By Dorcas Muga-Odumbe
Decorative plates are a great way to bring a splash of colour and liven up your walls. Your blank wall can be transformed with a stylish display of plates.
You can use a few favourite plates pulled from your collection in the wall unit. You can also find beautiful vintage pieces in second hand shops.
The only extra expense is for a few plate hangers.
DISPLAYING THE PLATES
The best thing about decorating with hanging plates is the flexibility it offers. Plates can be used to decorate any room in the house.
In hallways, you can display them in a row, or one above the other.
In kitchens, place them on the wall space beside overhead cabinets or beside a window.
You can also border the room with the plates or place them in a diamond, arched or rectangular pattern.
Horizontal and vertical lines are a great way to display plates as well. Just be creative.
CHOOSE LOCATION
Avoid locations close to opening doors or other moving furniture pieces that could potentially knock a plate off the wall.
VARY SIZES
Different plate sizes make the dÈcor more interesting. However, do not overcrowd the wall with plates. A large centre plate with six to eight smaller ones surrounding it is aesthetically pleasing.
MIX AND MATCH THE DESIGN
The plates do not have to be in the same pattern. So long as the design is simple and the plates share a common colour, mix and match the patterns.
GROUP THE PLATES
Display them in groupings of three, four, up to ten or eleven plates on the wall. Try different sizes — put the bigger one(s) in the centre.
Group plates made of the same material — ceramic, porcelain, China, glassware or even melanine.
You can also group them by the motif on the plate — floral, landscape or by colour.
To hang the plates, you need heavy-duty plate hangers, which are available in most hardware shops. You can also use picture hooks, just pay attention to the weight of the plates.
Adhesive tapes or tabs will suffice for lighter or small plates. Just ensure it is securely attached to the wall.
