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    Home » my-1923-house

    Picture rail molding

    Published: Jan 26, 2023 by Susan Moncrieff · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

    Picture rail is what you often find in older homes. It's used to hang pictures, mirrors and various kinds of artwork.  Sounds so simple, doesn't it?  When people come to my home, they don't recognize what this moulded picture rail is.  It looks like fancy crown molding. My crown molding looks really hefty and part of that is the picture rail is attached right under the crown molding (it's almost a part of the crown molding).

    a picture rail hook attached to the picture rail molding with a ribbon attached to it. this to Pinterest

    So you can get a better idea of how the picture rail works, my mirror is hung from it.  See the two picture rail hooks on the picture rail?   I used picture hanging wire to hang the mirror from the picture rail molding.  I used two hooks to distribute the weight and attached the wire to both hanging eyes on the back of the frame.

    picture rail molding used to hang a decorative mirror

    Table of contents

    • How do picture rails moldings work?
    • Hanging pictures on chains
    • How to hang pictures from a picture rail
    • Where to buy picture rail hooks
    • Reasons to use picture rail moulding?
      • I love the character it adds to my 100 year old home
      • Hanging up pictures is easy!
      • My walls don't get damaged.
      • No tools required!
      • No need to find a stud
      • Changing my artwork is so easy!
      • It's a landlord's dream!
      • The wooden picture rail is a visual divider on the wall
      • A gallery wall would be so easy and fun!
      • Add character by adding a traditional picture rail
      • I can creatively hang things!
    • What not to do with a picture rail
    • FAQs
    • Other posts about my 1920's house.

    How do picture rails moldings work?

    Basically, you slide on a picture hook and then you use whatever hanging medium you would like. My mirror is hung with picture hanging wire. The wire has a weight rating so I knew it would be strong enough to hold the weight of the mirror.

    I've hung lighter decor items using ribbon on picture hooks or as some people call them, picture hangers.

    home decor hanging from picture rail

    Hanging pictures on chains

    You can also use a fine chain.  Like I have with this decor piece. As an FYI, you can buy chain like this at the hardware store. It's the cheapest place to get it.

    decor hanging from vintage picture rail

    Here is a close-up look. Below is a simple picture of picture rail moulding in my sunroom.  And the things that hook into the railing are just called picture rail hangers. My sunroom has a very simple rail approximately 2 feet from the ceiling to show off the curved walls near the ceiling. The other pictures show a more custom picture rail that is part of the crown molding.

    picture hook with chain hanging on a picture rail molding.

    How to hang pictures from a picture rail

    A few weeks ago, one of my friends brought her brother over to see my 100-year-old house. He is an engineer and was trying to figure out the details of how these work. Because he did that, I know how to show you where the hooks go!

    So here is what the trim with the picture rail looks like.

    crown molding and picture rails

    And a close-up.  The picture rail molding has space to slide the picture rail hangers into/onto them.

    close up of crown molding with original picture rail

    See the gap?  That's what the picture hooks get slid into.  The picture hooks in the picture below came with the house.  The previous owners dropped off a bag of assorted metal parts, including some of these. I treasure the contents of that bag!

    picture hooks on the picture rail.

    Where to buy picture rail hooks

    I was scouring every antique and vintage shop I could find to try to get more of these.  Unfortunately, these just disappear and probably get thrown out when old homes are updated or demolished.   If anyone has any they don't want, reach out to me! I'll happily take them off your hands.

    I finally found where to purchase reasonably priced new ones. Here is where I purchased a variety of picture rail hooks.   I was truly surprised I could buy them so easily. My advice is to buy one of a type you are interested in prior to buying a bunch.

    Reasons to use picture rail moulding?

    I love the character it adds to my 100 year old home

    It's different from most homes and as someone who loves antiques, I've enjoyed figuring out why they were used and how to use them.

    Hanging up pictures is easy!

    I just install a hook, and use whatever hanging medium I'd like.  I have used ribbon, picture hanging wire, and even smaller chains from the hardware store.  Traditionally perlon cord was used (sometimes with a matching medallion with tassels) but I have not used that yet.

    I also don't need to use a stud finder! As long as I don't hang something that is crazy heavy, it's fine to hang from my picture moulding.

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    My walls don't get damaged.

    lath walls with know wiring showing

    I have lath and plaster walls. It's hard to put a nail into it. Behind the plaster, it's not always all wood. I have a cement-like layer between the wood. If I hit that when hammering or drilling, it breaks off and falls between my wall. Here's what my walls look like when the plaster is taken off.  This picture also shows the knob and tube wiring that I had removed from my house.

    If I am eyeballing the placement of the piece I'm trying to hang, I haven't put a hole in the wall that needs to be repaired. I just shorten or lengthen my chain/rope/ribbon with no damage done! I don't have to worry about primer and matching the paint either!!

    No tools required!

    I don't need a drill, hammer, nails, screws, wall anchors, or any other tool to try to hang my artwork. I put on a hanger, and hang my piece!

    No need to find a stud

    The location of the wall stud won't determine where you hang your art! And, you don't have to try to find that dang studfinder!

    Changing my artwork is so easy!

    I have some that I change seasonally Because it's so easy, I can!!

    It's a landlord's dream!

    I'm not a landlord, but I know a few with older homes that still have the old rail systems as part of their interior design. The tenants and the landlords don't need to worry about damage caused by tenants personalizing their living environment by hanging art!  No nail holes in the plaster or drywall.

    The wooden picture rail is a visual divider on the wall

    I have some architectural features that are emphasized by the placement of the rail. It also gives you more options for dividing the wall/ceiling paint colors. I'm debating painting a different color under the rail in my sunroom.

    A gallery wall would be so easy and fun!

