6 Ways to Style a Picture Ledge Shelf in Your Home

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Last spring I updated my home office and added these Ikea picture ledge shelves. They’ve been one of my favorite additions to the space! I can easily swap out the photos, frames, and accessories without having to worrying about messing up the flow of a curated gallery wall.

The floating shelves were also the perfect choice for us since we have plaster walls. When it comes to hanging pictures, it can be really challenging with plaster walls, and typically I use clear thumb tacks which means I occasionally hear a frame fall off the wall randomly. With the picture ledges I don’t have to worry about all that and I can easily swap things out without crossing my fingers every time.

Ways to style a picture ledge shelf

how to style a picture ledge shelf

Photo and Product from RoweStationWoodworks on Etsy

Stumped on how to hang your shelves to look their best? Looking for ways to decorate your ledge beyond pictures and artwork? Here are a few ways to style and to hang your floating ledge shelf so they compliment your room best.

Stacked

This is how I styled my shelves in my office, stacked one over the other. This is perfect for rooms with taller ceilings and empty wall space. If you have a full wall to fill you can even do 3 or 4 stacked over each other. This is especially a great option for a wall in a tight spot. If you don’t have enough space for a full shelf, but still want a way to decorate with more than just a gallery wall.

Full Length

If you have a longer piece of furniture, like a couch or bed, consider hanging multiple picture ledges connected to match the length of your piece of furniture. This will give you the space to add larger pieces of art. You can mix in vases, plants, and other smaller objects, without worrying about hitting your head on a shelf every time you sit or stand up.

Photo and Product by WhiteBarnWoodworking on Etsy

Style a style a picture ledge shelf

A-Symmetrical

Consider mixing different size picture ledge shelves, or hanging them off center from each other. This is a great option if your decor is more eclectic! There are several packs of picture ledges available on Amazon that come in a variety of sizes that are already perfect for hanging together.

Photo and Product by West Elm

Photos and products are from SchoolHouse.com

Show off your Vinyl Collection

Want ways to style a picture ledge beyond art? They are perfect for showing off a great record collection. Showcase your prized vinyl and best cover art and mix in other music-inspired artwork for a mini music lovers art gallery!

Make Children’s Books Easy to Grab

I love this way of both showing off your kid’s favorite books, and making them easier for your little one to grab. Use a picture ledge to stack your child’s books together making a little gallery of their favorite books! This also is a great visual reminder to grab a book when they’re right out in the open instead of hidden on a shelf.

how to style a picture ledge shelf in the kitchen

Use a Picture Ledge as a Spice Rack

I love this idea for small kitchens! Use small picture ledge shelves instead of the classic spice rack. This is a great option if you have a small wall that’s too small for a cabinet, but you don’t want to let that space go to waste! Invest in cute spice jars to make your spice collection into it’s own work of art!

Photo and Product by SchoolHouse.com

If you’re like me, you may take some time to ponder whether something you’re considering adding to your home is worth the money. Is it just trendy, or is this something I can keep in my home long term without feeling completely out dated? No worries here. Picture ledges aren’t just a trend, they may be a newer way to add shelving, storage, and art to your home, but they’re quickly becoming a classic that will be used much the same way you use your regular old shelving – so have fun!


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