Decorating with Dishes: 18 Homes with Picture-Perfect Plate Walls

When we bought our first house, there were a lot of design uncertainties. What kind of furniture would fit? Where would I put my tin toy collection? Would there be a home for all my weird artwork from our former loft’s gallery hallway?

But at first glance of the home, there was one thing I knew for certain: the dining room needed a plate wall. As a discount shopper and collector, the thought of finding new pieces at super low rates was a fun project — and since I went for an organic shape, I was able to start in the middle and add more plates as I found them. Without question, it is the most complimented part of our home and easily one of my favorite features as well. While it has even expanded a bit since our design spotlight with ALIVE Magazine three years ago, I love how dreamy and eclectic it looks in this photo.

Photo by Megan Magray // See more from our 2016 ALIVE Magazine home tour here

Without an ounce of midwestern modesty, I can say I’m damn proud of how it turned out. Three cheers for the plate wall!

Hoping to add an easy and affordable installation into your home? Check out these other plate wall wins from Instagram below. Isn’t it amazing how they work with any design style?

I love how this collection wraps around the mirror!

 

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A post shared by Jessica (@twohearts_and_ahome) on May 30, 2019 at 6:39am PDT

Can we talk about these colors? I especially love a gallery wall on a colorful wall since we’re thinking about painting!

 

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A post shared by Kate Roberts (@katerobertsceramics) on May 30, 2019 at 7:19am PDT

Blue and white china isn’t my personal favorite but this layered, full-wall look is insane in the best of ways!

 

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A post shared by (@pennyanninteriors) on May 21, 2019 at 8:01am PDT

Those metallic additions really make this wall pop!

 

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A post shared by Olivia (@olivesr4ever) on May 17, 2019 at 7:40am PDT

Consider this my favorite, even if the plate wall is rather small. How amazing is this entire dining set up?

 

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A post shared by Rachel (@rachel_at_number_four) on May 12, 2019 at 3:34am PDT

Do I spy a dish-themed wallpaper in addition to a plate wall?

 

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A post shared by Grace Mitchell (@astoriedstyle) on May 3, 2019 at 6:23pm PDT

These dishes pop so well off this blush wall!

 

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A post shared by Louise Chidgey & Cass Titcombe (@brassicarestaurant_mercantile) on Apr 27, 2019 at 7:54am PDT

The idea of plates this close together initially bugged me, but I actually love how this looks! (And I have a few of those West Elm plates!)

 

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A post shared by Maisdecor (@maisuminstadecor) on Apr 19, 2019 at 2:59pm PDT

The addition of oval and rectangular plates looks fantastic!

 

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A post shared by A.S.C| Quarters On A Dime (@quarters_on_a_dime) on Apr 15, 2019 at 7:59am PDT

This wavy shape sure makes the ceilings look high!

 

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A post shared by everyday.decor (@_everyday_decor_) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:12pm PDT

Tiny plate additions for the win!

 

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A post shared by The Humehold Farmhouse (@bayou_farmhouse) on Mar 25, 2019 at 7:51am PDT

I love the symmetry around the centered artwork.

 

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A post shared by Chompunut RujimaTineekul (@superchompoo) on Mar 16, 2019 at 12:58am PDT

Tetris or a plate wall? This is beyond extra and I am here for it.

 

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A post shared by V-lam Li (@vlamli) on Mar 9, 2019 at 2:30am PST

Plates in a non dining area! They pop wonderfully off the coral color.

 

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A post shared by Kristi Dominguez (@ishouldbemoppingthefloor) on Mar 6, 2019 at 8:52am PST

Double plate wall! Also, is this the color I should paint my living room? I think so.

 

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A post shared by Laura (@laurathomasonblog) on Mar 5, 2019 at 7:23am PST

I love those pops of color.

 

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A post shared by LAURA BURKITT (@lauraburkittstylist) on Feb 24, 2019 at 1:22am PST

Oh hey! That bee plate (which was a gift from my friend Erin) started my plate wall in the first place!

 

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A post shared by Jen (@my.purposed.place) on May 29, 2019 at 6:54pm PDT

Looking to build your own collection? I typically found my new ones on sale racks at Anthropologie and West Elm, as well as some from Target, Pier 1, and Home Goods. Tons have come from thrift shops or garage sales, and I’ve even selected a few on various vacations. Collecting is extra fun when you can find pieces while traveling! To get you started on your display, here are some of my favorites currently available online for less than $25.