40 Ways to Decorate With Plates on the Wall for a Charming, Unique Look

If there's one design move to try with items you already own, it's decorating walls with plates. That's right—beautiful dinnerware isn't only reserved for kitchen cabinets or special occasions. You can use even your finest dishes to create sophisticated plate walls in any room in your home.

Plate walls aren't just an opportunity to show off your best dinnerware. The design trend, which often features round or oval shapes, can be a clever way to counter homes with harsh angles and straight lines, Sophie Rowell, the designer and founder of Côte de Folk, tells us.

Whether you're looking for wall decor ideas for your bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen, here are 40 ways to decorate your walls with plates.

How to Decorate With Plates on the Wall

You can arrange your desired pattern with the plates on the floor, or trace the plates you plan to use on paper, and hang up the pieces to see what the pattern will look like on the wall.

If you're wondering how to hang a plate on a wall, Rowell recommends using brass plate hangers for a more traditional look or invisible disc plate hangers for a more seamless design.

The key to plate walls is taking your time, Rowell says. It's the perfect opportunity to curate a plate collection through travels and add memories to your walls over time.

"Leave space to add to the wall over time, and don’t stress about having it perfect straight away," she says.

Arch Above the Bed

If you're searching for your next bedroom wall decor project, consider decorating with plates. It's a change of pace from the classic kitchen plate wall but can look just as good. Try creating an arch with plates along your headboard to create more visual interest by your bed.

Tip

For a more classic plate wall look, use blue and white plates.

Curated Collection of Eclectic Designs

The great thing about a plate wall is that you can curate the perfect (or perfectly imperfect) collection of plates. Whether it be from travels, thrift stores, or your favorite home goods store, you can pull together different shapes, colors, and patterns to create unique wall art.

A Plate Rack in Your Living Space

Plate racks are common in kitchens, but here's your sign to use them in other parts of your home. Try a plate rack in a living room, dining room, home office, or bathroom. It's a fantastic way to play around with your plate wall since you can swap out plates according to season, mood, or style.

Plates on Open Kitchen Shelving

Whether you're lacking upper cabinets or looking for a different way to put your dinnerware on display, adding plates to open shelving can look amazing in a kitchen. In this space, the designer used blue and white plates throughout, but incorporated green and white plates on two bottom shelves, making the plate wall really pop.

Plate Arch With Art Above a Bathtub

In addition to using plate walls in bedrooms, decorating your bathroom walls with plates is doable and highly encouraged. In this bathroom, plates are arranged in an arch-like pattern with scones and a piece of art in the middle. It's a clever way to add an elegant touch to an unexpected space.

Surrounding a Bathroom Mirror

A light peach and green bathroom is a stunning combination itself, but there's one thing you can do to take it to the next level: add a plate wall. This designer plays with two plate designs, symmetry, and pops of color to create a stylish pattern above the bathroom vanity.

A Single Row on a Wall Ledge

Rather than taking outdoor elements indoors, this outdoor room is the perfect example of bringing cozier indoor elements to your backyard. Wall ledges to each side of the fireplace are decorated with a single row of plates, giving the room a cottage-like aesthetic when paired with light green walls and wicker furniture.

Symmetry by the Bathroom Mirror

Symmetry and simplicity are key elements in this bathroom designed by Sarah Vanrenen. On each side of the bathroom sink are a sconce and a cloth-covered side table, both stylish and functional pieces, along with a single plate that complements the light blue walls.

In a Cozy Dining Area

Decorating with plates can involve creating curves with wall patterns or complementing ones that already exist. In this cozy dining area, a little nook lined with exposed stone has a simple plate wall design will colorful and eclectic plate patterns.

Various Sizes With Similar Patterns

When it comes to plate walls, you don't have to stick to one size. Mixing different sizes can make the wall look more visually appealing. If you want the design to look more cohesive, aim for similar color patterns.

In a Work-From-Home Space

You may not think plates and home offices mix, but this cozy space has us thinking otherwise. Above a vintage-style desk is a plate wall that incorporates scalloped white plates and plates with darker patterns. With longer platters in the center and various sizes of plates surrounding them, it's a beautiful display of the symmetry and style that wall patterns can bring.

Against a Beautiful Brown Wall

Decorating with plates can make any wall come to life, whether they're painted in neutrals or bold colors. This space shows just how elegant a plate wall can look against a rich, brown hues, like this stunning dining space.

Above Little Nooks

Cozy nooks call for equally cozy seating and decor to make the space feel even more warm and inviting. Little touches, like two deep patterned plates along the edge of the nook, do just that. If you take a closer look, the plates have hints of yellow, which match the soft hue of the walls.

A Lavish Dining Room Display

Elegant plates are the perfect addition to an already elegant space, as seen in this dining area designed by Carlos Sánchez-García. The designer used 19th-century Imari porcelain to adorn aqua walls.

Stacked Large Floral Plates

This space already is already decked out with a corner of plants and greenery, but the designer takes it up a notch with a two-piece plate wall featuring floral designs.

Colorful Plates on a White Wall

White rooms don't have to be boring, especially if you have a collection of plates. In this space, various colors, sizes, and patterns are utilized to break up a white wall.

Colorful Plates By a Bright Window

Similar to lining doors and nooks, you can use plates to decorate beside a window. This light-filled room has two plates off to the side of the window, one similar to the soft walls and another with more contrasting colors.

A Single Plate Among a Photo Gallery Wall

When it comes to using plates as decor, sometimes less can be more. In this room, a single plate is displayed in a gallery wall filled with photos and art.

