Plates as wall decoration

Not quite convinced?
Here are 4 good reasons why plates are fantastic as wall décor!

1. Plates are easy to clean

There is a good reason why plates have been used as wall decoration for generations. Besides the fact that plates arranged in new and modern ways are trendy again, they also have a huge advantage: dust can be wiped off easily, and many plates can even go in the dishwasher.

That makes plates perfect for the kitchen. Take them down, wash them, and hang them back up – and your kitchen is ready to shine without worrying about cooking residue.

2. Affordable, easy, and personal wall décor

With plates, you can create a wall display entirely to your taste. You decide the patterns, colours, and motifs, and it is up to you whether there should be a common thread in the theme, the colours, or the stories behind the individual plates.

The best part is that you can find many beautiful plates at very reasonable prices. Your wall does not have to be expensive, because you can achieve a unique look without spending a fortune.

Unsure how to compose a plate wall?

3. Easy to squeeze into a small spot

Not much space, or just need a little extra flourish on a bare wall? A single plate is an ideal solution.

Plates come in many sizes, colours, and motifs – and you can almost always find one that fits your style. That makes it easy to add life to your home, even on small wall areas.

4. You create something truly unique

When you hang plates using your own imagination and your personally chosen motifs, you create something special. The chance of another wall looking exactly like yours is virtually zero.

You can arrange the plates in straight lines, flowing shapes, or circles – the only limit is your imagination. Choose colourful plates, simple motifs, animals, or symbols.

The possibilities are endless, and the result is a wall that reflects your personality and style.

Ready to start your plate wall?

Then just get going! Gather your plates, lay them out on the floor, and play with different patterns. This way, you will create your very own, unique wall decoration.

How to avoid it looking off

Unsure how to ensure a beautiful plate wall and avoid making lots of unnecessary holes in the wall? We will help you! Follow this guide and create your lovely pattern.

1. Find the plates that match your interior. If you do not already have any, you can find a wide range of plates in many colours and motifs here!
   
   
2. Lay your plates on the floor in the pattern you plan to hang and experiment until it looks right.
   
   
3. If it is hard to imagine how it will look on the wall, cut a piece of paper to the same size and shape as each plate. The easiest way is to place your plate on a sheet, then trace the edge with a pencil. Cut out the shape.
   
   When you have cut them all, try sticking them to the wall in different patterns with tape, etc. When you think it looks right, you are almost ready to place nails or screws. But check step 4 before you start hanging the templates!
4. Remember that the hangers on different plates are not positioned the same, so it is a good idea to check where the nail should be for each plate before you hammer it in.
   
   Mark on your paper templates where the nail for each plate should go. Then you can simply hammer or drill according to the templates while they hang on the wall.
   

Need inspiration? Scroll down the page!

There are countless beautiful plates at very low prices. For example, you can buy Desiree Hans Christian Andersen Christmas plates with motifs from his fairy tales for very little. You will also find many older Bing & Groendahl Christmas plates and Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates, as well as various Mother’s Day plates at sensible prices.

For larger walls, you can also use seconds – they still look great. For a different choice, consider commemorative plates or Seltmann Swedish landscape plates, which are also excellent for wall décor.

The blue patterned swarm

You do not have to hang your plates in a row as people used to. Try large, asymmetrical arrangements where the plates spread out and bring movement and life to the wall.

A good example is the image below: a swarm of blue and white plates with a few Royal Copenhagen commemorative plates mixed in.

You can also create a wall that catches the light from a nearby window – the plates will reflect the light and add life and variation.

Smaller swarms can also do a lot for the room. Below you see a grey wall where the blue plates fit beautifully. — The plates shown are the lovely vintage Easter plates from Bing & Groendahl. As you can see, there is plenty of opportunity to play with colours among these plates, which are known for their special shape.

Hang plates “randomly”

Although it looks random, it takes planning to get the right effect. Most modern layouts should look a bit informal, but the balance between large and small plates, spacing, and visual weight on the wall is crucial.

A great trick is to make cardboard templates the same size as the plates, tape them up, and move them around until everything looks harmonious. Only then should you reach for the hammer.

