Have you ever wanted a wall full of your favorite vintage platters in your home? Let me show you how to design your very own asymmetrical platter wall, using my favorite, vintage blue and white collected platters.
I’ve collected these blue and white antique platters over the years while out “Thrifting with the Gals“. The platters are in different shades of blue, various sizes, and designs. A “bluetiful” eclectic collection that I want to showcase over our vintage mantel in the dining room.
On the back of the largest blue platter in the middle someone wrote: “Old Platter belonged to my mother”, which I think is signed Harriet… This was a precious platter to someone and I want to take extra good care of it.
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What You Will Need
Adhesive Plate Hanger Disks
In preparation for creating today’s blue and white platter wall, I ordered these 5 1/2″ adhesive plate hanger discs. One for each blue and white platter. If you haven’t used these disks before, they are fabulous! No need for those old wire plate hangers anymore, the ones that terrified me every time I tried to hang a plate or platter with those tight springs…
The adhesive disks will not harm your platters and they can be easily removed by simply soaking them in warm water.
Follow the basic directions on the package by naturally adding water to the disk, and then mounting it to the back of your platter. Let the disks dry overnight before hanging.
How do you hang a plate on a wall?
Picture Hangers, Hammer, and Tape Measure
Old fashioned nails, hangers, and a hammer. I used these simple picture hangers that I already had in a drawer. I like using smaller mounts like these as they do less damage to the walls with the smaller nails. And I find them very secure holding 30lb – 100 lbs. a hook.
Your Favorite Blue and White Platters or Plates
And lastly, you’ll need your favorite collection of platters or plates to create your blue and white platter wall.
Lay them out on a table or on the floor so that you have a full visual of your fabulous beauties.
How do you decorate your dining room with plates?
- Choose your favorite color and patterns first.
- Showcase family heirlooms then match your favorite plates and platters around your most valuable pieces.
- Add different textured elements like silver, wooden, or pewter plates and platters to your design.
Simple Steps to Creating a Blue and White Platter Wall
You will want to start by laying out all of your platters or plates in an open space. Such as a table or floor.
I experimented with both of these options!
It’s there you will decide on the wall’s design and choose if you want to:
- Hang platters vertically or horizontally?
- Have an asymmetrical or symmetrical pattern?
- How many platters or plates you will need?
*I am not an expert in designing or hanging platters or plate walls as an FYI. I am simply sharing my process and design with you in hopes that it will inspire you to create your very own platter wall at home too.
Step 1 / Layout Design
1. Be sure you have enough platters and/or plates!
When I reached this point, it was here that I realized I was going to need more platters, as I wanted to go BIG AND BOLD! So I headed out to do a little more “Thrifting with the Gals“.
How about this platter for just $18? See more in the post, A Thrift Here, a Vintage There, and a Valentine.
And you may also enjoy the post, Dishy Kitchen Hooks You Can DIY in Minutes made out of the same Nordic pattern as this platter.
2. Measure the wall space vertically and horizontally where you want to hang your platter wall.
Arrange your platters into the design you want staying within those same wall measurements.
Once you have your layout, you are ready to begin hanging the platters.
You may also enjoy the post, Pretty in Stardew Blue Paint | A Home Interior Makeover Before and After.
Step 2 / Hanging the Platters
I have seen many people use wrapping paper or large sheets of paper to map out their plate wall designs and then place the paper onto the wall as a map for hanging platters onto walls. But honestly, I am going to just wing my plate wall. I’m going for an asymmetrical design after all and I want the flexibility to change it up as I go.
And I did!
Vintage Platter Wall Progression
Looking at my layout on the floor, I started by hanging my largest vintage platter first in the middle of the wall’s measurements. Second, I hung the platter above it and the two to the sides. Since I’m a very visual person, I photographed the wall’s progression for you here.
This is about the time I decided to change up my wall design. Adding the two platters I had planned for the bottom to the sides. And now I needed two or three more platters once again.
But I absolutely loved how it was all turning out so far.
You may also enjoy this Antique Family Heirloom to Buffet Table & Sideboard.
Step 3 / Add Your Own Character Designs
I completely winged the rest of my vintage platter wall by adding a few of my own touches here and there.
With a little crazy glue, I added two tea cups and two small bowls to each of the open-faced platters. I liked the layers and vintage charm it added to each platter.
I then filled in one of the small open wall spaces with the mounted teacup’s saucer and the blue and white bowl’s twin.
In this case, I simply used Command Strips to hang the smaller dishes.
