How to Hang Art from Picture Rail Molding -

Picture rail moulding used to hang wall art in breakfast nook

I recognize that this is an incredibly *niche* post, but for those of us living in older homes, there’s a good chance you already have picture rail molding!

We lived in our rental home for nearly four years before I realized what we had on our walls. But, once I figured it out, I never looked back. (Thank you historic home tour!)

And I can’t believe I put so many unnecessary nail holes in the walls…anywho, let’s dive in.

What is Picture Rail Molding?

Picture rail molding is a kind of wooden molding, usually installed near the top of the ceiling, used to hang wall art.

They are a typically unique feature in older homes, but keep reading for my more modern solution!

Hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s carry the molding and you can even find it on Etsy.

In homes lucky enough to have crown molding, picture rail molding is often nestled just beneath it or installed a few inches below.

There’s no right or wrong way to do it!

It’s a great alternative to nailing holes in the wall and makes hanging (and moving) wall art beyond easy.

To move around the art, move the picture rail hook along the rail and adjust the cord or cable to the desired height. SO EASY.

How to Hang Art from Picture Rail Moulding

There are a couple of different ways to go about hanging art from the molding:

picture hooks
French gallery rods
picture chain or cord

I used a combination of rail hooks and French gallery rods for the picture rail molding in our house.

In the living room, I used these picture rail hooks I found on Amazon. They came with picture rail wires made of thick plastic to hang the pictures from. Not glamorous, but functional.

And in our breakfast nook, I used French gallery rods.

Admittedly, the ease of the French gallery rods and glamour cannot be beaten. Simply hang the rod over the molding and adjust the hook to the desired height.

*Pro tip – keep the art at eye level! You want the focal point to feel grounded and within sight.

Using gallery rods is the best way to save time and avoid cutting picture chains or cords to size.

The gallery rods feel more polished and substantial, but the ones from Amazon do the trick.

I may end up replacing the hooks with something a little nicer just to elevate the look a bit. House of Antique Hardware has some great and affordable options. Not that many people notice the top of the walls, but I do.

Using unique wall hooks would add a beautiful design element to our home.

The picture rail molding is such a fun architectural detail, I’m excited to bring a little more attention to it!

Picture Rail Gallery Wall Inspiration

If the idea of installing wooden molding feels intimidating or you live in a modern home with no picture rails, good news – I’ve got a workaround for you!

Try a picture rail system that comes premade and ready to hang.

This floating gallery wall is too good not to share from The Kwendy Home!

These premade wall systems would be incredible additions to the dining room, an entryway, bedrooms, and more!

The best part of these systems is how easy it is to switch out art and not worry about ruining walls or getting measurements exactly perfect.

These systems would work great for tall ceilings or along staircases to add a bit of visual interest.

Just like picture rail molding, these systems feature a moveable hook, usually on a chain, to allow you to create a gallery wall that suits your needs and space.

Just make sure you have a good wall stud for a secure attachment point!

Whether you live in an old house or a new one, adding a new picture rail or using the existing picture rail molding, will help to add charm and character to your space.

So unleash that inner art collector and make some magic!

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