We finally put our postcard ledges up in the office of our first house after waiting more than two years. It felt like we were on the edge of something fun — and now they’re up and looking great.
We documented the full build process elsewhere, where you can see step-by-step how the shelves were made, but here I’ll explain how we adapted them for this particular space:
- First, we measured the width of the dresser that would sit beneath the ledges. The original shelves were a little too wide and looked top-heavy, so we trimmed them down.
- Using a miter saw, we shortened each shelf so they were 2″ narrower than the dresser. That small change balanced the composition and made the arrangement feel intentional.
- We decided on the vertical placement by holding the lowest shelf up at a few different heights. The spot that felt right was 16″ above the dresser, so we marked that and used a level to make sure it wasn’t crooked.
- To secure the shelves, we used 2.5″ screws through predrilled holes in each shelf. For these light, postcard-sized items, the screws were sufficient; for heavier shelving you’d want to use anchors. The predrilled holes made alignment and installation straightforward.
- There were a few celebratory high-fives along the way — part of the fun of any home project.
- To ensure consistent placement, we taped a yardstick to the wall and checked it with a level so it was perfectly vertical. That made it easy to align the left edge of each shelf.
- We spaced each shelf 9″ apart. With a helper to hold things steady, that spacing created a clean stacked look that reads well above the dresser.
- Finally, we stepped back and enjoyed the finished view. It’s amazing how small changes—trimmed shelves, careful spacing, and a straight hanging line—can transform a wall.
At that point I brought out two sets of flash cards that I’d been saving for a special spot. Clara adores these cards, so I turned the postcard ledges into little display shelves for flash cards — a simple, playful way to add color and learning to the room.
Using flash cards on the ledges does double duty: it creates inexpensive, kid-friendly artwork while offering a subtle learning opportunity. Clara likes counting the animals on each shelf, finding ones we name, and practicing initial letters. Just the other day she popped up from her crib and proudly announced, “F is for Flamingo!”
I couldn’t resist taking one more photo — I’m definitely a flash card ledge fan.
If you’re thinking about repurposing shelves or artwork from another house, consider small tweaks like trimming width, adjusting vertical spacing, or changing the displayed items to match the room’s purpose. It’s satisfying to take something you already own and give it a fresh function and place in a new room. This project was quick, inexpensive, and made a big visual impact, and I’m surprisingly proud I kept the explanation short and to the point this time — around 500 words and counting. What projects are you reworking or rehanging in your home lately?