my milk glass plate wall! {and how to design your own plate wall}

Good morning and happy monday! I’m excited to share another project I did for my new dining room…..I decided to display my collection of white milk glass plates on the wall! and I’ll show you a few pointer and tips on doing your own plate wall. {and no, my dining room is still not finished. i still have a couple more projects to finish. :)

plate wall

I don’t think I’ve ever told you lovelies, but I collect milk glass plates. {you might recall that i’ve used them as props for a few posts here and here} but I’ve never told you the extent of my collection or the history behind it.

I started with a small milk glass plate from my Great Grandma Nielsen when I was little. I loved the cut out lace edge and thought it was just the prettiest plate ever. Then when we moved to Virginia 5 years ago, I found a milk glass plate sitting in the clearance section for $1 at an antique store and knew it would match the plate my Grandma had given me. Ever since then, I’ve hunted for milk glass plates at thrift and antique stores!

I’m not sure why, but I’ve left these pretties hidden away collecting dust in the closet. I finally decided I should do something with them. They are gorgeous!!

That plate in the right hand corner was the first plate in my collection given to me by my great grandma.

How to Hang a Plate Wall

{this is for those indecisive people who have hubby’s who hate it when their wives put 10 holes in the wall while trying to hang 1 picture……..like i do. this is the way to do it with only 1 hole!}

1. First collect plates that have a common theme- color, pattern, type, design, etc

2. Trace the outline of each plate onto a sheet of paper and cut out with scissor to make a template of each plate.

how to hang a plate wall3. Pput tape on the back of each plate template and arrange on the wall until you like the way they look together. {my 2 year old thought i needed a blue plate template as you can see!}

how to arrange a plate wall4. Determine where you need your nail for your plate hanger and nail it through the paper. {tomorrow i will show you an almost free way to hang plates!}

milk glass plate5. When you have your plate in the place you like, pull off the paper. and that’s way the way to hang a plate wall and only put 1 hole per plate! {fingers crossed!}

milk glass plate wall

plate wall

To see how I added upholstery to my dining room chairs, check out my tutorial here.

*want to learn how I made my own plate hangers for FREE using this tutorial here.*

Linda
Hi! I'm Linda, the craft addict behind Craftaholics Anonymous®, a craft blog. Crafting is cheaper than therapy, right? When I'm not DIYing something, I can be found taxiing around our 4 crazy kids or working out. Or shoe shopping... because you can never have too many shoes! Happy crafting! ♥
Linda
Linda

Latest posts by Linda (see all)

Join the Conversation

Comments

  1. 1
    Beverly

    These are gorgeous! And what a clever way to display them. Thanks for sharing!

  2. 2

    I have been plotting my own plate wall! I can’t wait to get it up. Yours looks great!! Since I don’t see plate hangers what did you use on the back of the plates to hang them? Btw…I love black furniture my vote is to paint the table. :)

  3. 3

    Looks great!!!! I would actually say to paint the top of the table a milky white/cream color. Just an idea though :-)

    1. 3.1

      interesting idea! i hadn’t thought of that! i’m so glad you stopped by, Michelle!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  4. 4

    SO PRETTY! Thanks for sharing how to hang things without loads of nail holes in the wall. I will be looking forward to another tip tomorrow on how make a plate hanger.

  5. 5

    GORGEOUS!!! I love milk glass too! And I’m starting to want a plate wall too! As for the top of the table… I like the contrast of the black and brown, but my dining room table is the same way! lol

  6. 6

    Wow! Those are gorgeous! Great tip for hanging too. Your whole dining room looks amazing! Thanks for sharing!

  7. 7

    Lovely! I think the brown table-top looks great. It matches the floor and the blinds and adds an extra touch of warmth. I love this room. Can’t wait to see it finished! :)

  8. 8
    Megan B

    Mosaic the top of the table!

