Shelf Display

• Baker’s racks, freestanding shelving units, bookshelves and even the fireplace mantel are areas of the home that often become cluttered without a proper display design. Clear off the cookbooks and other utensils. Gather together a collection of your favorite ceramic plates to liven up the shelves. Plates may belong to a matching set or feature a mix-and-match collection of colors and patterns. When mixing multiple patterns, try to keep the plates the same size to create uniformity. A mixed collection also looks best on a simple shelving unit in a natural finish or neutral color. Fill the shelves with the plates, leaving an inch or two between the plates to prevent the shelves from looking too crowded.
  
  

Unexpected Wall Art

• Hanging plates on the wall creates visual interest. According to an article published by the Apartment Therapy website, there is no wrong way to display plates on the wall. Create a funky, modern vibe by arranging brightly colored plates in an unexpected way, such as a wave pattern or on a diagonal. For a more traditional look, arrange a grid on the wall using painter’s tape, then use the grid as a guideline to design a wall using the ceramic plates. Hang plates in the corners of the grid or along the parallel lines.
  
  

Candle Display

• Gather small plates to serve as unexpected candle holders. Dessert plates are the ideal size for holding pillar candles. In the center of a coffee table, kitchen table or dining room table, arrange three to five dessert plates in the center. Set pillar candles in the centers of the plates, or arrange a collection of smaller candles on a plate. For homes with children or pets, substitute traditional candles with battery-operated candles.
  
  

Mirror and Art Display

• Hanging plates also adds interest to mirrors or pieces of art, according to the decorating website Recaptured Charm. For a wall with a large circular mirror, hang a few smaller circular plates around the mirror to create a bubblelike effect on the wall. Another option is to arrange the plates above the mirror or piece of art to create a crownlike molding. There is no standard way to hang the plates; just arrange them on the wall in a way that brings additional interest to the piece.