Now there are still a couple of open spaces left to complete on the platter wall, but I think it’s ready to share with you here today. And not to fret, as the open spaces are calling for flowers, books, and more until I can fill them in.
You may see more of these gorgeous antique blue cream soup bowls in the post, Romantic Antique Table Setting with Thoughtful Design.
I’m certain I will be tweaking my vintage platter wall quite often. And I hope I inspired you to start designing your own platter wall at home today too.
It really is very simple. It just takes a bit of planning and patience! But it’s all so worth it!
You may also enjoy the post, A Very Simple Vintage Plates, and Windows DIY and How to Style a Vintage Cabinet Hutch with Wedding China in 7 Simple Steps.
Platter Wall Tips and What I learned
- Order more Adhesive Disks than you will need. I had to keep ordering more, as I needed more platters. This slowed me down. You can never have enough of them.
- Don’t stress over it, it’s much easier than it looks. Just be patient.
- If creating a platter wall over a mantel, don’t hang your platters too low down onto the mantel. As you’ll want to be able to decorate the mantel later without the platters being in the way.
- Recognize that you may need more platters and plates and let your creativity flow.
You may also enjoy this post, A Vintage Teacup Spring Mantel.
Now I’m off to style more of this new space. Which used to be our dining room, but with our recent interior painting project, I have now switched things all around. More on this to come!
I’m so glad you dropped by, and if you are new to my blog, welcome! I hope you enjoyed your visit with us here today at our Home in Vermont.
Be sure also to check out our Home in Coastal Maine where we spend summers and weekends when we are craving a walk on the beach or a visit with old friends.
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Been looking forward to seeing this project. ❤️ I had a blue plates wall in another house but the platters are extra special.
Thank you Pamela, I have another platter arriving today via Etsy that I need to add. So it will continue to be a work in progress. But I’m thrilled with it and so glad I did it!
Very pretty wall decor. I would never have thought to put the plates and teacups together like that! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Dawn, I’m glad you liked it!
And the final touch on any platter wall is Ella posing in front of it!! Looks amazing Ann:)
You know it Lisa:)
Another inspiring bit of decorating in your lovely home.! Blue and white decor is certainly a favorite. I do think the items you have placed on the mantel distract from how pretty the platters look together on the wall since they are different colors. Maybe some additional blue and white dishes or items would balance the look, at least IMHO. It must have been fun hunting for all of those platters!
Thank you Patricia, and thanks for your suggestion. I have another large blue platter arriving today from Etsy, which will add more to it. It will definitely be a work in progress and I look forward to making the changes as I go! Have a great weekend.
Looks fantastic Ann!
Thank you so much, Karen. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Ann, your wall turned out gorgeous. I love how you displayed your collection of blue and white vintage platters. I want to feature you on my Sunday blog newsletter. Love it and the photo of sweet, Ellie.
Aww, thank you so much, Tammy!! Ella and I would love your beautiful feature, love Ann
I love your platter wall so pretty and thanks for sharing the tutorial for it.
Thanks Marlene, as always, you’re the best!
This is so beautiful!! I love all the different shades of blue! 💙
Thank you so much Angie, I’m so thrilled you enjoyed it!
I love how your wall turned out, and that precious vintage mantle. I collect Blue Willow and any other blue and white pieces that come along. I have them hanging in every room. I love your blog. Have a great weekend.
Thank you so much for your sweet note, I appreciate that so much. I love Blue Willow too, it’s all so fun to decorate with!
Love love love how this turned out, Ann! The note written on the back of the one platter is so sweet. And what a great idea to attache tea cups and bowls to some of the more simple platters. So cute!
Thanks Molly, wasn’t that the sweetest note to self on the platter? I love it and it is the center of the plate wall!
I love this! I am going to do this in my kitchen. Thank you for all the great advice.
Thank you so much, Tracy, I’m happy you were inspired by it!
Great job Ann: It looks beautiful. I too collect blue and white Staffordshire and I enjoyed this take.
Thanks so much Shelley, I’m so glad you like it. It’ll be a work in progress but I’m so glad I did it! Happy Monday!
Ann
You know I love all the blue and white dishes. Great post.
Thanks so much Rachel!
Ann
I too have large collection of blue/white platters and plates. One special also has a hand written note taped
to the back! Love Ella. Also how great to find the ‘Disc adhesive plate hangers’ …. great resource. Thanks. so very much.
You do, what a treasure to have Carol. I love mine too. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and thanks kindly for stopping by!