HGTV.comHGTV.com

Picture Rails

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-616 -- More Projects »
Home expert Ben Allen demonstrates how to creatively display photographs and artwork by making picture rails.

  • A picture rail is simply a piece of molding that is mounted near the ceiling from which you hang pictures with thin wire. This allows pictures to be mounted without hammering a lot of nails into plaster. It also makes it easy to change decorating schemes.
PHOTO

Figure A
PHOTO

Figure B
  • The rail doesn't even have to be a molding. A copper tube makes an elegant and functional picture rail for a concrete wall (figure A).

  • To complement the decor in a den or other masculine room, consider a natural picture rail made out of a tree branch (figure B). Hang pictures with rustic twine.

  • Picture rails are typically mounted 10 to 16 inches from the ceiling, depending on the room and your personal tastes.

  • To mount a picture rail, first draw a straight line on the wall with a level. The picture rail needs to be mounted to wall studs, so use an electronic stud finder to locate mounting points. An electric razor can also be used to find a stud. Just turn on the razor and press it against the wall. The sound will change, becoming noticeably less hollow, when the razor passes over a stud.

  • Choose a piece of molding with a lip along the top. Drill mounting holes every 16 inches in the molding--that's how far apart wall studs are spaced.

  • Hold the rail against the wall and use an electric screwdriver to mount with wood screws. Fill in the holes with wood putty.

  • Fit S-hooks onto the molding lip and hang picture wire on the hooks.

  • For creating room-length picture rails, use a miter box to cut joints in the moldings.
    • Resources
    Decorating 1-2-3: Faux Painting, Wallpapering, Window Treatments, Floors, Molding & Trim...
    by Home Depot; Ben Allen, Editor
    Meredith Corporation, 2000
    Order this title from Amazon.com.
    The full title is Decorating 1-2-3: Faux Painting, Wallpapering, Window Treatments, Floors, Molding & Trim, Lighting, Step-By-Step.

    Guests
    Ben Allen
    Executive Editor, Meredith Corporation, 1-2-3 Books
    Headquarters
    1716 Locust St.
    Des Moines, IA 50309-3023
    Phone: 515-284-2415
    Toll-free: 800-678-8091
    E-mail: HI123@mdp.com
    Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-616
    •Show Me the Money
    •Decorating for Men
    •Picture Rails
    •Smart Solution of the Day
    HGTV.com
    Services Popular Content About
    Our Sister Sites

    Comparison Shop for Home Decor & Garden Tools at Shopzilla & BizRate

    UpMyStreet and uSwitch.com provide UK comparison services.

    © 2008 Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.