Dish Decor: Incorporating Your Dishes into Your Home's Style

Who says dishes are only meant for the kitchen? With a little creativity and an eye for design, your beloved tableware can become an integral part of your home's decor. From vintage china to modern ceramics, dishes offer a unique opportunity to add personality and charm to any room. Let's explore how you can turn your plates, bowls, and serving pieces into stunning decorative elements that complement your home's style.

The Art of Dish Display

Before diving into specific ideas, it's important to understand the basics of effective dish display. The key is to create visually appealing arrangements that showcase your decorative dishes while complementing your existing decor. Consider these factors:

• Color coordination: Choose dishes that either match or pleasantly contrast with your room's color scheme.
• Balance: Mix and match different sizes, shapes, and heights for an interesting display.
• Grouping: Arrange dishes in odd numbers (3, 5, 7) for a more visually pleasing look.
• Layering: Combine dishes with other decorative elements like books, plants, or candles for depth and interest.

Kitchen Charm: Beyond the Cabinet

Let's start in the kitchen, where you may be wondering, what should I do with a decorative dish? 

Open Shelving Showcase

Transform your kitchen by installing open shelves and arranging your favorite dishes in eye-catching displays. Mix and match colors, patterns, and textures for a vibrant look. Don't be afraid to include other kitchen items like cookbooks or small potted herbs for added interest.

Plate Walls 

Create a stunning focal point by hanging a collection of plates on your kitchen wall. Experiment with different layouts – symmetrical grids for a modern look or eclectic arrangements for a more whimsical feel. Use plate hangers or adhesive discs for a clean, hardware-free look.

Countertop Vignettes

Style your countertops with small groupings of dishes. A cake stand topped with a stack of colorful bowls or a vintage platter propped against the backsplash can add instant charm.

Dining Room Drama: Tableware as Art

The dining room offers plenty of opportunities to showcase your dishes beyond mealtime:

China Cabinet Makeover

 Give your china cabinet a fresh look by arranging dishes in unexpected ways. Instead of neat stacks, try angling plates or creating interesting color gradients. Mix in small objects d'art or family heirlooms for a personal touch.

Buffet-top Gallery

 Turn your buffet or sideboard into a gallery of beautiful dishes. Create depth by leaning larger plates at the back and placing smaller dishes or bowls in front. Add height with cake stands or trifle dishes filled with seasonal objects.

Chandelier Companion

 For a truly unique look, hang a few lightweight plates or saucers around your dining room chandelier. This unexpected touch adds whimsy and draws the eye upward.

Living Room Elegance: Unexpected Dish Decor

Bringing dishes into the living room might seem unconventional, but it can add a delightful touch of elegance:

Coffee Table Centerpiece 

Create an eye-catching centerpiece for your coffee table using a large, decorative platter or bowl. Fill it with seasonal items, like pinecones in winter or seashells in summer, for an ever-changing display.

Mantel Magic

 Incorporate dishes into your mantel decor by leaning plates against the wall or using them as bases for candles or small plants. Mix and match with frames, vases, and other decorative objects for a cohesive look.

Bookshelf Beauty

 Add interest to your bookshelves by using small plates or shallow bowls as bookends. You can also place a stack of pretty dessert plates between books for a pop of color and texture.

Bedroom Bliss: Subtle Dish Accents

Even in the bedroom, dishes can find a decorative home:

Vanity Vignette

 Use a vintage saucer or small plate as a catch-all for jewelry on your vanity. Group it with perfume bottles and a small vase for a charming, feminine touch.

Nightstand Necessities

A pretty teacup and saucer can serve as a stylish holder for small items like hair ties, earplugs, or even as a unique planter for a small succulent.

Wall-mounted Wonder

For a truly unique headboard alternative, consider creating a large-scale plate wall above your bed. Choose plates in soothing colors and patterns for a serene atmosphere.

Bathroom Brilliance: Functional Dish Decor

The bathroom offers opportunities for both decorative and functional use of dishes:

Sink-side Style

Use a decorative plate or shallow bowl to corral soap, hand lotion, and other toiletries on your bathroom counter.

Towel Charm

Hang a row of decorative plates above your towel rack for an unexpected touch of color and pattern.

Bathtub Bliss

Place a pretty dish near the tub to hold bath salts, soaps, or even a candle for a spa-like touch.

Outdoor Oasis: Dishes Al Fresco

Don't forget about outdoor spaces when considering dish decor:

Patio Plate Wall

Create a colorful focal point on a patio wall with weather-resistant melamine or enamel plates.

Garden Whimsy

Use chipped or cracked dishes as unique planters for succulents or as bird feeders in your garden.

Alfresco Ambiance

Hang vintage enamelware from tree branches or porch rafters for a charming, rustic outdoor dining atmosphere.

Seasonal Sensations: Rotating Your Dish Decor

One of the joys of using dishes as decor is the ability to easily switch things up with the seasons:

Spring Refresh

Bring out pastel-colored dishes and floral patterns to celebrate the renewal of spring.

Summer Vibrancy

Incorporate bright, bold dishes and tropical patterns for a summertime feel.

Autumn Warmth

Switch to rich, warm-toned dishes and nature-inspired patterns for a cozy fall atmosphere.

Winter Wonder

Display your finest china and crystal dishes for a touch of holiday glamour during the winter months.

Caring for Your Dish Decor

To keep your dish displays looking their best:

• Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth
• For dishes used in food display, wash thoroughly after each use
• Handle with care when rearranging displays
• Use plate stands or hangers designed for the purpose to avoid damage

Remember, the key to successful dish decor is to have fun and let your personality shine through. Don't be afraid to mix and match different styles, colors, and patterns. Your dishes tell a story – whether they're family heirlooms, vacation souvenirs, or flea market finds – and incorporating them into your decor allows you to share that story with everyone who enters your home.

So go ahead, liberate those dishes from the cupboard and let them take center stage in your home's decor. With a little creativity and these ideas as a starting point, you'll soon discover countless ways to make your dishes do double duty as both functional tableware and stunning decorative elements.