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]
Denise Barkel says
I have 2 benchs to do, with this being a great tool to use to make my life easier!!!
Diane Bassette says
OMG…this momma would love to make some shelving for my daughter’s room! Her space is VERY small and I could utilize a bunch of wall space this way!! Awesome!!
Elaine says
You’re so inspiring!! Love the screw heads adding some extra detail 🙂 I’m not sure if I could make shelves like you did, but I’m always envisioning projects like that in my head!!! Thank you for posting the instructions and sharing your pictures. 🙂 I just realized we have that same sofa with the three huge square pillows in back and the braided trim!! Lol
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
You are so sweet! Thanks. Hey, question? Do you ahve any manufacturer information for your sofa? I get asked about mine a lot and have no tags or info to share. If you did, that would be fantastic!!
Elaine says
It’s at the house in Borrego, and I’m in Seattle My hubby is there today (and i’s 124 degrees!) so I will ask him to take a look at the tags, etc. 🙂
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Wonderful. Just when you can 🙂
m'lin says
Love your new shelves. I would make those same shelves. Love that you could change out pictures easily without added holes.
Wonderful give a way!
Marlene Nelson says
I would love to have the B&D drill and saw. We will be helping my granddaughter do projects in her 100 year old house. I think she has the perfect place for the shelf and we are going to make a small island from a treadle sewing machine base.
Melanie Avenatti says
I want to make planter boxes later this summer. This would be so useful helping me get all the fixes done around the house so I could finally have some crafting time.
Helen says
Great shelves. I’d make garden benches and tables to put in the shady area of my back yard.
Phyllis says
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in such a great giveaway.I would love to be the winner of the Black and Decker package. I would gift it to my daughter Sharyn. She made a bed out of old pallets and would put it to good use for her may good ideas! Probably a nightstand for next to the bed!
Kathy says
These tools would come in handy for fixing things around our house that’s over 200 yrs. old
Tommie says
I’ve never tried to use a drill and it gets a little frustrating asking my husband to help do a project I have planned out in my head. It would be nice o try the drill on my own I really admire the shelves you built.
Joan Kane says
I would love to make the same picture ledge shelf! The B&D drill would come in handy for that!
Missy says
My heart is racing at the thought! I have 5 or 6 bed head boards and foot boards that I have been collecting to make benches. Then I want those frame shelves, then I have been wanting to frame some full length mirrors, and then…and then! Yes I am so excited to have such a great drill and saw.
Meredith says
I’d love make some shelves like these for my stairway.
Linda says
I would love the drill to make some signs like the Welcome sign. Thanks for a great give away
Enjoy the week end !
Ellen Casper says
I would love to make planter boxes for my patio.