4 New Uses for Old Plates

I wonder where the idea of displaying plates as art came from? For sure, those who collected rare blue and white china hundreds of years ago put their treasures on display. Later, maybe folks who couldn’t afford art put up their pretty dishes for decoration, first on plate racks and then–“Hey, why not directly on the wall?”

And then there’s us, with that china from Aunt Madie we’re trying to decide what to do with. Or maybe you’re that person who can’t say no to endless patterns of flea market and thrift store crockery!

I cannot lie–I love decorating with plates!  It costs very little and it’s such an easy, creative way to add instant style to nearly any room in your house.

Need inspiration? Start with something as simple as a piece of art and some white plates!

For this glam-styled Airbnb project, the black painted wall provides a striking background for Audrey Hepburn and plates that mimic polka dots. I used the photo print as the center point and grouped the plates symmetrically around it. Ta-DAH!

How about a rustic version of the same idea: in this staging job for a realtor, I used the board and wreath for the center, and more white plates and other decorative pieces around it. What could be simpler? But it’s a lot of bang for your buck!

What could be more natural than plates in the kitchen?  Yes, for eating on.  But I mean to decorate with! I mounted these cuties right on the backsplash.  Similarly inspired?  Just use Command strips to avoid damage to your tiles.

Now, the beauty of white stoneware is the infinite variety of shapes available. Whether new or a garage sale find, you can just mix it all up!  I balanced out the visual weight of the wall clock in this dining room with a grouping of white platters.

Symmetry not required! If you’re nervous about groupings, lay out the arrangement on the floor on a piece of brown craft paper. When you’re satisfied with how it looks, trace the plates.  If you press the plate down a bit ((best done on rug or carpet), the hanger will make a little indent, and you can pre-mark where your nail will go. Then tape the paper on the wall to show the placement, tap in the nails at the marked spots, pull off the paper and use it as a guide to hang your pretties!

Of course, SOME of us have a little more of a “by-guess-and-by-gosh” method–and a lot of holes in our walls! (That’s what they make spackle for, right?)

 The dining nook at our house benefits from a cheery arrangement of plates I hung there on the shiplap.  I mix the gingham and the white and the transferware–it all works! And of course (because I am that person who can’t resist the flea market china) I have other novelty plates that I love to mix in for seasons and holidays.

Do you have some heritage china or cute home store plates that you really like but can’t figure out what to do with?   Let’s talk!