Picture Frame Stand Drilled Into Wall

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So you've framed some pictures, maybe in frames of your own making, or maybe in store bought frames. In either case, you may need a shelf on which you can proudly display these framed photographs. Luckily, you can make a picture frame shelf without too much difficulty, and there are even different varieties of shelf you can choose between. Depending on your home, your framed pictures might be suited for a gallery ledge shelf, a shelf made from a recycled picture frame, or a hanging shelf.

1. 1

   Gather your supplies. The gallery ledge shelf is a small sill that you can attach to a wall and then present your pictures on. 1x4 boards form the base and back of this shelf, and a 1x2 board will create a lip to keep pictures from falling or slipping free. In all, you'll need:

   • 2-inch screws (5 cm)
   • 8-foot (2.44 m) long 1x2 board
   • 8-foot (2.44 m) long 1x4 board (x2)
   • Clamps (optional)
   • Drill (and screw drill bit)
   • Level
   • Pencil (optional; recommended)
   • Pocket hole jig (optional)
   • Ruler/tape measure (optional)
   • Saw (optional)^[1]

2. 2

   Get your work area ready. You'll need a flat, open work space to work efficiently. Your work bench/table should also be sturdy so it doesn't wobble during your shelf construction. Remove any obstacles or potential tripping hazards, like unused equipment and electrical cords.

   • If you plan on painting or staining your shelf, you should do so in a well ventilated area. Choosing a well ventilated place, like an open garage, for your work area will prevent you having to relocate later when painting or staining.
   • As part of your preparation, you may want to cut your boards down to size. The width of your shelf is customizable to your needs, so long as all boards are cut to the same length.^[2]

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3. 3

   Drill pilot holes for easier fastening . By using a drill bit slightly smaller than the width of your screws, you can drill "pilot holes" to guide your screws and prevent splitting in the wood. For an 8-foot shelf:

   • Measure and mark four holes at regular intervals along the face of both long, thin sides of a 1x4, with each hole a quarter inch (6.35 mm) from the bottom edge. Then, drill a shallow pilot hole at each mark.
   • Position your undrilled 1x4 so it stands upright on its long, narrow edge. A quarter inch (6.35 mm) inward from the bottom of the long, narrow edge, measure, mark, and drill four more holes at the same increments as your first 1x4.
   • Position your 1x2 so it stands upright on its long, narrow edge. A quarter inch (6.35 mm) inward from the bottom of the long, narrow edge, measure, mark, and drill four more holes at the same increments as your 1x4s.^[3]

4. 4

   Drill pocket holes for a more finished look. Pocket holes are drilled into a flat surface on an angle so the fastener, in this case a screw, passes through a board to emerge at a 90° angle (forming an L shape) with a flat face of the board. This kind of hole will be a less noticeable way of connecting the 1x4 back and the 1x2 lip of your shelf to the 1x4 base of the shelf. First:

   • Measure and mark four pocket holes at regular intervals along both long sides of a 1x4 so that each hole is ½" (1.27 cm) from the edge.
   • Adjust your pocket hole jig so the hole you drill emerges at a 90° angle (forming an L shape) to the face of the long, narrow side, and is ¼" (.64 cm) from the bottom edge.
   • Use a pocket hole jig to drill holes at the marks on your 1x4 so the screws emerge at a 90° angle (forming an L shape) to the face of the long, narrow sides of the 1x4.
   • The 1x4 with holes in the long, narrow faces will form the base of your shelf. At the holes, your other 1x4 will attach to the back as a mount, and the 1x2 to the front as a lip.^[4]

5. 5

   Align and fasten your 1x4 boards. Lay flat the 1x4 with holes drilled along the middle of both faces of its long, narrow sides so that the holes of both sides are accessible, with a quarter inch (6.35 mm) of wood separating each hole from your work surface. Orient your second 1x4 so it stands on the long, narrow edge where you've drilled holes.^[5] Then:

