Why Plates Not Pictures Are What You Should Hang On Your Walls
Uninspired by the art on your walls? Swap it for plates – from designer finds to boot fair and even supermarket buys
Lucy Searle
28 January 2018
Houzz Contributor. Editor in Chief of RealHomes.com. I am an editor, journalist, web and copywriter. I was Editor of the hugely successful www.channel4.com/4homes, taking it from a small site to a leading brand. I was also founding Editor of Channel 4’s 4Homes magazine, was Associate Editor at Ideal Home and have written for MSN, Huffington Post, Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors, Beautiful Kitchens, House Beautiful, Good Homes, and many women’s titles. I founded www.tailoredcontent.co.uk with a fellow journalist and together we blog, write web content and run social media accounts for (mostly) interiors companies. As a general rule, I write about everything from buying and selling property, self build, DIY, design and consumer issues to gardening but have tackled travel and family...
Houzz Contributor. Editor in Chief of RealHomes.com. I am an editor, journalist,... More
Putting plates on your walls instead of artwork can really pack a punch. Why? Their shapes are much more varied and interesting, they can be packed with colour and pattern, and they will add texture to an otherwise plain space. Be inspired by these clever ideas.
Line a shelf
A linear plate-hanging pattern is a neat way to draw the eye along a wall (which can make a room seem longer or wider), but an even better idea than hanging them is to paint a long shelf the same colour as the wall behind and stand plates – and other pretty finds – along its length. That way, you can swap things in and out as you find them.
Get more plate décor inspiration in the Houzz photo stream
A linear plate-hanging pattern is a neat way to draw the eye along a wall (which can make a room seem longer or wider), but an even better idea than hanging them is to paint a long shelf the same colour as the wall behind and stand plates – and other pretty finds – along its length. That way, you can swap things in and out as you find them.
Get more plate décor inspiration in the Houzz photo stream
Colour coordinate
If you like a cohesive look, choose plates to match your furnishings, with colours picked out in exactly the right proportions. Here, the main colour of the room – dictated by the door paint shade and sofa cushions – is blue, while the accent colour is red. The plates, meanwhile, are also mainly blue with a scattering of red designs. Simple but effective.
If you like a cohesive look, choose plates to match your furnishings, with colours picked out in exactly the right proportions. Here, the main colour of the room – dictated by the door paint shade and sofa cushions – is blue, while the accent colour is red. The plates, meanwhile, are also mainly blue with a scattering of red designs. Simple but effective.
Choose texture over colour
If your room is mostly neutral with smooth, streamlined surfaces, adding natural texture will make it feel warmer, more welcoming and more interesting. Greys of all tones are on-trend shades for walls and look wonderful combined with wood and basketwork. For best effect, choose mostly patterned, chunky designs mixed with the odd plain basketwork plate for relief.
If your room is mostly neutral with smooth, streamlined surfaces, adding natural texture will make it feel warmer, more welcoming and more interesting. Greys of all tones are on-trend shades for walls and look wonderful combined with wood and basketwork. For best effect, choose mostly patterned, chunky designs mixed with the odd plain basketwork plate for relief.
Make a shape
Hanging plates in a random or loose pattern creates a laid-back look that’s easy to achieve. But if you want to conjure up a more formal feel – perhaps for a smart dining space like this one – use matching or sets of plates to make a well-defined shape on the wall. It needn’t be absolutely perfect, but if you’re a fan of symmetry, copy this flawlessly mirrored layout.
Hanging plates in a random or loose pattern creates a laid-back look that’s easy to achieve. But if you want to conjure up a more formal feel – perhaps for a smart dining space like this one – use matching or sets of plates to make a well-defined shape on the wall. It needn’t be absolutely perfect, but if you’re a fan of symmetry, copy this flawlessly mirrored layout.
Pick a theme
Worried your choice of plates won’t work? Just as you might hang a group of pictures with matching frames or a single pictorial theme (perhaps every image is of butterflies or all are black and white family portraits), using a similar technique with plates will help you to create a mix that’s instantly comfortable and coordinated.
Worried your choice of plates won’t work? Just as you might hang a group of pictures with matching frames or a single pictorial theme (perhaps every image is of butterflies or all are black and white family portraits), using a similar technique with plates will help you to create a mix that’s instantly comfortable and coordinated.
Cut to size
An eclectic mix of plates is perfect for creating a vintage feel in a kitchen, living space or bedroom, but you can give it a stand-out contemporary edge if you cut the plates, like here, to make a square edge for your display (check out instruction videos online).
An eclectic mix of plates is perfect for creating a vintage feel in a kitchen, living space or bedroom, but you can give it a stand-out contemporary edge if you cut the plates, like here, to make a square edge for your display (check out instruction videos online).
Replace a mirror
Hanging an extra-large plate in place of a more traditional mirror – perhaps over a fireplace – can create a happy visual surprise. Plain rather than painted, patterned designs tend to look better floating on a wall on their own. However, what you choose does need a certain something to help it hold its own, which is why this plate, with a reflective finish and etched pattern, works so well here.
Hanging an extra-large plate in place of a more traditional mirror – perhaps over a fireplace – can create a happy visual surprise. Plain rather than painted, patterned designs tend to look better floating on a wall on their own. However, what you choose does need a certain something to help it hold its own, which is why this plate, with a reflective finish and etched pattern, works so well here.
Paint your plates
If you want to create a coordinated display of plates in a room but can’t quite find the right colour combination, why not paint them to suit? As long as you use an oil-based paint (and don’t put them in the dishwasher), you can achieve a display like this swiftly and cheaply. Then, you could always paint patterns at a china painting workshop to add to the mix.
If you want to create a coordinated display of plates in a room but can’t quite find the right colour combination, why not paint them to suit? As long as you use an oil-based paint (and don’t put them in the dishwasher), you can achieve a display like this swiftly and cheaply. Then, you could always paint patterns at a china painting workshop to add to the mix.
Arrange to suit the space
You might notice that all the plate groupings are within touching distance of a piece of furniture, a vase, a fireplace… except the symmetrical display (picture 4). So, here’s the rule that will make your plate-hanging successful: if it’s a neat shape, it can sit on a wall on its own; if it’s random, like this one, it looks better if it’s closely connected to something else.
Browse pretty plates in the Houzz Shop
You might notice that all the plate groupings are within touching distance of a piece of furniture, a vase, a fireplace… except the symmetrical display (picture 4). So, here’s the rule that will make your plate-hanging successful: if it’s a neat shape, it can sit on a wall on its own; if it’s random, like this one, it looks better if it’s closely connected to something else.
Browse pretty plates in the Houzz Shop
Space according to size
This right royal display of QEII plates is closely hung to create a neat, tight-knit group. But how much air can you leave between your plates? The answer is that it depends on the plates’ proportions. Larger ones can be more spaced out than smaller ones (although they’ll work close together, too). To get the grouping just right, lay them on the floor first.
What kind of plates would you display in these ways, and where? Share your thoughts or tips in the Comments section.
This right royal display of QEII plates is closely hung to create a neat, tight-knit group. But how much air can you leave between your plates? The answer is that it depends on the plates’ proportions. Larger ones can be more spaced out than smaller ones (although they’ll work close together, too). To get the grouping just right, lay them on the floor first.
What kind of plates would you display in these ways, and where? Share your thoughts or tips in the Comments section.
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Was dolly China sets a thing in the 80s? Was too busy going out clubbing then
For a few years I used to collect a characteristic plate from each holiday destination -- good memories as well as decoration. But yes, they do collect dust and i haven't put them up in the current house.