Commitments and Contingencies (Cole Litigation Matters) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013 lawsuit	Dec. 31, 2014 lawsuit	Nov. 18, 2013 lawsuit	Nov. 14, 2013 lawsuit	Jan. 31, 2014 lawsuit	Jan. 13, 2015 lawsuit
Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Abuse of Control, Corporate Waste, Unjust Enrichment, Aiding and Abetting Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Other Claims Relating to the Merger [Member] | Putative Class Action [Member] | Stayed Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits		3
Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Abuse of Control, Corporate Waste, Unjust Enrichment, Aiding and Abetting Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Other Claims Relating to the Merger [Member] | Putative Class Action [Member] | Settled Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement amount	$ 100,000
Claims Under The Securities Act of 1933 [Member] | Class Action [Member] | Stayed Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits		2
Breach of Fiduciary Duty [Member] | Class Action Versus American Realty Capital Properties, Cole and Cole Board of Directors [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits			11	2	8
Breach of Fiduciary Duty [Member] | Class Action Versus American Realty Capital Properties, Cole and Cole Board of Directors [Member] | Settled Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits						8
Breach of Fiduciary Duty [Member] | Amended Stipulation and Release and Agreement of Compromise and Settlement [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits							2