   • Line up the 1x4s evenly so that an L shape is formed between the flat and upright boards. The pilot holes, having been drilled at the same increments, should also align.
   • Take a screw and place it onto the screw bit of your drill. Push the screw lightly into the pilot hole, so the tip sinks into the wood and steadies the screw.
   • With your free hand, realign the boards, if necessary, so that both are even, then hold the boards firmly to prevent them from slipping while screwing.
   • Hold the drill at a 90° angle to the board so it forms an L shape, apply moderate pressure to the drill, and slowly press the drill's button until the screw is flat against the board and fastens both boards together. Repeat this for each of the four holes.^[6]

6. 6

   Attach your 1x2 board. Take your 1x2 and stand it on the long, narrow edge along which you drilled holes. Align it with your flat 1x4 so that the ends are even. The holes drilled in both the 1x2 and 1x4 should align, and the 1x2 and 1x4 should form an L shape.^[7] Then:

   • Place a screw onto your drill bit and push the tip of the screw lightly into a pilot hole on your 1x2. Make sure both boards are aligned with your free hand, then use that hand to hold the boards together firmly.
   • Hold your drill at a 90° angle to the board so it forms an L shape, apply moderate pressure to the drill, and slowly press the button until the head of the screw is flat with the wood and fastens the two boards together. Repeat this for all four holes.^[8]

7. 7

   Add personal touches, if desired. Your shelf is all put together, but you may want to add some paint or staining to give your shelf a nice, finished look. One of the benefits of building your own shelf is that you can choose a color or stain that matches your home decor.

   • Even if you don't consider yourself much of an artist, you can make simple spray paint stencils and use these to create cool designs on your shelf.^[9]

8. 8

   Hang your shelf and display your pictures. For the safest installation of your shelf, you should find stud(s) in the wall where you plan to hang your shelf. Studs will be more stable and prevent your shelf from pulling free of the wall. Then:

   • Measure and mark where on the wall's stud(s) you will attach the back of your shelf (the upright 1x4). For an 8-foot shelf, you should have two opposite side stud anchors (one on the right of the shelf, one on the left, for example). Each anchor should have two to four screws connecting the back of the shelf and wall.
   • You should always check the levelness of your shelf with a carpenter's level before screwing in any screws.
   • Hanging a shelf incorrectly can result in an unsightly slant. Having a second set of hands to help can prevent these kind of errors.^[10]
   • Hang the shelf so the shortest side is facing toward you.^[11]

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1. 1

   Collect project necessities. This simple shelf is made from a picture frame. You can often find suitable, inexpensive frames at thrift and secondhand stores. Prioritize thick frames, as these will better hide the wooden 1x2 ledge you'll adding behind the frame. Including these, you'll also need:^[12]

   • 1x2 boards (equal in length to the outside perimeter of your frame; thinner boards can be used for thinner frames)
   • 2-inch screws
   • Drill
   • Glue
   • Level
   • Picture frame
   • Saw
   • Wall anchors (x2)

2. 2

   Prepare your work area. You're going to need to cut your 1x2 boards to the dimension of your picture frame, so you'll want to choose a work area where you can easily clean up sawdust, like a place with a hard floor. You'll also want a wide, sturdy, flat work surface, and a surrounding area clear of obstacles and tripping hazards.

   • If you don't have a hard floored work area available to you, you can cut down on cleanup by making a backyard work bench. Lay a wide, flat board between two saw horses on a flat stretch of ground and you're good to go.

3. 3

   Cut your 1x2 boards. Your 1x2 boards will follow the entire perimeter of the back of your picture frame, creating a ledge on which you can place your pictures. However, your 1x2 frame should be slightly smaller than the outer perimeter of the picture frame, but bigger than its inner perimeter. Cut your boards to the dimensions of your picture frame using your saw.

   • Since you have chosen a thick frame, the outer perimeter around the outside of the frame will be larger than the inner perimeter on its inside.
   • A 1x2 frame smaller than the outer perimeter but larger than the inner will allow part of the frame to extend beyond the 1x2 frame, hiding it, while the inner perimeter will extend beyond the frame on the inside to create a lip.^[13]

4. 4

   Decorate your 1x2 boards, if desired. The unpainted wood of your 1x2 frame can be made more appealing many ways. For example, you might add a coat of paint the same color as the wall on which you plan to hang your shelf, or you could stain the wood.

