How To Make A Picture Ledge Shelf
I’ve day-dreamed about just this style, so I can easily switch out art, framed photos, mirrors, etc… without putting more new holes in the walls. In my lathe & plaster walls… that have a design swirled into the plaster. So filling the holes never looks exactly the same. And look, I finally did it! I’m so happy. It only took me about 3 years to get around to it, but less than 3 hours to complete it. Is that some kind of record? It was zip-zip with my new Black + Decker 20v cordless drill/driver (affiliate link)
Let me show you how I did it. It’s really simple, and lets whatever you are showcasing really shine. With the versatility to change it out on a whim! And I get a whole lot of whims..
What I used to complete my project:
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Black + Decker 2 speed 20volt Drill/Driver affiliate link
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Screws
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Drill Bit
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Find my awesome Black + Decker Drill Bit Set here affiliate link
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Phillips Head Bit
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Pine Wood (measure to fit your particular space)
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Saw
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Paint or Stain
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Wood Filler (stainable if you decide on stain)
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Tape Measure
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Level
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Pencil
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Clamps
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*Optional – Straight Edge/Metal Yard Stick
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*Optional – #2 square drive galvanized deck screws & bit
How To Make A Picture Ledge Shelf:
THE CUTS –
- Start by measuring your space to determine the length of the piece you are going to attach to the wall. Cut accordingly. My shelves are 3 feet long.
- Next determine the depth you want for your shelf, cut accordingly. *The deeper the shelf, the more “lean” you will get you place you items on it.
- Next determine the lip or reveal you want on the front and, cut accordingly. I did a 3 inch lip on mine.
DRY FIT –
I can not stress enough that you always want to lay your project out and fit it together for a dry-run before you start nailing/screwing/gluing things together. You might find a warp you need to account for, a flaw you want on the bottom… it’s just a great idea to get familiar with how everything is going to fit together, before you start.
PRE DRILL –
- It’s best to pre-drill a pilot hole for your screws. This ensure a clean entry and prevents the wood from splitting.
I used my drill on the DRILL setting for this, on speed #2. The drill setting looks like the photo below.
The #2 setting looks like this.
- I used a 3/32 drill bit. You’ll want your bit to be the proper size for the screws you are using, so keep that in mind. You don’t want to make a bigger hole than the shank of your screw.
- NOTE: I like to use a countersink bit when using screws the will show on my projects. This not only pre-drills the hole, but carves a space for the screw head to counter sink (sitting below the wood surface) as well. You can them cover the screw head with wood filler and the hole/screw will not distract from your awesome shelves! I could not find mine though, so I went with plan B.
- TIP: I used a metal yard stick as a guide to make sure all my holes were drilled the same distance away from the edge.
SCREW IN/ASSEMBLE –
- This is where you’ll attach the board that will be screwed into the wall, and the shelf portion together. Screw in, starting in the middle, and working out to the ends. I used five 2.5 inch screws in my 3 foot length of shelf.
- For driving my screws, I set my drill on 6 and put it in 1st gear. The #1 position.
My Suggested Board Configuration
- Attach your lip or front section last. Again, starting in the middle, working out. This allows you to make minor adjustments. I pre-drilled 5 holes, and used 5 screws.
- NOTE: Because I could not locate my counter sink bit, I decided to use some #2 square drive galvanized deck screws, mostly for the look. I thought the silver would be fun. I have this awesome Black + Decker 129 piece drill bit kit [you can find it here] (affiliate) and I had the bit to match the heads, so I went for it!
Here are the shelves completed, with both front lip/stop boards screwed into place.
Next I’ll take them in the house. Hang, cover my screw holes and add my second coat of paint.
How I Hung My Shelves:
- I used a level to ensure my shelves would hang straight. I held them against the wall and used a pencil to mark my placement. I hung them each 3 inches from my window casements.
- Next, I held the shelf with one hand onto the mark I had made, and screwed my shelf directly into the wall/studs with large anchor screws. Start with your middle screw. I used three screws. Set your level on your shelf to ensure it stays straight. Add your left or right screw.
- NOTE: You’ll need to make sure you use the proper screw/anchoring system for type for your wall. You may have drywall, concrete, etc… – We’ve got lather and plaster, as I mentioned earlier.
This was where I really appreciated the weight and maneuverability of the drill. I was holding the drill, the shelf and the level. And I didn’t feel like my arm was going to fall off. That was so nice! I felt like this drill was made for me. It’s smaller and more compact. Plus, it fit in every angle I needed it to, but it had the power (on speed 1, the lower gear) to drive 4 inch anchors through the wood shelf, lathe & plaster, and into the hard wood studs. All smooth as could be!
Now that the shelves are built & installed, let’s take a look at them! This was my “before”, with my side tables pulled out and naked walls. Oh my, so sad.
And now! With my new, built by me, picture ledge shelves.
Do you love them? I love them!!
See how neat the deck screws look? Maybe it’s a good thing I couldn’t find that other bit?
For now, I popped a few nautical pieces of art on the shelves.
It’s been very red, white and blue here this Summer.
Of course, you never know when one of my whims could strike?
