It Isn't Garbage: Add This Vintage Find To Your Collage Walls

Having a space of your own is one of the best feelings, and decorating it is part of what makes it truly feel like home. Apart from choosing furniture that matches your style, creating a collage wall by displaying your favorite photos, posters, and artworks can be such a rewarding way to showcase your interests. Not only that, it's one of the more beginner-friendly ways to incorporate maximalism in your home. But if your collage wall still feels like it's missing something, mounting everyday objects is one way to add more variety and texture to your assemblage. And if you're into cars, travel, typography, or somehow possess vast knowledge of automobile presence in 20th century films, vintage license plates could be a great addition to your wall's blank spaces.

Collecting vintage license plates has long been a hobby for people who appreciate their designs, history, and cultural significance. Specialty shops like Rustic Plates, Great American Plates, and Plate Depot are good places to start browsing for vintage licenses, with catalogs sorted by state or date. However, getting them from one of the best thrift store chains for home goods is just as worthwhile if you're not picky on plate styles.

Cleaning your vintage license plates before displaying them is entirely up to you, but keeping a little wear and tear here and there can add a rustic touch to your collage wall. If your plate has minor bends or dents, place it on a towel over a flat surface, then gently tap it back into shape with a hammer, or use flat pliers to carefully straighten bent edges. To remove rust, apply an even layer of rust dissolver like Rust-oleum across the whole plate, then scrub the surface carefully with steel wool. For general stains, washing with soap and water works fine, or rub them away with a pencil eraser.

As you assemble your collage wall, explore various methods for displaying your vintage license plates. The most straightforward way is to screw or nail the plates directly onto the wall, use adhesive strips as a renter-friendly alternative, or install magnets as a clever hack for hanging that doesn't require any tools. Alternatively, putting the plates inside picture frames is a more polished way to display them, but there are also other creative options to explore. You can try threading twine or ribbon through the top holes of the plate, then hang by using nails or hooks. For more dimension, fit the plate into other rustic, vintage decor like hanging coat racks, or use the license plates to frame around larger surfaces, such as a wall-mounted mirror. There are many ways to arrange the plates to showcase your personality and bring your collage wall to life.