   • It'll be easiest to paint your 1x2 boards before they're assembled into a frame or attached to your picture frame.
   • When painting and staining, follow the label directions carefully. Different brands may have special procedures or techniques to improve the outcome.
   • Allow sufficient time for your decorations to dry before putting together your 1x2 boards into a frame.
   • Paint and staining can give off harmful fumes. Work in a well ventilated area when doing either to prevent the injury or death.^[14]

5. 5

   Assemble your 1x2 frame. Lay out your now cut 1x2 boards so each board corresponds to and forms a similar shape to your picture frame. Use your drill to connect each board to its neighbor with at least two screws.

   • Before you fasten together any boards with screws, take your picture frame and place it atop your 1x2 frame. If the width of the picture frame extends beyond the 1x2 frame inside and out all around, your 1x2 frame has been cut correctly.^[15]

6. 6

   Attach your picture frame to your 1x2 frame. Depending on the kind of picture frame you've chosen for this project, the glue you use to fasten your picture and 1x2 frames together may vary. Lay your 1x2 frame so it stands on its long, narrow edges and:

   • Apply your glue to the entire upward face of the long, narrow edges. In most cases, your picture frame will be wood, and a general purpose wood glue will be most effective.
   • Carefully lower the back of your frame onto the adhesive so the inside and outside perimeters of the frame extend beyond your 1x2 frame. The long edges of both frames should be parallel.
   • Follow the instructions on your glue to determine the length of time you'll need to wait until it is dry. Working on your frame before it has dried could cause it to fall apart.^[16]

7. 7

   Fasten wall hangers to the 1x2 frame. Because of the way the wood is positioned, it may be difficult for you to hang your picture frame shelf without wall hangers. These should be screwed into place on the back of the 1x2 frame, in the upper left and right corners.^[17]

8. 8

   Install your shelf and show off your pictures. For most medium sized frames, you should only need a single stud to mount your shelf sturdily to the wall. Large to very large frames might best be supported by two studs. Measure and mark where on the wall's stud(s) you plan to hang your shelf, then:

   • Align your wall hangers with the marks you've made to indicate the placement of your shelf on the wall. Check the shelf with a level and adjust it until it is perfectly flat.
   • Use your drill to fasten the first wall hanger to the wall with a screw. Re-check the levelness of the shelf, and then fasten the final wall hanger with a screw.^[18]

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1. 1

   Gather your supplies and equipment. Using a single pine board, you're going to make a simple shelf hanging from leather straps. The board can be as long or short as you like, though for the purposes of providing a guided example, a length of 12" (30.5 cm) is used. All said, you'll need:

   • Chisel (approximately ¼" (.64 cm) wide)
   • Clamps
   • Hammer & nails
   • Leather punch
   • Leather strap (x2; each 20" (50.8 cm) long)
   • Level
   • Pencil
   • Pine board (1-1/8″ (2.86 cm) thick, 12" (30.5 cm) long)
   • Ruler/tape measure
   • Sandpaper (optional; recommended)
   • Saw (optional)^[19]

2. 2

   Ready your work area. You'll need a flat, stable surface to work efficiently and safely. Clear any obstacles or tripping hazards, like electrical cords and unused equipment, out of the way.

   • You may want to work somewhere with hard floor, like your garage, where it'll be easy to clean up wood dust and shavings.

3. 3

   Draw a notch-line on your pine board. Lay your board flat on its long, wide face. With your pencil and ruler, measure and mark a line a ¼" (.64 cm) in from one of the long edges so the line extends completely from one end of the board to the other.