You could swing by next time, and I’ll be feeling sun-kissed and aqua. I don’t know if I can go all Summer without any. Maybe after the Fourth Of July? After all, a little aqua never hurt anyone.
Thanks so very much for joining me today!! I hope you like my latest project. I had a lot of fun making my picture ledge shelves. I think they are going to be a lot of fun to decorate, and if you whip some up, I sure would love to see them!!
I’m going to go eat my berries now… 🙂 xo Shannon
Flash Forward
A few ways I decorated the shelves over the years.
MORE SIMPLE WOOD DIY PROJECTS
Farmhouse Kitchen Bakery Sign [click here to read]
How To Make A Pallet Wood Circle Base [tutorial here]
How To Make A Simple Wood Trough Box [tutorial, click here]
Joy Breaux says
I purchased an older model mobile home a few months ago from an elderly couple. The mobile home is in pretty good shape (except for all the nicotine that had to be removed). The older man fell sick and never completed his remodeling. It’s just my daughter and I who will be doing the repairs. We sure could use that saw to cut window and door frames. We will have to change out some rotten boards on the front porch, so that drill will definitely come in handy. We also would like to screen in the back porch. My dad is getting up in age (83) and I hate to bother him when I need to do repairs. Screening in the back porch might be a challenge, but I have confidence we’ll get it done.
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Congratulations on your new home. Wishing you much happiness!
Patricia says
I would make the Welcome sign sitting on your shelf.. Love .. !!
Thank You,
Patricia (NC Coast)
carol clark says
id make a table for my garden area and a small bench to sit at it would be nice to have these so nice
Jen Dantuma says
I love how your shelves turned out – they really make a difference in your room and you did a great job. I’ve been trying to work up the nerve to buy some power tools so that I can do some of my own diy projects. My husband is gifted at and does many things, but this is not an area that I can talk him into helping me with. I keep seeing wood pallets with “Free” signs when I’m out and about, but I haven’t picked any up since I know they’d just be in an unused stack. With these tools I would be able to tackle some of those projects I’ve been pinning, beginning with a potting bench. Thank you for the chance to enter!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Thank you so much! These would be great starter tools you could do a lot with. Scroll saws are super as well. Good luck!
Elizabeth H. says
Oh WOW!!! You have a beautiful, gorgeous, relaxing, inviting home! I LOVE, LOVE your summer/nautical room design. I have many plans to do some small, adorable and FUN DIY projects but lack the tools.
I would definitely make/do wooden signs with nautical designs, for holidays, for summer, for my home, my son’s room, give as gifts projects, the list goes on. I would LOOOVE to have my very own Black + Decker 20V MAX* Lithium Cordless Drill & win a 20V MAX* Circular Saw. Yippeeee!!!!! Ecstatic to the max! Thank you sooooooo much! Happy SUMMER! 🙂
Beth
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Thank you very much, and good luck to you!! Happy Summer 🙂
Leslie Brown says
Hey, Shannon! Great job on the new shelves. I really like ones with a lip too. Keeps things safer in a house with kitty cats. ? Anyway, I am glad to have this opportunity to win tools. I have been a diy’er for as long as I can remember. These days I am finding some of our older tools too difficult for my arthritic hands to hold on to for long. Since I have plans to build replacement kitchen cabinets later this summer, this drill/saw combo would be the perfect helper! Thanks again for the chance to win. –Leslie in Eugene
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
You’d love this for sure. It was so nice for me. My hands are not super strong, and it was much more comfortable to work with. Luck!!
Nancy Shaw says
I would love to make a table for my jade tree it’s gotten so big it needs his own place. It would be wonderful!
Kristi Bell says
Love these shelves! If I had these fabulous Black & Decker tools I would SO make them! I would also make the beverage cart that I went to a workshop on last night. A girl’s gotta have her OWN tools! Sigh.
Theresa Franco says
I need this drill! I always have projects around the house and my old drill is 15 years old. Would love make some of these shelves.
Sharon G says
Hi Shannon! It’s Sharon from Florida~ So my drill is ancient and this new Black & Decker Drill would allow me to get back to projects I’ve neglected for years. When you said you had thought about it for 3 years but it only took 3 hours that has motivated me! Thank you!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
I’m so bad… lol. More ideas than time, but I tick them off the list eventually 🙂
Debbie Painter says
Oh! I love the picture ledge shelves!! I’ve been wanting an idea to make to hold my hubby giant collection of videos. This might be the answer. I have one walk in my living room that is brick and I think these would complement and get the collection in control at the same time.
PS: countersink on my shopping list! Lol
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Oh yes! Those could be easy to customize for videos.
Whitney says
I would use in our camper “Agatha” to hang and secure my decor,so I wound have to remove it all the time when pulling the camper. Shelving and fun chalkboard. Thank you, Whitney
Debra says
Love all your red, white, and blue. So festive! Those shelves would be great in my grandson’s bedroom. Just want he needs for his growing collections. Thanks for the chance to win.
Patricia says
I want to make the Welcome Sign with the Lobster that is on your shelf.. I collect Lobster and Starfish items. I love on a lake.
Thank You for you wonderful Blog..!!!!
Kathleen says
We have a fireplace with no mantle and that has bugged me for years, so I would make a mantle!