Decorating Ideas for Ledges Above Doors

Books

• A collection of books, whether a series, an odd assortment of sizes and shapes or just a few oversize literary works, can take up space on an above-door ledge and provide visual interest. Grouping a few books vertically on each end of a ledge against decorative bookends and stacking either three or five books horizontally between the vertical books creates symmetrical balance.

Picture Frames

• Picture frames with or without pictures provide content for a bare door ledge. Options including using a few frames that vary in size and design to create an eclectic collection. Choose frames that have bright colors to make your door ledge stand out and have maximum visual impact.

Curiosities

• Instead of displaying a random collection of knickknacks, using a few items that look unusual or stand out works well. Find a unifying theme, such as color or style. Arranging the pieces in groupings of three or five provides a sense of cohesiveness, and staggering the groupings gives depth to their arrangement. With tall items near the back of the ledge, the design offers visual space for the collection's small artifacts near the ledge's front.

Boxes

• If you need just a little extra storage space for small items or odds and ends, make your above-door ledge a colorful storage area with boxes. Multicolored boxes ranging in shape can hold and organize rarely used items. You may stack the boxes on a ledge and use a decorative label on the front of each box to help keep track of each box's contents. Adding a couple of books or a color-coordinated vase creates additional visual interest for a ledge of boxes.