  9. 9

    I love the plates!! GORGEOUS!! I personally would leave the table brown- it adds character to the room :) I like to mix up my black and brown~

    1. 9.1

      thank you, Delina! and thank you on the input for the table. i think i’ll leave it brown. it does go nicely with the other brown elements inthe room.
      i’m so glad you stopped by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  10. 10

    What an awesome way to display your collection. Looks great!
    I vote to leave the table top as is. Not sure what else you have planned for the room, but a black table top might make the room too dark. Do you have a black table cloth or just black fabric? Maybe try throwing that on the table top to see how you like it…

    1. 10.1

      thanks, jill! that is a great idea to put black fabric on top to get a feel for how a black table top would look in the room. i’m so glad you stopped by and said hi!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  11. 11

    I love it!!! I’ve always wanted a plate wall, I just haven’t figured out what kind of plates and where to find them. I’ll be scoping out our local antique stores now :)

  12. 12

    leave it brown. i like the contrast between the black and brown with the table, floors and your black decorative shelf!!
    love the plate wall!

  13. 13

    Love the wall, it adds a touch of elegance. Isn’t it fun how collections are started? As for the table, I’d leave the top brown to have a connection with the floor.

    1. 13.1

      thanks, Rachel! i really appreciate your input on the table. i think i will leave it brown, because like you said, there are other brown elements in the room.
      i’m so glad you stopped by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  14. 14

    what a great idea, I’ve been looking for something to add on my dinning’s back wall, this could be it. Thanks for sharing.

  15. 15

    Thanks for the idea…I can’t wait to hear how you hung them. I have been trying to explain this idea to my husband, but didn’t know how to hang them without the bulky plate hanger. BTW I like the table top brown, it goes well with the flooring. What a beautiful room!

  16. 16

    gorgeous plate wall, i want to do something like that, it looks great. your table looks beautiful as it is, but black might look fab too its a hard one. xx

  17. 17
    Annie

    I luv the contrast also. Would definitely leave the top brown. And coming from someone who loves black furniture (although beautiful) i get frustrated at how noticeably dusty it becomes. So now I try to have bits and pieces black (such as legs) rather than the whole piece.

    Thanks for the plate idea. May just use it for my picture frames which I have been holding off on forever.
    Luv your site.

    1. 17.1

      excellent point, Annie!! black does show dust. i think i will leave it brown!
      i’m so glad you stopped by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  18. 18

    Love the creamy lusciousness of milk glass. Your dining room is so lovely and so very inviting!

  19. 19

    About to hang some plates myself. I’ve been a little intimidated, so thanks for the helpful tips!

  20. 20
    Maureen

    Love the plates!!! I collect milkglass also but only have one plate. My favorite pattern is the grape with leaves and I have a lot of vases and compotes. I will definitely be on the look-out for plates like these now. I agree with many – leave the table top alone. It brings in a new dimension to your room. I really enjoy your site and read nearly every day. I also thought the earring holder was terrific. Keep up the great creative process you have!

    1. 20.1

      thank you so much, Maureen!! its fun to meet a fellow milk glass collector! :) isn’t it so pretty? love it. and thanks for the input on the table. i totally agree. i think i’ll leaveit brown.
      i’m so glad you stopped by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  21. Pingback: how to make your own plate hangers and holders | Craftaholics Anonymous

  22. 21

    Love the paper Idea for Placement!! Your Walls look so dreamy!!

    Huggs, Nancy

  23. 22
    Caitlyn Gates

    Wow! This is gorgeous! Great tips for hanging with only one nail hole too!
    I don’t think you should paint the table top black. With it brown, it matches the floor and ties it all together :]

  24. 23

    This is BEAUTIFUL! oh – and the table? I would leave the top as is, I like the contrast and it adds more color/depth to the room!

    1. 23.1

      thanks! and i think i will leave it brown! thanks for the input, LouAnn! i appreciate it!
      i’m so glad you stopped by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  25. 24

    Your dining room is so gorgeous! I love that tray ceiling! The vase on the table brings out your reupholstered chairs divinely!!

  26. 25
    Paige

    Your room is beautiful! I vote for leaving your table top brown. :)

    1. 25.1

      thanks, paige! i think i will leave it brown. :)
      i’m so glad you stopped by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  27. 26
    Cynthia Comeaux

    I’m with the others ~ leave the tabletop brown. It adds character and a form of layering to the space. Your room is very pretty and I appreciate your simple explanation of how to hang all those plates.

