What is a Picture Rail & the Benefits of Using One
Not your typical gallery wall
Picture rails are a simple and unique way to display wall art, personal photographs, and other decor in living rooms, bedrooms, or dining rooms. These eye-catching displays can be installed anywhere you would hang a traditional gallery wall, and they have several advantages beyond instantly elevating your space. You may be wondering what a picture rail is and why you might want to install one in your home – fortunately, we have the answers! Read on to learn about traditional- and modern-style picture rails and the benefits they can bring to your home.
What Is a Picture Rail?
Traditionally, a picture rail is decorative molding with a pocket on top that is used specifically to hang pictures. Picture rail hooks are hung from the molding to hang framed photographs, wall art, and decorative wall objects via chains or picture wire. Picture rail molding is usually mounted within the top 12″ of a wall and is commonly found in older houses built during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. These picture rails allowed people to easily hang artwork on the walls without having to damage the plaster by making holes – especially during an era when power tools weren’t available.
The Modern Picture Rail
While traditional picture rail molding can be installed in any home to add functionality and vintage charm, a new kind of picture rail is trending in modern interior design. This picture rail consists of a sturdy curtain rod mounted to the upper part of the wall with brackets. Chain or wire is suspended from the rod and wall art is hung from that. This method is as simple as installing a curtain rod, and looks just as great as a traditional picture rail.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Picture Rail?
There are several benefits to using a picture rail in your home, and they are the same whether you choose a traditional- or modern-style rail. The biggest advantage to using a picture rail is that you can create a gallery wall with multiple pieces of art without having to put a bunch of holes in your wall. Picture rails also allow you to easily switch out pieces of art or move them around, since all you have to do is reposition them on the rail. Lastly, both traditional and modern picture rails are unique and beautiful displays that can help you add depth and style to any room. In short, picture rails give you free reign of creativity and allow you to easily style a gorgeous gallery rail without having to commit to permanent fixtures.
