Hanging a collection of plates on a wall is hardly a “trend”. People having been doing this for ages, probably dating back to the cavemen. (Don’t quote me.)
Plate walls can bring interest to a blank space by adding color and pattern. Too traditional for your liking? Remind you of your grandmother’s dining room? I know, I know. BUT I think plate walls are making a comeback, and they look more collected and eclectic this time around.
Recently I worked on a combination dining/living room for a client, and I decided on a plate collection for her wall. I wanted to tweak the classic recipe to make sure it felt fresh and modern, perhaps a bit bohemian. I hunted down bold patterns and colors on plates everywhere from Etsy to Crate & Barrel.
If you like the idea of a plate wall, but want to make sure it doesn’t read too traditional, I have a few tips.
PLATES ON A WALL CAN FEEL FRESH & MODERN IF YOU…
1. Use a variety of sizes.
2. Pick bold pops of color and lots of different patterns.
3. Hang in a “scattered” gathering rather than a symmetrical pattern.
MY BEST TIP OF THE POST
Ok, if you’re going to hang plates you HAVE to use these disk plate hangers. I discovered them a few years ago. Back then I had to order them from Europe, but now Hobby Lobby sells them. They are the BEST. All you do is wet the disk and press onto the back of a plate. Then let it dry overnight, and it is completely adhered to the surface. Hang a nail or screw in the wall, and then add your plate! None of those awful, gold spring-loaded plate holders of the olden days. Plus if you want to remove them, you just soak your plate overnight and the disks come right off. They are one my very favorite little tools.
RECENT E-DECOR PROJECT
Below is a little snapshot of the E-Decor project this plate wall belongs to. The style for the project was part “bohemian” part “industrial”, and the design used a lot of the clients’ existing furniture. It was a fun project, and soon I’ll get to show you actual rooms pics once everything has been ordered and installed.
MORE PLATE WALLS, PLEASE?
If you’d like to see some fun plate walls for inspiration, I added several of my favorites to my “Interior Styling” board on Pinterest.
I sometimes feel like “plates on a wall” should only be used in rooms where it makes sense for them to be…a kitchen or dining room. I’ve seen them used in bedrooms above the bed and in living rooms and feel a little weird about it.
Q: What do y’all think? Can plates on a wall work in “non-eating” spaces?
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I am so inspired by your design boards! They are stunning, and I am sure so incredibly valuable to your client. I just can’t get over how well designed they are…so much attention paid to the smallest of details. really lovely!
Aww, thank you so much Emily! That means a lot coming from you.
How was I not following you on Pinterest? Took care of that one. I have a couple plates mixed in my gallery wall in my living room. I love using different shapes and sizes in a gallery wall so a plate does the trick for sure. I don’t have a free wall in my dining room, otherwise it’d be fun to have a plate wall. And I think you can make a plate wall work in other rooms…I’ve seen some awesome examples above a bed.
Hah! I’m with ya’ on the variety of shapes/sizes. At some point I want to use a whole wall with a huge range of sizes from tea cup saucers to platters. (I feel like anything in a large collection looks like it came from Anthropologie.) I’m still torn about them above a bed, but technically my thought of “only use them in a room where you eat” doesn’t fly since we eat in bed. A lot. LOL.
I love my plate wall. 🙂 You are an organized cookie my friend!!
I love this grouping of plates you created. You’ve given plates an updated look!. I just ordered some last week to add to a gallery wall.
Thanks, Dawn! Hope you’ll post pics of your wall.