    1. 26.1

      thanks, cynthia! i think i’m going to leave it brown!! everyone was pretty unanimous on that. lol
      i’m so glad you stopped by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  28. 27
    SheilaG

    The plate wall looks great! So glad you decided to leave the tabletop brown- painted tabletops get so many scrapes and dings, it would drive me crazy! :) I love your tricky wall hangers (from your other post)- great idea!

    1. 27.1

      thanks, Sheila! i’m so glad you stopped by! yea i think the brown top will be nice and show the dust and dings less.
      happy crafting,
      linda

  29. 28

    I’m really starting to fall in love with milk glass and your post is only adding to the problem! I love that you decided to show off your collection this way.

    This reminds me of something I saw in a cafe near where I work: the milk glass plates were hung on the wall, like yours, but they were hung from ribbon that was woven through the lacey pattern of the plates and tied into a pretty bow at the top. Just another fun way to do it I guess!

    1. 28.1

      milk glass is addicting! lol hanging them with ribbon sounds pretty! neat idea.
      thanks for stopping by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  30. 29

    Absolutely love this idea! I would keep the table brown for sure, especially because your wood shelf on the wall looks lovely with the table. Wonderful wall decor!

    1. 29.1

      thanks, kara! i really appreciate the input. i think am going to keep it brown.
      happy crafting,
      linda

  31. 30

    This is SO beautiful!! love the milk glass plates. What a great idea :)

    1. 30.1

      thank you, faith! i love them too! they are so pretty. i’m so glad you stopped by and said hi.
      happy crafting,
      linda

  32. 31
    carol

    I would leave it the way it is also. It looks great! I just have to ask: what is the paint color of your wall? I think I’m going to paint my bedroom a light grey and I love this color. Looks so nice with your wooden accents and love the green seat covers!

    1. 31.1

      thanks Carol!! the paint color is Wheat Bread by Behr. I love it! its a brownish gray so its warm and not cold feeling. Goes so well with everything! I painted our family room in it too.
      thank you for stopping by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  33. Pingback: pedestal candy dish | Craftaholics Anonymous

  34. Pingback: craft room | Craftaholics Anonymous™

  35. Pingback: Corner Shelf made from a Door | Craftaholics Anonymous™

  36. 32
    Sissy

    II was just thinking of painting my old dining room table set the same way your table is! My mother in law has a rectangle shaped table, black on bottom, brown wood on top, but she has a glass top to it…it looks beautiful. So after seeing how you reupholstered your chairs, it has inspired me to create the same look for our home too! I vote to leave the top brown! Good luck in deciding.

  37. Pingback: Decorating a Mantel for Easter | Craftaholics Anonymous™

  38. Pingback: diy picture hanging & living room reveal | grateful for a coffee break

  39. Pingback: Craftaholics Anonymous® | 4th of July Paper Crafts

  40. Pingback: Craftaholics Anonymous® | Eat Laugh Savor Wall Quote

  41. 33

    wow! maybe i should get mine out of the boxes. thanks for the ideas & sharing!!

  42. Pingback: Craftaholics Anonymous® | Start a Vintage Kitchen Collection

  43. 34
    KATHIE

    i HAVE BEEN COLLECTING PLATES FOR AWHILE NOW,AND PICKING UP HANGERS WHEN EVER I SE THEM GARAGE SALES ETC BUT STILL NEEDED ALOT MORE .SO I AM GOING TO TRY THE SUPER GLUE AND PAPER CLIPS,THOSE I ALREADY HAVE.I WOULD HAVE TO BUY SAFETY PINS,

  44. Pingback: Craftaholics Anonymous® | Silhouette Vinyl Discount + CAMEO Giveaway!

  45. Pingback: Craftaholics Anonymous® | DIY Plate Hangers using Household items

  46. 35
    Laurie

    Thank you SO much, Linda. I didn’t know how I was going to do this til I read your fantastic ideas! I’ve got a collection of plates with primary colors. In addition to a solution for arranging them, I’m going to try you diy method for hanging them. With this number of plates those commercial hangers would add up.

    1. 35.1

      You are so welcome, Laurie! Glad it helped! Thanks for stopping by! :) Linda

  47. 36
    Karen L

    I’m trying out your plate hanging tips tonight in my kitchen. Wish me luck and thanks for the great tips. I can’t wait till it’s done.

    1. 36.1

      Good luck! I’m sure it will turn out awesome!