Combine a Platter With Dish Lids

Plates and platters can be the perfect addition to any wall, but don't forget that you can use dish lids as well. In this bathroom, a blue and white platter is paired with three blue and white lids that match the color palette perfectly.

Plates That Match the Counters

This kitchen plate wall is a fantastic example of making the most of your color scheme. The designer uses yellow plates to match the yellow countertops for a balanced and eye-catching kitchen.

Mini Plate Wall By a Banquette

When you have colorful statement seating, like this light blue banquette, you may want to decorate with small accent pieces rather than large wall art. In this space, the banquette is accented with a lovely painting, bronze pieces, and a decorative plate, creating a more minimal, but equally captivating wall decor.

Shaped Plates and Pastel Colors

Behind the gorgeous floral pendant lights is a plate wall that's subtle and eye-catching. Plates in various shapes, including leaf-shaped designs and decorative borders, were curated to create a unique plate wall. If you can't find pastel plates, you can always paint your own plates to complement or contrast with your current kitchen color scheme.

Plate Wall on Bathroom Shelving

Styling bathroom shelves doesn't have to be complicated. To get a more chic look, try a bronze shelf with a few decorative plates, like this beautiful green bathroom. In addition to a mini plate wall, incorporate framed prints and art, along with some flowers to go above and beyond.

Plates and Platters on Warm Wood

A white kitchen can feel more warm and welcoming with wood tones and a little plate wall decor; this serene kitchen covers both. The trio of white plates contrasts nicely against the wood but pulls the kitchen together with the warm wood flooring and white countertops and cabinets.

Plate Wall Above an Outdoor Fireplace

There are many ways to make an outdoor space feel like the extension of a home. For starters, you can add comfortable seating, throw pillows, and blankets. You can also add a plate wall to the mix. In this space, blue plates are aligned above the fireplace, giving it a more home-like feel.

Plates Above Colorful Couch

Whether you're working with a more maximalist or minimalist space, you can't go wrong with a plate wall. In this space, there are a lot of patterns and colors that come into play, and the plate wall decor only adds to it. Above the curved backrest of the blue couch are a few patterned plates that match the vase and have a similar pattern to the curtains.

Plate Wall Above Lighting

Plates as wall decor are often used to frame mirrors, but you can also use them to accent lighting as well. In this space filled with colors and patterns, a large plate accompanied by two smaller plates are neatly arranged around a bold lamp.

Various Patterns in One Space

When decorating with plates on the wall, you can use several patterns within a single space. In this room, plates are stacked vertically, in a diamond-pattern, and in an arch above a doorway.

Plates Lining a Doorway

If you want to add more personality to a space, there's no better way than a plate wall filled with plates of all colors and sizes. If you don't know where to start, the doorway is the perfect spot. You can line the frame of the door based on shape or your favorite pieces.

Colorful Plate Wall With Patterned Ceiling

If you love playing around with patterns, a unique combination to try is a plate wall with mixed and matched designs and a patterned ceiling. In this space, various shades of blue are used throughout the wall and bold shades of red, pink, and green are spotted on the plates and lamp shades.

Small Floral Plates in a Soft and Sweet Space

Soft spaces with lots of pink, flowers, and pastels are the perfect formula for a sweet and comforting space. In this lovely home, flowers are added in the form of artwork, bouquets, and a row of floral patterned plates lined neatly by the pink door.

Plates With Matching Wallpaper

There's no such thing as too many patterns, especially if you're considering a stylish plate wall with patterned wallpaper to match. In this space, the blue and white color scheme touches on every inch of the space, from the plates all the way to the interior of the shelving.

Plates on a Dark Accent Wall

A black statement wall can be undeniably chic, but add a plate wall to it and you're left with a design that anyone would swoon over. In this space, there's a mix of platters and plates in various shapes and sizes that's warmed up with a midcentury modern-style buffet table.

Maximalist Plate Designs in a Dining Area

Splashes of color can bring life to any space, kitchen nooks and dining areas included. In this space, colorful plates with more maximalist designs sit above a vibrant banquette. But instead of a giant plate wall, the design is split between a large mirror that opens up the space and makes it look even bigger.

Colorful Plates Above the Bed

Add pops of color to a neutral bedroom with a fun selection of plates above the bed. In this space, colorful plates featuring different animals are playfully spread throughout in a wave-like pattern.

Make the Most of Shelving

If you're lucky enough to have high ceilings and a lot of shelving, consider using plates as decor along the borders. Line a few shelves with your favorite designs, along with other pieces of decor or storage, to make your home look chic and straight out of a magazine.

Surrounding Floating Shelves

Whether they're in the living room or home office, floating shelves are a great way to start a plate wall. You can start with a plate resting on the shelf, and create a pattern leading to the next shelf.

Patterns Above Armchairs

One way to highlight sections of a room is to create plate wall in each area. In this case, there's a plate wall above each armchair. Although the wall patterns are similar, each plate is unique and was received as a gift or purchased at antique stores across the country.

Large Plates on a Plate Rack That Double As Art

A spacious wall is the perfect place for a plate rack that can house your favorite plate designs. In this space, the larger plate rack is home to big plates with bold and captivating designs. Not only is it functional, but it looks like art.

Plates on the Walls and Hutches

Create a comforting, country home feel with blue and white plate walls galore. Take notes from this dining area, which has several plate walls throughout the space. Plates are also used as decor in the kitchen hutch.

Read Next: 56 Wall Decor Ideas to Transform Every Room in the House

Read the original article on The Spruce.