Repurpose Thrifted Glassware Into A Gorgeous Hanging Storage Solution

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Your local thrift store is likely filled with aisles of old dishware and glassware, which you can usually pick up for a steal under $5 or less. While they work beautifully as pieces to eat off of, there are also many fun and functional ways to utilize vintage and older dishware for other purposes, including décor that can create a cottage-style whimsical or romantic feel in rooms far away from the dining room or kitchen. Instagrammer @lizfenwickdiy shows off how she created a stunning set of wall hooks from two smaller vintage floral plates, using some small cabinet knobs. These plate hooks are perfect for hanging bags, accessories, and other items in style.

Depending on the size of the plate and knob you use, you can completely customize the size of your hook. They look especially cute when grouped with several together, either lined up vertically or horizontally. You could also stagger different plates in different sizes on a wall randomly for an entire installation of decorative hooks. Many people are putting pretty vintage pates on their walls as décor, so this steps it up a notch to add storage as well. It's a great eco-friendly way to repurpose old dishes and keep them out of landfills.  

Creating a vintage plate hook

To turn vintage plates into hooks, there are a couple of approaches for adding the knobs to the center of each plate. Flat-bottomed knobs, like these GlideRite Classic Oval Drawer Knobs or these Sleek Round Antique Brass Knobs, can be secured with a heavy-duty adhesive like E6000 or Gorilla Glue that requires no drilling. You could also use a diamond drill bit designed for ceramics to install the hardware from the back. Which approach works best may depend on how flat your plate is on the bottom and whether there is clearance for the fastener without making the plate jut out from the wall.

To hang the plate securely, you can employ a variety of different techniques. You can use a drywall anchor to install a screw, using an adhesive flat hook like these Wall Plate Hangers. You can also buy Stainless Steel Plate Hangers that attach to the plate by hooking at the edges.

There are many variations on this fun project, including using dishes of various sizes and different knob styles. Instead of knobs, you could also use regular hooks, or make your own by heating and bending vintage silverware to make stylish wall hooks. You can also use dishware like platters and trays to create a single piece with multiple hooks.

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