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How to Make Plate Hangers (Cheap But Good)

Published on February 7, 2018Last updated October 18, 2021 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

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Use these instructions to make inexpensive DIY plate hangers for displaying decorative plates on a wall. Made from simple supplies, they are strong and long-lasting.

If you donโ€™t want them on the wall, you can also use old plates to create garden art flowers.

Plates hanging on interior house wall using diy plant hangers.

Make Plate Hangers For Wall

Collection of blue plates hanging on a wall using homemade plate hangers.

I have this small collection of blue and white plates that I wanted to display in our freshly-painted dining room. I had not purchased plate holders in many years and was a little distressed to see how ridiculously priced they can be.

At our local shops, metal plate hangers are $4.99 each. That would be $70 plus tax just to hang some plates!

I scoured online shops and the best I could find was 10 for $14 at Amazon. But that would be for one size only and my plates are a range of sizes.

Next, I searched for ways to make my own. There are quite a few ideas out there, but I eventually went back to a reliable solution I use for hanging garden art outdoors on the fence.

This does involve applying adhesive to the back of the plates to secure wire in place, so some may not like this idea. I have no problem with it because itโ€™s super cheap, strong, and lasts forever.

Here's a quick and inexpensive way to make sturdy plate hangers for displaying decorative plates on a wall.

Materials

  • GE II silicone sealant (works like adhesive)
    If you have not used this product, you can read more about it here.
  • 16-gauge wire
  • Command hooks (removable) โ€“ be sure to get ones that can hold the weight of your plates
    They come in sizes ranging from .5lb (half pound carry weight) and up.
    I like to wait until stuff like this goes on sale because the regular price seems a bit absurd to frugal me. 
  • Wire cutters and needle-nose pliers to bend the wire.

The Plan

Here's a quick and inexpensive way to make sturdy plate hangers for displaying decorative plates on a wall.
  • We are going to attach U-shaped pieces of wire to the backs of the plates using GE II Silicone sealant.
  • These U- shaped hooks will attach to command hooks on the wall.

Assembly

Here's a quick and inexpensive way to make sturdy plate hangers for displaying decorative plates on a wall.
  • Plan your plate arrangement on floor or large table first and photograph it.
  • If your plates have a top/bottom in the design, beware of this when attaching the wires so they are positioned how you want them.
  • Cut wire long enough to create a U shape that fits around the command hook with enough extra to secure in a dab of silicone sealant.
    Place the silicone sealant/wire ends down toward the middle of the plate, so the wire and hook wonโ€™t show on the wall.
  • Read the silicone sealant label for drying time. I allow a few hours.
  • Follow instructions on command hook package for attaching hooks to wall.
    Refer to photo you took of arrangement if you lose track of what should go where.

Tips

  • If possible, weigh your plates so you know which hooks to use. Some of my larger plates weigh nearly 2 lbs eachโ€”more than the smaller hooks can manage.
  • For a heavier plate, you can use a stronger hook or combine two or three together and use an extra loop of wire to fit over them.
  • To get the design just right on the wall, some people trace each plate on paper, cut them out, and arrange them on the wall. I didnโ€™t want to go to that trouble, so I just started with the middle plate and worked my way from there, adding the top one next, then bottom, then sides, and so on.
Here's a quick and inexpensive way to make sturdy plate hangers for displaying decorative plates on a wall.

While I wish command hooks were less expensive, itโ€™s still a lot more affordable to use DIY hangers and hooks, rather than pay for a whole bunch of metal plate hangers.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt โ™›

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Collection of blue plates hanging on a wall using homemade plate hangers.
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How to Make Homemade Plate Hangers

An easy and inexpensive way to make DIY plate hangers for displaying decorative plates on walls.
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Makes: 10 hangers
Author: Melissa J. Will
Cost: $10.00

Equipment

  • 1 Wire cutters
  • 1 Needle-nose pliers

Supplies & Materials

  • 1 tube Silicone sealant
  • 1 roll Wire (16 gauge)
  • 1 pack Command Hooks optional
  • 1 roll Painter's tape optional

Instructions

  • Cut 4-inch lengths of wire and bend with pliers to shape like long, narrow horse shoes.
    Supplies for making homemade plate hangers.
  • Apply silicone sealant to back of plate and set wire ends in desired location for hanging. Be sure loop of wire is not visible from front of plate. Temporarily hold wire in place with painter's tape if needed.
    Bent wire attached to back of plate using silicone sealant.
  • Allow silicone to dry thoroughly before hanging plates.
    Plates hanging on wall with cheap but strong homemade plate hangers.
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I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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