How To Build a Picture Ledge Shelf

Building your own picture ledge shelf is super easy! It only takes three boards, some glue, and a few nails to get a customized length of shelf for the wall. Using a ledge for pictures as opposed to nailing things into the wall allows for the ability to change things around by season, or just for a change of pace without having to patch any holes. I am all in when it comes to inexpensive, easy and stylish.

DIY Picture Ledge — Simple design, construction and installation of a custom sized picture ledge shelf.

I wanted to put some pictures up in my creative space, but I also wanted the ability to change things around from time to time. Although I already have a couple of shelves for storage on the wall, I added the picture ledge because that is where it made sense. Now if this was a living room or hallway, I would do things differently, but you make things work for you in a work space. Rather than stain the wood, I opted to paint it to blend in better with the trim and other shelves. Here’s the process to make a picture ledge shelf of your very own.

Supply List:

1×2 in clear pine or wood of your choice
1×3 in clear pine or wood of your choice
1×4 in clear pine or wood of your choice
Wood Glue
Tape Measure
Pencil
Saw
Nail Gun (or nails and hammer)
Ear protection
Eye protection
Paintable caulking (if painting the shelf)
Utility knife
Screws
Stud Finder
Drill with bits
Piece of Sandpaper
Tarp or old towel
Paint or stain
Stir Stick
Paint Brush
Wire Brush to clean Paint Brush

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Instructions

Step 1:

Measure the space where the shelf will be installed. Determine how long you want to make your shelf. The great thing about making your own picture ledge is that you can customize the length and finish to fit the space perfectly. At this point, decide if you want to paint or stain the picture ledge shelf.

Step 2:

Once the length of the picture ledge is determined, measure that length on to the three pieces of board and mark with a pencil. My shelf will be 40 inches long. After looking the boards over to choose the best side to measure from, I measured 40 inches from the edge of the board with the tape measure and marked with a pencil. This will become the line to follow when making cuts. Repeat for all of the wood pieces.

common board vs. select clear board — Above: Measure the length of shelf and mark on wood planks. Below: Comparative difference of common board and select clear board.

SIDE NOTE: Common pine was cheaper than select clear pine. Because the shelf would be painted I purchased common pine for the 1×4. The 1×3 and 1×2 selection of common board was pretty beat up at the store, so I purchased select clear pine for those pieces. What’s the difference between common pine and clear pine? Common pine has knots throughout the wood and select clear pine is clear of any knots. Knots can sometimes pose a problem when woodworking and the clear boards are often more desirable but a little more expensive.

Step 3:

Once measurements are marked, wear your eye and ear protection to make the cuts. If there are any ragged edges, knock those smooth with sandpaper. After cutting, line the wood planks together to make sure they are of consistent length. Fix any boards as needed.

Easy DIY Picture Ledge — Cut wood along marks made, sand any rough edges and be sure they are all the same length prior to gluing and nailing together.

Step 4:

Apply wood glue to the edge of the one inch edge of 1×3 and spread smooth. Place the broad side of the1x2 in front of the glue covered 1×3 and nail in place, being sure all edges are lining up evenly. Repeat this for the top edge of the 1×3 and nail the 1×4 to form an “L” or “J” shape depending on which side you look at (see above picture). Wipe off any excess glue. Let dry.

Build your own picture ledge shelf — Run a bead of wood glue along the 1×3 edge and butt up the 1×4 perpendicular to that edge. Make sure sides line up and nail together.

Step 5:

Fill any holes with wood putty or caulk. Sometimes we make mistakes. I messed up a couple of the nails with the nail gun, so I removed the nails and patched the holes.

I was worried about the nails being too close to the top of the 1×3 and showing so I overcorrected and put them in too low. To avoid this, draw a line across the board as a guide. The line should be about 1/2+ inch from the bottom. That way the nail goes in at the center of the 1×3’s edge and not too low or too high.

Easy wood picture ledge — Remove any exposed nails by hitting the tips until the heads pop up enough to rock them out with the hammer. Fill joints and holes with caulking and smooth with finger. Let dry.

Run a bead of paintable caulk along the joints where the boards meet. Of course, only caulk in the joints if you plan to paint the picture ledge shelf. Wipe the bead of caulk to smooth out and fill in the joints. Let cure completely.

Step 6:

While the caulking is drying, use the stud finder to mark the studs in the wall. Once the studs are marked on the wall, hold the shelf up and transfer the stud marks onto the shelf edge. Measure down from the top edge of the back board about an inch. make a t where the one inch mark and stud spacings cross.

hanging a wood picture ledge — Locate and mark studs. Transfer marks to shelf and measure where screws will be. One inch from the top back board was the measurement I chose.

Step 7:

Use a drill with a bit just slightly smaller than the width of your screws. Drill pilot holes for the screws where your marks are into the back of the picture ledge board. Insert the screws part way so just the tips poke through the board in the back.

Pilot holes for hanging a shelf — Drill holes in shelf, insert screws part way, hold up to the wall being sure it is level and in line with the stud marks. Push into wall to make holes for pilot holes.

Step 8:

Use the level and hold the shelf with the screws against the wall. Once the shelf is at the correct level and in line with the markings for the studs, screw or press the shelf into the wall to make marks in the wall. Drill pilot holes. Remove shelf and screws to paint or stain the pieces.

Step 9:

Paint or stain the picture ledge shelf and let dry completely. Once dry, use the 2 1/2 to 3 inch screws with the power drill to secure onto the wall where the pilot holes are.

install picture ledge shelf — Once painted and dry, partially insert screws into previously drilled holes. Screw into pilot holes until shelf is flush with wall. Touch up with paint.

Touch up any blemishes and the heads of the screws to blend in with the paint on the shelf.

Using picture ledge shelf — The picture ledge shelf is hung and looking great. Now to figure out if I should place fun items or to use as storage. Hmmm.

Such an easy project! I love how it turned out and how functional the picture ledge is when it comes to arranging photos, paintings, or other artwork. One more project completed in my creative space. Now on to refinishing the desk I use for sewing. Each completed project is one step closer to my goal: to make a house a home.