The Clever Ledge: Where and How to Use It
Sometimes a ledge — not a shelf — is what you need for form and function. Here’s our room-by-room guide
Nicole Jacobs
February 10, 2017
Houzz Contributor. Designer and operations director at Zenno Design + Build, a full-service design, renovation and custom-build firm based in Hamilton, Canada. Nicole has been a design consultant for a production builder, and has independently overseen design, renovation and styling projects of all scopes and scales through her own firm, Nicole Jacobs Design. She has been a writer of home, real estate and lifestyle articles for over a decade.
Houzz Contributor. Designer and operations director at Zenno Design + Build, a full-service... More
One of my favorite unsung heroes of home design is the ledge. Its function is similar to a shelf, since you can put stuff on both. But shelves and ledges differ in terms of form.
While a shelf is a horizontal piece affixed to a wall, a ledge may be built out of the wall like a ridge (framed into the wall and finished), built on top of a half wall or created from some trim work. Ledges can be deep or shallow, offering a variety of uses. If you’re renovating or building, you might consider adding this pragmatic design detail for interest, depth and function. If you already have a ledge, consider the following ways to put it to good use.
While a shelf is a horizontal piece affixed to a wall, a ledge may be built out of the wall like a ridge (framed into the wall and finished), built on top of a half wall or created from some trim work. Ledges can be deep or shallow, offering a variety of uses. If you’re renovating or building, you might consider adding this pragmatic design detail for interest, depth and function. If you already have a ledge, consider the following ways to put it to good use.
1. Foyer
Build a ledge into the wall as part of the trim or molding as a way to add function and smoothly incorporate an architectural element.
Trimmed out. In this entry area, a rail ledge caps off the board-and-batten molding, creating visual interest and adding depth to the narrow space. Hooks are installed beneath the ledge for bags or coats, and the capping with the ledge gives them a finished look. The ledge also becomes a place to display 3-D decor such as the lettering spelling out “Love.”
Build a ledge into the wall as part of the trim or molding as a way to add function and smoothly incorporate an architectural element.
Trimmed out. In this entry area, a rail ledge caps off the board-and-batten molding, creating visual interest and adding depth to the narrow space. Hooks are installed beneath the ledge for bags or coats, and the capping with the ledge gives them a finished look. The ledge also becomes a place to display 3-D decor such as the lettering spelling out “Love.”
Half wall, fully designed. Your home may have a half wall, sometimes called a pony or knee wall, as a partition between rooms. In newer construction, it’s often employed as a cost-effective staircase rail solution, since it’s cheaper to frame and drywall a half wall than to install wooden spindles or decorative newel posts. Here, instead of leaving the half wall as plain drywall, the designer topped it with a finishing piece, creating a decorative ledge that adds visual interest.
This photo is a good illustration of the difference between a ledge and a shelf, as it also shows a reclaimed wood shelf, affixed to the lower half of the left wall, used here for displaying tea lights.
This photo is a good illustration of the difference between a ledge and a shelf, as it also shows a reclaimed wood shelf, affixed to the lower half of the left wall, used here for displaying tea lights.
Ledge completer piece. Here, the half wall separating the main entrance from this living room is treated with a sharp wainscoting molding and capped by trim that looks more interesting than plain drywall would have. This ledge is clutter-free, but it could also be styled with fresh flowers, a row of books or even a lamp.
2. Kitchen
A smart place to consider building a ledge is the kitchen, where we often need a little extra functionality.
Backsplash ledge. Here’s a great example of a backsplash ledge made out of listellos, a tile finishing piece. The ledge is deep enough to accommodate kitchen items such as small potted plants, spices or bottles, perhaps filled with soap or hand lotion.
A smart place to consider building a ledge is the kitchen, where we often need a little extra functionality.
Backsplash ledge. Here’s a great example of a backsplash ledge made out of listellos, a tile finishing piece. The ledge is deep enough to accommodate kitchen items such as small potted plants, spices or bottles, perhaps filled with soap or hand lotion.
Banquette ledge. A banquette is a classic way to build a large eating area into a smaller space. The ledge created here by the back of the bench seating acts as a buffer from the windows and is an ideal spot for flowers or other decorative items.
Bar ledge. Many homes and apartments have small kitchens that have been opened up with a pass-through, such as this one. No room for an island? The ledge on the half wall of this kitchen cut-through works for this homeowner as a breakfast bar area, thanks to additional extended counter material installed on top. A bonus shelf is added above for decorative serving pieces and pottery.
