I started seeing these photo display boards a few years ago at a craft fair. Of course, they had to be next years Christmas projects, and they were a hit. Here are the plans for my version. There is a short and a tall board plan.
Short Board Cut List:
Qty Measurement Material
1 24” wide x 17” tall Bead board sheet
3 24” wide x 1” tall ½” mdf (or similar)
1 ~30” Door header RB4 Stock Building Supply
- Cut a piece of bead board 24” wide by 17” tall.
- Cut 3 pieces of ½” mdf (comes in a sheet at Home Depot around 2’ x 4’) for the picture rails that are 24” by 1”. In 2 of the rails cut rabbet joints 1/16” x 1/4” on 2 sides
On the 3rd rail cut a rabbet joint 1/16” x 1/4” on 1 side (this is for the bottom rail). Route around the opposite edge whatever shape you’d like, or round over with a sander.
3. (alternative rail) If you don’t have a router, you can buy 6’ of panel moulding similar to 
.
Cut 3 pieces 24” long and cut the moulding so it is 1” wide. Make rabbet joints like in section 2.
4. My favorite molding for the top of the board is the RB4 door header from Stock building supply. Lowe’s has a similar shape, but it is much shorter. Cut the main piece of top molding on 45 deg angles. The backside of the moulding should be 24” long.
Cut 2 pieces for end caps at 45 deg.
In the 24” top molding cut 2 rabbet joints. On the backside at the bottom, cut a rabbet that is ¼” deep and 1 ½” high. Then another that is 1/16” deep and ¼” high. (I usually cut these with multiple passes on the table saw.
5. Assembly time: Make sure the bottom rail (with only one rabbet joint) goes on the bottom.
Try not to get glue in the rabbet joints (grooves) where the pictures slide. Using the following dimensions and wood glue, glue and clamp each rail and top moulding in place. Allow glue to dry, minimum 1 hr.
6. Glue the top moulding end caps on. Allow glue to dry minimum 1 hr. Clean off any excess glue.
7. Time for painting. Since the rails are made from mdf they Must be primed before painting. MDF will soak up your paint, and the finish will look different than the rest of the board if not primed. Give the rails a couple of coats with latex primer. Allow to dry.
8. I highly suggest using spray paint. Spray paint goes on smooth, and gives the board a nice finish. Allow your spray paint to dry.
9. Apply antiquing glaze. With a foam brush, paint glaze into grooves and corners. Use a damp rag/paper towel remove excess glaze, and a dry rag/paper towel to clean up surfaces leaving glaze where you want. Allow the glaze to dry.
10. Apply a vinyl saying.
11. To hang the board, I like to use a keyhole router bit (so I’m not buying hanging hardware for each project). But picture frame hangers will do.
12. Show off your new picture board with your favorite 4×6, 6×4 prints.
Pin it for later
PDF Plans for Short Picture Board
PDF Plans for Tall Picture Board
These are beautiful……thank you for publishing the directions !! Will make both, hopefully soon 🙂
Thanks again. Pam
Great idea! Thanks for the how-to! I’d be thrilled if you’d link up at this week’s Off the Hook!
This is really great, Amy! Such a neat way to display family photos! Thanks for the great tutorial!
Ooo I love this so much! Turned out beautiful!
Love this. Pinned!!
How cool!! Never seen them before now!! Plus, your plans and stuff…all pro like!!
Thanks for sharing!
Wow, I love this idea and never seen these, either! You did a great job and included clear instructions. I could see why these are a hit! Found you at Creative Spark Linky Party and pinning. 🙂
Thank you!
Stopping by from Twirl & Take a Bow link party. This is such a great idea! It’s always nice to be able to change photos. Pinning!
Saw your post over at Strut your Stuff Saturday! I love this project! Thank you so much for posting the directions!
Gina @ Always Savory
Love this idea! I shared it in my latest roundup and features on my blog today:
http://www.avisiontoremember.com/2014/08/decorating-on-budget-ideas-plus.html
Thanks again for linking up to the Creative Exchange link party! Hope to see you again this thursday!
Both your picture boards are fabulous! Your tutorial makes me think I could actually pull this off. Thanks for sharing with Creative Spark Link Party, I hope you’ll join us again tomorrow.
Glenna @ My Paper Craze
i salvaged about 20 of these tops of doors and they are too shallow to put much on them as shelves – they will be perfect as the top of these photo boards! thanks for the idea!
I know there are sites you can order similar types of boards to be.made but I don’t have the names of those anymore. Do you have the names of any sites that make these type of boards???
Anyway you could provide a link to the mdd panels and the door header? I’ve searched and can’t find the ones you used. Thank you.
Here’s a link to the door header http://www.stockbuildingsupply.com/stock/Moulding-Millwork/Casing-Door-Window-Moulding/Primed-MDF-Casing-RB4-1-1-4-x-5-1-4/p/MDFCRB4PR
You can get the 1/2″ mdf in small sheets 2’x4′ http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-2-in-x-2-ft-x-4ft-Medium-Density-Fiberboard-1508108/202089097 or by the full sheet 4’x8′.