DIY Guest Post submitted by
Gina at Shabby Chic Cottage
I’d been hunting for the perfect plates to display on the wall ever since I found a dozen plate hangers for a quarter each. I quickly realized the search was harder than it sounded: some plates had the right shape but the wrong color, others had a great color but ugly patterns or chips. I needed six plates and nothing I found fit the bill.
Then I remembered a trusty solution: spray paint. Instead of trying to find exactly what I wanted, I decided to buy plain plates and transform them myself.
Before starting, I knew standard plate hangers would scratch painted, glossy surfaces, so I planned a different hanging method. I began by picking up six plain matching plates at the thrift store — they were fifty cents each. At that price, creating a coordinated wall grouping for three dollars felt like a steal.
To prepare the plates, I cleaned them thoroughly and applied spray paint in the color I had chosen. Using thin, even coats and allowing proper drying time prevented drips and ensured a smooth finish. Once the paint was fully cured, I attached small metal rings for hanging. I salvaged the rings from an old belt, secured them to the backs of the plates with hot glue, and added short pieces of ribbon to conceal the hardware and add a subtle decorative touch.
With the hardware in place, my husband graciously stood on a chair and arranged the plates on the wall until we found the ideal composition. He helped hang them, testing spacing and alignment so the final arrangement looked balanced and intentional.
The result is a simple, affordable piece of wall art created from thrifted plates and a little creativity. This approach lets you control color and finish, and it’s an easy way to make a cohesive display without hunting for the perfect vintage finds.