Decorating Your Kitchen With Antique Plates

Antique plates can add whimsy and interest to your décor. Many people hang them right on the walls for a unique look. You can hang them up on special holders made just for this or use ribbons to hold them and hang from fancy hooks. Learning how to arrange your plates so that they look best is key to making them a successful part of your wall décor.

Lets say you have a beautiful antique platter that will go perfect in your kitchen. You run out to the store and get a hanging bracket, insert the plate and hang it on the wall over the server. Instant charm!

Pleased with your accomplishemnt you stand back. You tip your head to one side and then the other. Squinting, you take another look at the plate. Something doesn't look right.

If you have ever found yourself dissatisfied with the appearance of the decorations on your walls you are not alone. Many people make the same common mistakes that the eye can read as awkward but the individual does not know how to fix. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when arranging your plates as well decor:

Hanging Large Platters:

Large platters or chargers can be the focus of your décor so you must make sure you hang them in a spot that is appropriate for the size and focus. Where do larger pieces look the best? Try above the server or dry sink, over a couch, behind the dining set, over a fireplace or on a feature wall. A feature wall is where the placement of furniture or the layout of the home naturally guides the eye to a wall - a great place to feature your antique platters.

Hanging Small Plates:

Grouping smaller plates together in one area can add interest and keep them from getting "lost". Use a common theme like, color, pattern or style to pull them together. Hang a single smaller piece low on the wall and as close to the furniture as possible, otherwise it will seem to be floating.

Grouping Plates:

The key to grouping pieces together is to space them properly. Each item should be spaced about 3 inches away from the items on either side. Try positioning them on the floor or a table to get a pleasing arrangement before placing the nails and measure carefully before making any holes.

Height:

Plates should be hung with the center of the plate at eye level. That means the center should be about 60 to 66 inches from the floor. If you've visited a gallery you will see that the frames are not lined up by their top or bottom edges but that the pictures are all centered at the same height.

If the platter or plates will be viewed from a sitting position ? like from the dining table, you should hang at the eye level of the sitter.

If you are hanging it behind the dry sink or server, make sure it is no more than 10" above the back.

Using these tips you can transform your bare kitchen walls into a designer showcase with a unique focus on antique plates!

Lee Dobbins write for A Kitchen Decorating Idea Guide where you can find out more about decorating your kitchen. Don't forget to visit the article database for more decorating ideas.

---

A Look at Tropical Ceiling Fans

There are several differences between tropical ceiling fans and standard... Read More

5 Tips to Preschoolers Bedrooms, on a Budget

Decorating on a budget can always be a challenge, but... Read More

Liven Up Your Walls With Decorative Plates

Decorative plates are often overlooked when decorating a home. Yet,... Read More

An Upholstered Bench To Incorporate Style and Function

How do you envision your dream home? Is it rich... Read More

A Guide to Closet Organizers

Along with losing weight and quitting smoking, getting organized is... Read More

Beautiful Lighting Tips 101 - A Crash Course in Lighting Design

Many people cannot immediately identify why they may like or... Read More

Decorating a Romantic Room

Creating intimacy in a room is about finding a mixture... Read More

Displaying Posters: Some Ways You Never Thought Of

How many ways can you display posters? With the easy... Read More

Wall Clocks Tell Time and Decorate!

Clocks can be of any type - they could be... Read More

Where to Find Discount Wedgwood China

There is not a lot of discount Wedgwood China available,... Read More

Pendant Lighting Layout - How To

Pendant lighting has gained a great deal of popularity for... Read More

Childrens Furniture

Children's bedroom furniture and nursery furniture can help turn a... Read More

Wine Rack Kits and Plans

Properly storing wine keeps flavor and lets wine age so... Read More

Tuscan Style Decorating - Three Essential

If Under the Tuscan Sun left you breathlessly and hopelessly... Read More

Picnic Baskets for Two

Picnic baskets for two provide an intimate way to celebrate... Read More

Latex Mattresses ? Comfortable, Renewable, and Biodegradable

A latex mattress is not exactly the same thing as... Read More

Caring for Your Wood Furniture

There is nothing like wood furniture to add elegance and... Read More

Getting a Grandfather Clock at a Discount

Whether it is a basic bong-bong-bong or a thrilling symphony,... Read More

A Look at Custom Shutters

Who doesn't love the look of shutters? On the outside,... Read More

The Benefits of Quartz Cuckoo Clocks

Unlike windup cuckoo clocks, which require rewinding every one, two... Read More

How To Measure For Window Treatments Like a Pro

When measuring for custom window treatments be sure to always... Read More

Tasteful Home Decorating Changes Your House Into a Home

There is this undocumented story about Andrew Carnegie who kept... Read More

Psychology of Color - Decorating a Kitchen for the Subconscious

Psychologists have studied the influence of color on the mind... Read More

The Benefits of Pre-finished Hardwood Floors

Pre-finished floors come with an extended factory finish warranty unlike... Read More

The Advantages of Ionic Exchange Water Softeners

It can be difficult to decide which method for softening... Read More