    You can now buy a modern picture rail so you can easily have a gallery rail for a gallery wall (did you keep up on that one?).  It's the modern alternative!

    Modern Picture Rail

    Don't you just love the look of this? 
    (click on the image above to see purchase details)

    Add character by adding a traditional picture rail

    Part of my home was damaged when I purchased it. I'm looking at adding a rail in that section because I miss the convenience of it when hanging a wall decoration. Everything looks so new in that room - I feel I need to add the character back! Just so you know, you can buy picture rail molding (priced by the linear foot) at Amazon, if you can't find it at your local hardware/lumber store.

    I can creatively hang things!

    Look how I hung my curtain rods! I will admit I was warned not to hang heavy curtains. I love how I can easily raise or lower the rod (my curtains shrunk when I washed them). All I had to do was lengthen the chain!

    Hope I have given you some interesting information! I love my picture rails and think they add to a classic and elegant look for displaying artwork!

    What not to do with a picture rail

    Do not use this for plates. It's not a place to put plates on. And, it's not a way to hang plates. I tried to hang plates and it was not a successful experience!  I was unable to get the plates to sit closer to the wall. Not everything I try works out.

    hanging plates from a picture rail

    Don't try the above at home!

    FAQs

    Is it spelled picture rail molding or picture rail moulding?

    I have been using the terms interchangeable. It's molding in the U.S. and moulding in places like Canada and England.

    Where can I buy these hooks online?

    At Amazon - picture rail hooks

    What if I want to buy the actual wooden picture rails?

    I have heard some stores that sell lumber have them. I have not seen them and perhaps you need to go to a more specialty lumber storem. However you can purchase wooden picture rail molding online

    Other posts about my 1920's house.

    If you'd like to see more about my home, take a look at some of these posts.

    My kitchen renovation - I bought a house without a kitchen! 

    My whole electrical system had to be updated!
    My house had Knob and Tube Wiring.

    Crystal Doorknobs, & Skeleton keys - Mortise locks

    ***Originally published Feb. 16, 2020.

    More my-1923-house

    • Knob and tube wiring
    • Increasing the humidity in a dry house.
    • My old home locks - skeleton keys, mortise locks & doorknobs.
    • Styling the inside of a built-in with painted baskets
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    1. Linda Johnston

      February 19, 2020 at 10:52 am

      there are many historical homes open for visitors that use these. In Hong Kong they were common years ago. It saves those plastered walls with no holding power! Smart of you to use them.

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 20, 2020 at 10:26 am

        I consider myself so lucky that these picture rails are there. Now, I'm just trying to creatively use them!

        Reply
    2. Maria Brittis

      February 18, 2020 at 12:22 pm

      You have such a beautiful home. You have done such a great job in keeping the character and so much love has gone into it.

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 20, 2020 at 10:40 am

        Thanks for the nice comment. It truly is a labor of love!

        Reply
    3. Deana Landers

      February 17, 2020 at 9:37 pm

      My family still lives in a home more tha 100 years old. This is beautiful. I love it

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 20, 2020 at 10:41 am

        Old homes have character - Some of us love the character (and the work)!

        Reply
    4. Lori Nell

      February 17, 2020 at 1:36 pm

      What a beautiful detail in your 100 year old home.Sooo glad you preserved it. Well done Susan!

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 20, 2020 at 10:42 am

        Thank you Lori! I love the detail and character. And am working very hard to preserve it!

        Reply
    5. Barbara Chapman

      February 17, 2020 at 11:40 am

      Hi Susan! How nice that your home still has its picture rails and so much beautiful molding... When I was 4-5 1/2 years old, my parents lived in Boulder, Colorado while my father was going to law school there. We lived in a beautiful Queen Anne home and I remember so many little things about that home which directly affect my decorating tastes today. Love how you've hung the mirror! It is beautiful in its spot there. <3

      Happy belated Valentine's to you and Happy Presidents' Day,
      Hugs,
      Barb 🙂

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 20, 2020 at 10:43 am

        Those old homes are just so memorable, aren't they! My biggest challenge in decorating this house is that the decor needs to fit the house, not just my taste!

        Reply
    6. Meegan

      February 17, 2020 at 11:21 am

      See this, brings back so many memories of my grandma's home. I really like this idea and style. It is lovely and inviting. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    7. Michelle Leslie

      February 17, 2020 at 9:41 am

      I remember my Ouma had picture rails in her home and I've always wanted them. They make life so much easier. Why oh why did we decide that it wasn't an in thing anymore. Love your beautiful home BTW Susan. It has so much character

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 20, 2020 at 10:44 am

        You can still add picture rails! I had some work done on the upstairs walls in a bedroom and they had to take the original picture rail off. Instead of using crown molding, picture rail molding exists!

        Reply
    8. Suesan

      February 17, 2020 at 8:13 am

      Those are gorgeous! I love all the beautiful woodwork in your home!

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 20, 2020 at 10:45 am

        I love the woodwork! And am trying to figure out how to lighten the decor without painting it!

        Reply
    9. Patti

      February 17, 2020 at 7:36 am

      What a beautiful house. I love taking house tours and the older ones have so much character. New homes can be lovely too but I think I tend to like older homes like yours. I bet you are just thrilled with this purchase. Though it takes time to get it where you want it, I think that is half the fun. Looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful home.

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 20, 2020 at 10:46 am

        Thanks Patty! This home is a dream come true for me. Life turns out in mysterious ways and this house has been so much fun to work on!

        Reply

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    I'm Susan Moncrieff! I love sharing easy recipes, especially those that take less than 30 minutes and have less than 5 ingredients. I'm passionate about gardening and creating flower planters. My home is 100 years old and sometimes you will see it in my posts! It was a true fixer upper and I love it!

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