Wall decor doesn’t always have to be exclusive to pictures (and coming from us, that’s saying something!). A host of unique home decor items would fit right in with the standard gallery wall—like plates.
The idea of mounting fragile china on the wall can seem quite intimidating, but it’s a common practice that is tried and tested. There’s a hanger for everything, even plates!
In this article, we will introduce you to plate hangers and guide you through the essential steps in how to hang plates on the wall, whether you want to display just one or two plates or curate an entire plate wall. So get ready to bring your crockery out of their hiding places—er… cupboards and let’s begin.
What are plate hangers?
Plate hangers are designed to secure and hang plates, including ceramic plates and china plates, tiles, and other ceramics on the wall.
To safely hang plates on a wall, there are two types of plate hangers: disc hangers or adhesive discs, which adhere to the back of your plates and stick them to the wall, and wire plate hangers.
Disc hangers are great for plates and bowls that have smooth and glazed surfaces, especially smooth china plates. They don’t work as well on coarse surfaces, however, and as they are adhesive hangers, once the plates are mounted, it becomes difficult to remove them.
Because of this, they’re the ideal plate holder for decorative plates you don’t plan on using and are hung exclusively for display purposes. Because disc hangers are stuck discreetly to the back of platters, they provide a clean and simple wall hanging setup that makes plates look as if they’re suspended in midair.
Wire plate hangers, or simply plate hangers, on the other hand, are traditional wire-and-spring hangers. The wire is made of strong steel and angled into four prongs that grip the plate. Spring mechanisms allow the plate holder to be flexible and conform securely to plates, while rubber tips on the wire protect the plate from scratches.
In this article, we will be talking all about wire plate hangers and how to use them.
Plate hanger usage, weight capacity, and specifications
Plate hangers are designed to a tee for secure and pleasant plate hanging. They can stretch to safely mount plates that are 7-11” in diameter, so make sure your plate’s dimensions match with the right hanger. Each plate hanger can support up to 30 lbs.
Plate hangers are suitable for most crockery, and they are recommended as well for decorative plates with backs that are not completely smooth or flat, such as plates with raised designs. This type of plate holder also makes plates easily removable, which is convenient when you want to take them off the wall to use them for a special dinner or occasion.
How to Hang Plates on the Wall Using Plate Hangers
Plate hangers don’t require a fussy installation, but if you’re hanging more than a couple of plates, it’s good to have a guide to refer to. You can use this guide whether you’re hanging just one plate or more, but if you want to know how to install plate hangers directly, you can also skip ahead to step 5.
What you will need
Painter’s tape
Measuring tape
Roll of paper
Pencil
Scissors
Level
Step 1: Create a layout.
Design the layout you would like to achieve by hanging your plates. This step is especially important if you plan on an expanded plate wall. Once your plates are mounted, it will be difficult and damaging to your wall to redo the layout.
Gather the plates you want to hang and lay them out on a table or the floor. If you plan on hanging several decorative plates, measure the available wall space. Using painter’s tape, mark the table or floor with those measurements so you can accurately design your layout.
You can start with a symmetrical design or center the layout around larger pieces. Once you find a design you love, sketch it on paper or take a picture of it so you can easily refer to it during the rest of the project.
Step 2: Make paper templates for each plate.
Lay out the plates facefirst on paper and trace each shape with a pencil. Draw a horizontal line and a vertical line across the center of each shape. This will help you line up the templates evenly when hanging them. Don’t forget to label each template according to its respective plate. Then cut out the shapes to make paper templates.
Step 3: Test your layout on the wall.
Tape the paper templates to the wall with painter’s tape to arrange them in your desired layout. This way, you can make adjustments without rearranging plates that are already mounted and hooked onto the wall. Use a level and measuring tape to perfect your desired layout and alignment. Stand back to see how it looks and make adjustments as needed.
Step 4: Clean and dry plates thoroughly.
For your plates to hang securely, they must be thoroughly cleaned. Use a damp cloth to remove dust, dirt, and stains. Dry them well, particularly the back of each plate as that is where the hangers will go.
Step 5. Attach a plate hanger to each plate.
To install plate hangers on your plates, follow the steps below.
How to use plate hangers
i. Hook one end of the hanger to the rim of the plate. Then hook the other end by stretching the spring. Note the
following when attaching plate hangers:
Plate hangers can fit plates that are 7-11” in diameter.
Each plate hanger can hold up to 30 lbs.
Don’t worry about scratching the plate—the hooks are covered with rubber tips to protect it.
ii. Space the hanger hooks evenly on the plate. Position the top hooks so they’re centered on the upper part of the
plate.
iii. Check that the hanger’s fit is snug on the plate. A secure fit means no wiggle room.
Step 6. Measure your hook’s placement.
To mark the exact spot you will be hanging your plate on, attach the brass hook to the plate holder fitted onto your plate. Then measure the distance from the upper rim of the plate down to where the nail will go into the brass hook. Do this for each plate and indicate the measurement on each paper template respectively.
Step 7. Install the brass hook on the wall.
Put the nail through the hook and hammer it into the spot you marked. Remove the template as you go.
Step 8. Hang the plate on the hook.
Now your plate wall is ready! Step back and enjoy your work. If you need to use them, you can easily remove your plates from the wall and hang them again afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of plates can I use with plate hangers?
Our plate hangers are compatible with most plates, including antique and decorative plates, china plates, and ceramic plates. Just make sure they measure 7” to 11” in diameter and weigh no more than 30 lbs for a successful installation.
Are they easy to remove?
Yes. One of the advantages of plate hangers is how easily you can remove a plate from the wall after it’s mounted. Simply lift a plate off the hook and detach the hanger.
How many are included in a pack?
Are the hangers visible when displaying plates on the wall?
The plate hangers provide a seamless display and are almost invisible, giving plates a floating decor effect.
Final thoughts
Plate hangers make hanging plates on the wall so much more appealing, so we hope you now feel less intimidated by the idea of a plate as a wall hanging. You can finally say goodbye to cooped-up china and display them proudly in your living room, kitchen, and even bedroom as unique home decor.
If you need any help with your plate wall, don’t hesitate to hit us up with an email at support@picturehangsolutions.com or comment down below. We’re more than happy to help.
As always, happy hanging!
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