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]
Melissa E. says
I love doing pallet art and this would be so much better than my handheld electric screwdriver. I know….lol
Deborah G. says
I love those shelves. I totally want to make some. My project is to make a bench for my back deck so I have more outdoor seating.
Diane Dreaver says
I would use this Black and Decker Circular Saw to cut boards, from reclaimed wood pallets, to my preferred lengths to create a pallet board wall. The Black and Decker Drill would be used for many projects around my house. We plan to remodel our living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Both Tools would be used a lot. My husband and I believe Black and Decker is the best in power tools.
Audrey Langos says
I am always working on one project or the next and always must borrow tools or ask a neighbor to do it for me. I would be grateful for the opportunity to own these wonderful tools.
Deborah Piester says
I would love to win this set & I want to make the ledge picture shelf. My next project would be to make a hall tree with bench for my entryway. Both these items I do not own so both the circular saw & drill would help so much!! Thank you for the opportunity to win!!
Jkempf says
I would love to build a garden arbor!
dianne hall says
I would love to win so I could build a dining room table!
Terry Cosgrove Grenier says
I would build a deck and steps to my new above ground pool 🙂
JILL NELSON says
I’m gearing up to make a couple of benches made from old cribs…this would be the perfect time for a tool upgrade!
Melissa Storms says
I would love to make the kitchen spice racks they have instructions for on the Black and Decker site.
jamie ray says
Thank you for this awesome giveaway. The possibilities are endless. I’ve a surplus of cedar planks with tons of ideas that I’d love to use these with!
Susan says
I would make a big raised garden bed! Mine is too small.
June Lisle says
What I would like to build would be wall shelves so I could organize. I also want more things like books up high and out of my toddler’s reach.
nicki joseph says
I would like to make a bookshelf:)
Nancy Risner says
I would use mine, if I was to win, to fix some things on my house since I done any tools to work with. I also would make flooring out of plywood, that afterwards looks real flooring, since my floors only have concrete at the moment.