Colourful plates on a dark wall can bring warmth and atmosphere to the living room, while plates in muted tones can create calm and cohesion in a more minimalist interior.

You can also choose plates that match your furniture colours – such as teak, where the hues play beautifully together. The warm wood tones of teak make the blue, white, and beige shades of porcelain stand out and give the décor a harmonious, balanced whole. Plates with classic motifs, floral designs or warm colours look especially good against golden wood.

Use plates in the conservatory and other humid rooms

Plates are not just for living rooms and kitchens – they are actually great for rooms where humidity fluctuates, such as conservatories, bathrooms, and utility rooms. Unlike paintings and posters that can be damaged by moisture and temperature changes, porcelain tolerates humid environments without losing colour or gloss.

That is why plates are ideal if you want to give these rooms personality and warmth – without worrying that the motifs will deteriorate over time.

In the bathroom, plates can create a very special atmosphere. The glossy glazes reflect light from windows and lamps, and the rounded shapes soften the hard surfaces of tiles and glass. A couple of simple plates on a light wall instantly give the room character – as below, where blue and white plates with nature motifs bring a calm mood to a bright bathroom.

It is a small detail that makes a big difference: plates bring life to a room that otherwise focuses on function and make even a simple bathroom feel considered and designed.

In bathrooms, black-and-white plates from e.g. Rörstrand, Bjørn Wiinblad and Bing & Groendahl look great with white walls and black accents. They provide a clean, calm, and personal expression – and keep looking good over time.

A good tip is to hang plates on a wall that is not directly exposed to water and use hangers that tolerate humidity (e.g., metal rather than adhesive). That way you get a decorative solution that lasts for years – even in rooms with fluctuating humidity.

When creativity gets room on the wall

Plates can do much more than classic wall decorations. Here, they are hung as a large clock, with twelve plates forming a circle – one for each hour. A simple idea with striking effect: a focal point that makes people stop and look closer.

The plates used are Bjørn Wiinblad’s sandwich plates, and their characteristic style gives the clock life, colour, and personality. It shows how classic porcelain can be revived in a modern interior – and how, with a few elements, you can create something playful yet refined.

The result is wall décor that unites function and imagination – a reminder that time and aesthetics can go hand in hand. The idea is easy to copy with other plate series, so there is plenty of scope to create your very own unique clock.

Combine different types of plates

A mix of Christmas plates, anniversary plates, commemorative plates, and other kinds can create an exciting and personal wall. At first glance, the layout may seem asymmetrical, but the balance lies in the composition. Create equilibrium between large and small plates, and consider spacing and overall harmony.

What do you use to hang plates on the wall?

How do you hang plates on a wall? When you want to hang plates, it is important to choose the right plate hanger.

There are several types – and which you choose depends on whether the plate has holes on the back, how heavy it is, and how visible you want the hanger to be.

Plates with holes on the back

Many plates from Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Groendahl have two small holes on the back.
They are made for hanging and can be used with thin steel wire or small hooks.
You can shape the wire yourself for a perfect fit, or buy ready-made plate hooks that fit the holes.

This type of hanger is discreet and gives a clean, classic look where nothing is visible from the front.

Self-adhesive hangers (for plates without holes)

Some plates have no holes on the back. Use a self-adhesive plate hanger, where a round pad with a hook is mounted directly onto the back. The hanger is glued on and must dry before hanging. They come in several sizes, so you can choose one that fits the plate’s diameter and weight.

The advantage of this type is that it is invisible from the front, and you avoid hooks around the rim.

Spring or “spider” hangers

A spring hanger consists of four small hooks that grip the plate edge and a spring that keeps everything under tension. This type is also called a “marionette” or “spider” hanger.

It is the strongest type and is well suited to larger or heavier plates. The downside is that the hooks may be visible from the front – but many people feel it adds a rustic, authentic touch.

Whether you prefer a discreet or more visible hanger is a matter of taste, but they all provide secure mounting and allow you to adjust the angle so the plates hang precisely.

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