The Everyday Kitchen Item You Should Hang on Your Wall

Finding the right artwork to complete your kitchen’s decor isn’t always easy. The options are endless — a traditional painting, cheeky prints, old advertising, the list goes on. One thing you maybe haven’t thought of? Plates.

When done right, the look of hanging plates on the wall quickly goes from grandma territory to completely stylish. Here’s how to keep it looking fresh and modern.

Have more than one empty wall? No problem! Spread out your plates across two walls to create visual interest. Hang them in straight lines around the room or opt for more of a fluid swoop (as shown here), which feels organic and artsy — not stuffy.

See more: Making it Work in a Bare-Bones Texas Home at Design Sponge

Keeping both the plates and the wall color in the same family of colors increases the impact of the display tenfold. This exact look is easy to pull off, as traditional blue china in this pattern (often called willow or chinoiserie) is readily available at many flea markets or thrift stores. If you’re working with plates you already have, pick out one color and use it to paint your wall before hanging.

See more plate setups: Woontrends at Stijlvol Styling

Pieces with special features — like hexagonal platters or ones with fluted edges — add an extra bit of dimension and interest to a plate display. If this example is too girly for you, try something wackier like lobster platters or pineapple-shaped trays. Don’t be afraid to have fun with it.

Thanks for reading Kitchen Hang-Ups! It’s a weekly column to give you all sorts of ideas for things to hang from your walls — or even the ceiling.