It's a cool design idea for people not in earhtquake country.

I mean, 'earthquake'.

I'm thinking about doing the same. I have so much art I want to display, but don't want to clutter my walls.

I really enjoy them! I love these used to add layers of artwork like with the mantle in picture #3.

And it would be fun to do in my dad's apartment with the art he already has.

On this note...Can anyone in the AT community direct me to a maker of picture rails that could handle some real weight?

Most picture rails I've seen are "hung" on two screws sticking out of the wall. On the other hand, Pottery Barn, for example, carries some, for which a long metal bracket with holes is first attached to the wall by two (or more!) screws (as many screws as will fit). The rail is then slid onto the bracket, allowing greater distribution of the forces. But I personally don't like the look of those Pottery Barn rails. Can anyone recommend another brand?

Thanks in advance!

Hey Fledgling!
We have the steel picture rails from Room & Board and they're great. Built out of one solid piece of metal and screwed onto the wall studs; these guys can hold a lot of weight. Search Shannon and Brenden on AT and see the pictures of our place and the picture rails. Good luck!

@fledgling
Check the DIY blogs like Ana White and such. I used her diagrams to build all my ledges. I believe she has one for the 3-sided box slid on to a frame type deal you would want. Good luck!

This is definitely what I'd like to do for my living room, but my current budget is suggesting I visit IKEA instead of someplace like Room & Board. Anyone have any experience with IKEA picture ledges? Tips/don't buy!s/do buy!s ?

@omnibiscuits:
I've got IKEA picture ledges in my living room. Perfectly serviceable, working great for me. Check how flat your walls actually are, though, because, man, mine really bow out and make it tough stuff to put a long ledge on.
In short, do buy!

Thanks, eliz! I think my walls are fairly flat, but we shall see. Good to know. :)

I have IKEA picture ledges, but they have trouble holding the really think IKEA picture frames. Just a tip. :-)

I'm thinking that a picture ledge is only as sturdy as the anchors you put in your drywall.
Great idea, though, need to put this on a wall somewhere in my house.

Container Store has sold pretty picture ledges, but I haven't tried them.

A great tip! Especially for those who are renting or those who like rearranging rooms a lot (i.e., me). Love it.

@BMendozaSF & thewavelife: Will do! Thanks so much for the information!

Inspired! I especially like the versatility. My wife and I love hanging tons of artwork (we have a softspot for that salon look you mention) but then we had to spend hours respackling the last place we rented cause of all the craters we left in the walls. Plus, this is so versatile. You could almost redesign daily, depending on mood. Great post.

love this, was searching for ways to display layers of photos on a mantle and this post is perfect! Also great solution for an apartment with a lot of exposed brick walls.

fantastic post! love it!

Love the pictures on the mantle. The other ledge's I am not a fan of.

We have tons of art sitting in storage...What a great way to put some of it to use! Thanks!

One of my old apartments had "plate rail molding" and we used it for art storage. Terrible landlords, but damn was that apartment gorgeous.

Love this.

a great post on a a more organic way to present art. we installed a ledge in our apartment and received a lot of compliments. the fact that it's not a sterile wall piece bring you toward it and the slight angle makes it much easier to take in as a whole. nice pice, thanks for sharing.

At my childhood beach house. My mum had this old wooden mirror rested above our fireplace mantel. I always loved how the angle reflected different parts of the house depending on where you stood.

I do this, but I find that the frames tend to slide. Any tips on making them stay put?

I love all the images. The second photo is particularly beautiful. I took have some small paintings of our daughter on our mantle and it feels like home while at the same time sophisticated. So often I find myself disinterested in perfectly designed home. This tip gives you the room to really "live life" in your space.

Love it! We just moved and this is so inspirational for our new place!

I always like the leaning picture ledges, but living in California makes me nervous for earthquakes.

We have the IKEA ledge too. It holds three pretty large frames really well. I have no idea if my hubby modified it though to make it stronger...he is pretty handy that way!

This is a great idea! My apartment is historic and has plaster walls...the fewer nails I have to use the better!

Wow, this totally works. My wife and I have a collection of over 30 framed b&w photographs that we have wanted to display but have procrastinated on getting out the hammer and nails. We leaned a bunch of them against our kitchen and living room wall yesterday before a dinner party with friends and just about everyone noticed them and said they liked the lack of "formality". Great idea. Keep them coming.

We've had Crate & Barrel Archetype photo ledges in one room for a couple of years now: one long ledge made of three in a series. So far, so good!

Love this. Great solution for earthquake areas is you can put that earthquake tacky stuff on it.

Love it!