Ledges & Shallow Shelves: Hanging Art Without Commitment

The Brown-Arsenault-Ruggiero home is a visual smorgasbord of vignettes. One that I especially loved was in John Ruggiero's bedroom, composed on a simple black ledge over his bed. If you have a large collection of art or photography, ledges are a wonderful way to show off your pieces. You can change things around without the commitment and bother of having multiple holes in your walls. Here are some wonderful examples from our archives.

Three Men & A Home Filled With Photography: While a ledge over the bed might strike some as precarious, it's a great way to keep favorite pieces close at hand without cluttering up the nightstand. And, if you're lacking a nightstand, it's a great place to clip on a lamp or two or keep your iPhone just far enough out of reach so that, if you use it as an alarm, you'll have to do more than just reach up to turn it off, meaning less likelihood of sleeping through the alarm.
Abby's Cozy Boho: In my house, a ledge in the dining room not only holds favorite photographs but I also use it to hold glass votives. They give off enough light to eat by without taking up valuable real estate on a table filled with food.
Rebecca's Loving Living Small Home Office: In Rebecca's home office, a double row of ledges full of colorful art, framed articles and favorite photographs are not only a constantly changing gallery of inspiration but provide a lively focal point.
Picture Rail Shoe Organizer: Of course, ledges can be used for displaying more than just art. Here, a collection of high heels is proudly displayed and organized.
Clark's Cozy Lodge: In this kid's room, a bright orange ledge zips around the room becoming a focal point. Try this in your grown up room — it's a clever way to add a dash of color to an otherwise low key space.

Images: as linked above

Comments (14)

Lovely above the bed, but I wouldn't be comfortable with those above my head in earthquake country. Or other earth/wall moving situations.

Hanging art on ledges can be a nice alternative in homes with lots of kids... we put vases, art, and other small fragile items and antiques on floating shelves in our home to otherwise decorate a space that would be impossible with the babies and children that live in our home. A lot of our friends with kids just take all fragile things out of the home, but we just put them out of reach.

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't want to sleep under that shelf! Even in non-earthquake country.

I agree with klin. It looks nice, but it's just too risky for me.

Everyone freaking out about the shelves with dangerous objects precariously positioned over sleeping heads are ignoring the crucifix over the bed. Who needs common sense?

I've been toying with the idea of something like that over the SIDE of my bed, sort of in leiu of a bedside table. Because of space constraints, my bed is up against the wall. But I think it would be too busy and overwhelming with the bed I have and, more importantly, I just KNOW that I will whack myself on it and create a cascade of objects. Because that's how I roll.

I really like the contrasting colors on the crucifix--it totally stands out.

Kaviare, I'm with you... I'd probably crack my head on it. However, I think it's a great use of vertical space all over the house. I'm considering doing this in my postage stamp- sized bathroom to give it a visual boost without clutter.

i attempted hanging floating shelves in my apartments and wound up with giant holes in my walls. I have old plaster walls which barely allow me to put a nail in them, let alone wall anchors. i love my apartment, but i wish i had drywall.

Why not go all the way and put heavier, sharper objects up there?

Everyone freaking out about the shelves with dangerous objects precariously positioned over sleeping heads are ignoring the crucifix over the bed. Who needs common sense?

Huh? I don't get it. Was this supposed to be some kind of bad joke about religion or is there an actual point here? Serious question.