3. Bedroom
Small bedrooms are often a challenge to design, in terms of placing necessary main furniture pieces and still having space for our lamps, books and other accessories. Built-in ledges can be the solution because they don’t take up precious floor real estate.
Bed ledge. Here, a bold wall treatment of dark-stained horizontal wood planks is applied around the bed with an extended wooden ledge, acting as a dramatic and creative alternative to a bedside table.
Small bedrooms are often a challenge to design, in terms of placing necessary main furniture pieces and still having space for our lamps, books and other accessories. Built-in ledges can be the solution because they don’t take up precious floor real estate.
Bed ledge. Here, a bold wall treatment of dark-stained horizontal wood planks is applied around the bed with an extended wooden ledge, acting as a dramatic and creative alternative to a bedside table.
Behind the bed ledge. Clever design is evident in this small bedroom, where a ledge is built out of a wall between two closets, with just enough space to tuck in the bed. Again, there’s no need for bedside tables since the ledge behind the bed serves as the spot to arrange books and art.
4. Living Room
Sometimes we inherit quirky things in our homes, such as walls that have been built out in spots for no apparent reason. Often, in older homes, plumbing, electrical or HVAC elements were upgraded, and the wall was boxed out to accommodate them. If your home has a quirk like this, make it work for you. Add some decorative trim and create a ledge to display books, art or other items.
Sometimes we inherit quirky things in our homes, such as walls that have been built out in spots for no apparent reason. Often, in older homes, plumbing, electrical or HVAC elements were upgraded, and the wall was boxed out to accommodate them. If your home has a quirk like this, make it work for you. Add some decorative trim and create a ledge to display books, art or other items.
Fireplace ledge. This modern fireplace treatment is a bold focal point in this living room. The ledge is a place to lean artwork and may even be deep enough to provide additional seating for this small space.
Radiator ledge. Those of us with radiant heating know that radiators are difficult to furnish around. Instead of a typical cover, this homeowner designed an extensive bookcase built out of the wall, the top of which acts as a deep ledge. Painted dark, it adds visual weight and grounds the room. It’s a functional and stylish solution — and the radiator nearly disappears.
Picture ledge. Not quite a floating shelf and not a built-in architectural element, this treatment is perhaps the most cost-effective way of using a ledge in your home. Made fairly simply from inexpensive strips of wood, the picture rail is installed in the wall and used to arrange art and photography in an informal way. Here, the rails are painted the same color as the wall, blending in while still adding some depth.
5. Bathroom
Ledges also have great utility in the bathroom, as they can act as dividers between the shower and toilet zones, as well as being pretty useful for storing toiletries.
Shower ledge. If you’re building or renovating a bathroom, a ledge in the shower should be on your wish list. Who wants shampoo bottles sitting in the corner on the floor? Here, a shallow, tiled marble ledge is built out of the shower wall. And see the bonus ledge? A deeper ledge is built right into the shower — that’s a ledge we can actually call a bench. Decadent? Maybe. Gorgeous? Absolutely.
Ledges also have great utility in the bathroom, as they can act as dividers between the shower and toilet zones, as well as being pretty useful for storing toiletries.
Shower ledge. If you’re building or renovating a bathroom, a ledge in the shower should be on your wish list. Who wants shampoo bottles sitting in the corner on the floor? Here, a shallow, tiled marble ledge is built out of the shower wall. And see the bonus ledge? A deeper ledge is built right into the shower — that’s a ledge we can actually call a bench. Decadent? Maybe. Gorgeous? Absolutely.
Toilet ledge. A nice separation of the toilet area from the vanity adds privacy here, and the trimmed-out top ledge creates a spot for towels and other details.
The free-standing tub ledge. The plumbing for the free-standing tub is housed in the wall boxout of this bathroom, creating a ledge. This one is clear of clutter, but it could be used to rest a glass of wine and a book during a relaxing evening soak.
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A number of years ago, I designed a very small, narrow kitchen that had been a closet. I made the base cabinets 18" deep. In order to install a dishwasher drawer I recessed it into the wall & created a ledge in the sleep alcove on the other side. The client loved it.
In this bathroom I created a ledge over footings. It continues along the exterior thru the shower
These are great ideas for ledges.
I love a well placed ledge.