16 Creative Ways To Repurpose Charger Plates

Is your collection of charger plates collecting dust? They're pretty for the holidays or to decorate a dining table in a formal dining room, but most people don't use chargers on a daily basis. Ornamental chargers are slightly larger than dinner plates and aren't meant to be eaten off of — in fact, they aren't typically made of food-safe materials. Still, chargers are available in a wide range of colors, materials, patterns, and styles. They're practically begging to be turned into pretty decor and fun DIY projects, from wall sconces and mirrors to countdown chalkboards and custom floral signs. 

Repurposing charger plates is an affordable way to add new decor if you have old chargers you no longer use. If you don't, check out local thrift stores or estate sales for chargers that draw your attention — they're one of many home decor steals you should never leave the thrift store without. Or, head to Dollar Tree, where you'll find a wide range of charger plates in various colors and patterns, including holiday themes. To inspire your creativity, we've gathered 16 of the best upcycling projects using chargers as the main component.

Charger plates work well as round wall signs, especially chargers with raised edges, which act as a frame. The best part of this craft is you can customize it any way you want. Choose paint colors, ribbon accents, and silk florals that complement your home decor, so the resulting wall hanging blends perfectly. Vinyl cutouts and stencils help you add custom designs. This charger project is also a creative way to use decoupage — find a calendar page, decorative napkin, or other images, and decoupage them on the charger. 

This quick and easy craft quickly turns a charger into a tray with handles. All you need is a pair of drawer pulls or cabinet handles that coordinate with the charger's style. Consider the size of the handles to make sure they fit the scale of the plate. Then, carefully mark and drill holes for the handles, and screw them in place. Placing a board under a plastic charger when you drill can make it easier. Use the tray to carry small items, or add decor as a decorative display.

Another variation is an elevated charger plate. Find a charger you love (or decorate a plain charger), and add little wooden pieces on the bottom as legs. You can use mini furniture legs, peg dolls, or other small wooden objects, like these Toinsix Wood Wall Hooks. Glue three or four wooden pegs on the bottom of the charger, spacing them evenly. With the plate elevated, you can tuck strands of fairy lights underneath or add seasonal decor, like pine boughs or sprigs of silk fall leaves, to peek out from the edges.

For this project, grab a clock movement mechanism with hands that match your home's style. This Mudder High Torque Long Shaft Clock Movement Mechanism includes multiple hand styles. Or, reuse a broken clock to make a brand new timepiece. Either way, make sure the hands fit within the flat part of your charger, so they move freely. Drill a hole in the center of the charger and position the clock movement. Leave it plain or add marks or numbers around the clock. Lean the charger clock on a shelf, or add a hanger to display it on the wall.

Keep paper plates easily accessible with a holder using a decorative charger plate as the back. You'll also need a Cooking Concepts Wire Napkin Holder from Dollar Tree or a thrifted napkin holder — this project is one of many surprising ways to use and style thrifted napkin holders. Position the napkin holder near the bottom of the charger, drilling two holes on each side to zip tie the napkin holder in place. If you want to hide the metal holder, add a decorative sign, flowers, or other embellishments.

Give an old plant stand a new look with a decorative charger plate. It's one of many brilliant ways to repurpose an old or thrifted plant stand. You'll need a charger that's slightly larger than the top of the plant stand. Use construction adhesive or another strong glue to attach the charger to the tabletop. It helps to put something heavy on top while the adhesive cures. Then, spray paint the table and charger one color for a uniform look. Buff around the edges will create an aged look.

Dress up your kitchen with a charger plate display that includes wooden utensils. Leave the wood utensils as-is, or stain them a different color to work with your kitchen. Adding a bow or raffia tied around the utensils before gluing them onto the charger plate adds an extra little touch. You can also decoupage a cooking-related saying or image in the center of the charger. It's an ideal decor item for kitchen shelf styling when placed on a plate stand, or add a hanger to the back to make it a wall hanging.

There are many creative ideas for chalkboard wall art, but this idea turns a charger into a chalkboard countdown tool. Make it for holidays, birthdays, family vacations, or other regular events. Just cover the center of the charger with chalkboard paint, and add a label around the edge based on the theme of the countdown chalkboard. Each day, change the number as you count down to the activity or event. Or, simply turn a pretty charger into a chalkboard, where you can leave notes or inspirational messages.

Chargers are the ideal size to practice the decorating rule of threes when it comes to pillar candles. They typically have just the right amount of space for three candles of varying heights to sit on them, making chargers an ideal candlescape surface. It creates a defined space for the candles and other decorative pieces you put around them, like greenery, ornaments, or seashells. To create this project, space out your candles, and tuck the other decorations between them. You can add floral foam to hold floral picks in place.

If candles aren't your vibe, you can create a similar look by designing a holiday or seasonal scene on top of the charger. Winter feelings are easy to create by pouring some faux snow or Epsom salt onto a holiday-themed charger and adding little elements, like brush trees or a house from a Christmas village. For fall, cover the charger with colorful leaves and arrange pumpkins on top. With the popularity of decorating tiered trays, many stores sell little decor pieces that fit perfectly. 

Grab two long, rectangular chargers and paint them black (or whatever color you prefer) to form the base and top of a DIY lantern. You'll need to build a frame from wood that sits on top of the bottom charger. Leave the sides open, or cover them with flexible Dollar Tree Cooking Concepts Chopping Mats for a frosted lantern look. The second charger gets flipped upside down with tap lights glued on to make the lantern glow. You can add a hook or top decoration to give it a more lantern-like look.

Accent mirrors brighten your space and add even add a dazzling effect when they're accented by sparkly gemstones. Create a signature glam mirror by gluing a round frameless mirror to the center of a charger plate. The edge of the charger becomes the frame of the mirror. If it's already decorative enough for your tastes, leave it as-is. If not, glue embellishments like diamond-like gemstones for a glam look or nautical rope for a rustic feel. 

Love the look of three-tiered trays, but don't like the cost? Build your own using a charger plate as the large base. Inexpensive glass candle holders from Dollar Tree create sturdy pedestals, which you can glue in place. For the second and third tiers, source smaller plates with a coordinating look. You could even use a bowl for the top tier. If you want a more uniform look, spray paint everything. This DIY is ideal for decor, but it may not be safe for food due to the charger material and spray paint.

Another pricy home decor piece you can DIY with a charger is a wall sconce. A rectangular charger creates the backplate for this creation. The original creator then glued a half circle of foam across the middle and glued balloon sticks of different lengths along the foam. Tap lights glued on either side of the foam behind the sticks turns this decorative piece into a battery-powered sconce. Play with different cover materials and accents to create a look that fits your room. 

A wicker charger adds a natural look to your space. For this DIY, you'll attach it to a rope to create a hanging shelf. Drill four evenly spaced holes around the edge, and thread rope through them, tying the ropes at the top to create a hanger. If the wicker charger isn't super sturdy, stack two chargers together. Once you hang it from a hook, you can add decor pieces to your suspended wicker shelf.

If you have several rectangular chargers, piece them together to make a pillar-style table. You'll glue pairs of rectangular chargers together with the tops facing each other to create an enclosed structure. Once you've glued all of your pairs, stack them on top of each other and secure with more adhesive. Leave one tray on top, right side up. A coat of spray paint gives the table base a consistent look. You can balance a piece of wood or glass on top of the stack, but decorate with caution to keep the table from tipping.