sanding paper. Then wipe down the wood so there’s no saw dust before applying your stain. For tip on staining, check out my post on how to stain wood.
With whichever stain you chose (I choose American Walnut by Varathane), follow the directions and stain your headboard. Give it at a least an hour for the stain to dry before handling.
2. Assemble your Picture Ledge
The bottom part of your shelf that the pictures will sit is the 1×3 board. The front of the ledge is the 1×2, leaving the back piece to be the 1×4. After running a line of wood glue first, you’ll attach the 1×2 to the 1×3 with nails and the 1×4 to the 1×3 with screws
3. Attach Picture Ledge to Wall
Use a pencil and your stud finder to mark on the wall where the studs are located for where you want to hang your picture ledge. Place the level on your picture ledge while you hold it up against the wall to decide where you want the ledge to be.
Once you’ve got it in place, drill the wood screw through the back of the ledge into the stud of the wall. (Using wood screws allows you not to have to drill pilot holes)
Since the boards are 8ft long, you should use 3 screws on either end and in the middle of the ledge for a secure hold. Don’t worry if you see the screw head from the front, it’ll be covered with your pictures in no time.
Just like that, a picture ledge! I quickly put up a few pictures on our ledge that I had available. As I stepped back to inspect my handiwork, the doorbell rang that my in-laws were here.
When we greeted the family, they looked around to see our new home, my mother-in-law said she loved the picture ledge and asked when I made it, as she follows my Instagram where I share all my projects. I replied that I just finished it as they pulled into the driveway and we chuckled.
If you have an hour and the need for an interesting, conversation-starting way to display pictures and art, this project is perfect for you! Make it your own with your choice of stain or paint, and you can always cut the pieces shorter if you want a shorter ledge. For the same amount of wood, you can make two 4ft long shelves.
Is this picture ledge project getting added to your list of DIYs? If you nail this one, be sure to tag or DM me on Instagram or Pinterest @MelanatedMakerDIY
If you want more behind the scenes footage of this or any of the other projects, check out my Instagram @MelanatedMakerDIY