Decorative plates are interior design features that were popular in the past but don’t make much of an appearance in modern homes. This is all about to change though! They’re making a big comeback from the prominence enjoyed in the 1960s and 1970s. Along with the likes of hand-stitched embroidery and homemade stencil prints, plates are back in vogue. Whether you’re looking to display a beautiful vintage plate or one that has been hand-painted by a loved one, hanging a plate on your wall needs to be secure. If not, you’ll swiftly be learning the ins and outs of the Japanese art of kintsugi; that is, repairing smashed pottery with shimmery glue.
Use Specifically Designed Plate Hangers
If you want to hang your plate on a flat wall without a visible hanger showing, opt for a specialist plate hanger. Obtainable only from niche vendors, these gallery hanging system solutions flex around plates of almost any size and hold them firmly in place with four small metallic hooks. Made of metal springs, specialist plate hangers can be bought in flexible sizing for diameters of 5.9 – 7.9 inches, 7.9 – 11.8 inches, 9.8 – 13.8 inches and 14.2 – 17.7 inches. These hangers are specifically designed for the purpose of hanging plates and are the most secure method to use.
Stick Adhesive Pads
If you live in a rented property or aren’t looking to make permanent holes in your walls, adhesive wall hanging pads may be your best choice. These can be applied to the most protruding parts of the plate and then pressed hard against your wall. Be sure to take extra care though – if not stuck on well, weak spots will occur and the plate will drop or worse, fall completely.
Draw Out Templates
Before you commit to either method of hanging, be sure to map out where you want your plates. Use pencil marks on the wall to map out which plates you want where and to keep the layout cohesive and not too overcrowded. Make your pencil marks smaller than your plates so that they don’t show once your plates are hung, or erase them from the wall altogether before you start hanging. Try to hang plates or larger prints above thinner, lighter items – after all, should the worst happen and a plate topples down, you don’t want it to take down your other ceramics on its descent!
Keep It Clean
Your plates may start to look grubby over time, especially if you use them for anything other than aesthetics. Wipe down the whole product before it’s hung from your wall. An alcoholic cleaning wipe will do the job nicely and remove any residual grime that may inhibit its safe hanging – however, depending on what material has been used to decorate the plate, you may find it more appropriate to use an alternative cleaning method. Be sure to check the specifics of your plates before you apply any cleaning fluid or product. Once you have found the right product, give the front of the plate an extra careful clean. Fingerprint marks or other blemishes will soon start to annoy you if you spot them once the plate is up and hanging.
If you’re looking for retro plates, you can find plenty at flea markets, vintage stores and online thrift shops and auction websites. You may even find some hidden gems at car boot sales! For DIY plates, most craft shops offer kits to decorate your own so pick one up, get creative, and design your own wall display to ensure your interiors are exactly how you want them!