   • This line is where you will remove some wood to create a notch in which your pictures will be held.^[20]

4. 4

   Chisel out the notch. Clamp your wood to your work surface so the wood is firmly held in place. Take your chisel and place it on your notch-line. There should be at least ¼" (.64) of wood between the edge of your notch and the edge of the board. Then:

   • Angle the chisel low with respect to the board, with the slanted part of the chisel facing up. Slowly and carefully tap your chisel with a hammer to remove shavings and form your notch.
   • Follow your notch-line with your chisel and hammer from end to end, longways, to create a shallow notch. Generally, your notch doesn't have to be very deep to effectively hold your pictures in place.
   • If you plan on putting unframed pictures on this shelf, you'll only need a very thin notch that's not very deep. Pictures with thick frames will require thicker notches.
   • If you are a little more familiar with woodworking and have the tool available, you may find it quicker and easier to use a wood router to cut your notch.
   • In some cases, if the frame of a picture is too large, it may not fit easily or stably on this kind of shelf.^[21]

5. 5

   Sand the board. After chiseling out the notch in your board, you may have burs, splinters, or rough spots that remain in the wood. This can give your wood an unfinished look. Run a medium (60 - 100) grit sandpaper over your notch until it's smooth.^[22]

6. 6

   Prepare the leather straps. If necessary, cut your strap material so you have two straps each measuring 20" (50.8 cm). Use a leather punch to create holes in both ends of both strips. A nail will fasten the ends of each strap to the wall.

   • Depending on your home and space restrictions, you may want a low hanging shelf, or you may want one that doesn't hang much at all.^[23]

7. 7

   Attach the leather straps and shelf to the wall. It's always safest and most reliable to hang things on studs, but this small shelf will likely hang on most sturdy walls without causing damage even without a stud. To attach your hanging shelf:

   • Mark and measure two points about 10" (25.4 cm) apart, where each strap will attach to the wall. Use a level to make sure the line between the marks is flat.
   • Slide a nail through both punched holes of each leather strap so the strap forms a closed loop. Then use your hammer to hang the strap at the first mark on your wall, then do the same with the second strap.
   • Slide your wooden board, notched side facing up, into the loops formed by your leather straps. Slot pictures into the notch and enjoy your handiwork.^[24]

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• Question

  What is a picture frame shelf?

  

  David Julien is a DIY Specialist and the Principal Owner at Nice DIY based in Quebec, Canada. David specializes in creating plans to make unique, affordable, and modern home furnishings. He holds a BA in Graphic Design from the University of Quebec Outaouais. Nice DIY uses sustainable and high-quality materials to create products that are simple to make for everyone.

  

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  Expert Answer

• Question

  How do you install a picture frame shelf?

  

  David Julien is a DIY Specialist and the Principal Owner at Nice DIY based in Quebec, Canada. David specializes in creating plans to make unique, affordable, and modern home furnishings. He holds a BA in Graphic Design from the University of Quebec Outaouais. Nice DIY uses sustainable and high-quality materials to create products that are simple to make for everyone.

  

  DIY Specialist

  Expert Answer

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• Sometimes, it can be difficult holding the boards evenly together while fastening with screws. If you have this problem, use clamps to hold boards together.

• It's always best to check the levelness of your shelf before sinking the first screw attaching the shelf and the wall, as well as the last screw. This will help prevent installing the shelf crookedly or on a slant.

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• Using paint or stain can cause a toxic buildup of fumes in poorly ventilated areas. Always paint or stain in places with good airflow.

• Always exercise care when using tools. Using tools improperly can result in injury, serious harm, or death.

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Things You'll Need

• 2-inch (5 cm) screws
• 8-foot (2.44 m) long 1x2 board
• 8-foot (2.44 m) long 1x4 board (x2)
• Clamps (optional)
• Drill (and screw drill bit)
• Pencil (optional; recommended)
• Level
• Pocket hole jig (optional)
• Ruler/tape measure (optional)
• Saw (optional)

• 1x2 boards (equal in length to the perimeter of your frame; thinner boards can be used for thinner frames)
• 2-inch (5 cm) screws
• Drill
• Glue
• Level
• Picture frame
• Saw
• Wall anchors (x2)

• Chisel (approximately ¼" (.64 cm) wide)
• Clamps
• Hammer & nails
• Leather punch
• Leather strap (x2; each 20" (50.8 cm) long)
• Level
• Pencil
• Pine board (1-1/8″ (2.86 cm) thick, 12" (30.5 cm) long)
• Ruler/tape measure
• Sandpaper (optional; recommended)
• Saw (optional)

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Picture Frame Stand Drilled Into Wall

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-DIY-Picture-Frame-Shelf

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