How to Make a DIY Plate Wreath With Thrift Store Finds

Make a china plate wreath with thrifted dishes that cost under $3! Easy DIY plate wreath with hot glue and pipe cleaners. Get the tutorial.

center view of diy plate wreath with thrifted finds

Want to make a china plate wreath without spending much? This DIY plate wreath uses thrifted plates and bowls, a pre-made wreath, pipe cleaners, and hot glue.

My plates and bowls cost under $3 for the whole set! The look is pretty, vintage, and a little shabby chic.

🌸 Quick Takeaways

Table of Contents

Learn the exact materials and tools you need to gather before starting your plate wreath project
Follow simple step-by-step instructions to arrange and secure thrifted plates onto a finished wall wreath
Get tips for choosing the right china plates and placing them for the best visual impact
See a photo layout of the finished wreath so you know what to expect

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It’s time for this month’s Thrift Store Decor Team challenge. There are so many creative ideas using thrifted or budget-friendly finds.

Be sure to read to the bottom of this post to check out the links for all of the DIY projects.

DIY China Plate Wreath

If you follow me on Facebook, you know I love to search thrift stores for beautiful china. Sometimes all I find is a pretty teacup. Other times I find a complete set I can’t pass up.

I enjoy decorating my hutch for each holiday and season, and the only way to do that on a budget is to thrift!

While browsing my local Goodwill, I spotted a few pretty dishes and bowls with soft pink and blue flowers.

I’ve been wanting to make a china plate wreath and knew these dishes would be perfect for a shabby chic or cottage core look.

How to Make a Plate Wreath: Quick Overview

Add a wire hanger and hang it up.
Lay out the plates on the wreath to plan your placement.
Glue a pipe cleaner and a piece of cardboard to the back of each plate.
Twist each plate onto the wreath from the back.
Glue on faux greenery and flowers.

Full details and photos are below.

Plate Wreath Supplies: What You Need Before You Start

This craft is surprisingly simple and very versatile. I decorated this plate wreath with spring in mind. You can follow the same tutorial for Christmas, fall, a bridal shower, or even a unique Mother’s Day gift.

Here is what you need:

Coordinating small plates and bowls. Mine were under $3 for all the pieces!
Pre-made wreath. I scored mine at Goodwill too. If you don’t have one, you can use a wire wreath form, a grapevine wreath, or a foam wreath. A pre-made wreath saves a ton of time.
Pipe cleaners, or wire with wire cutters
Ribbon for a bow
Cardboard
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Faux greenery and flowers

Tips for Choosing Plates for a China Plate Wreath

Stick to a color palette. Dishes with matching or coordinating flowers look cohesive, even when the patterns differ.
Choose small, light pieces. Saucers, small plates, and shallow bowls are easier to attach and won’t weigh down the wreath.
Mix sizes. A few larger plates with smaller ones tucked between them add depth.
Check for chips. Small flaws are fine because most will be hidden, but avoid cracks.
Bring the wreath along if you can. Holding a plate against the wreath in the store helps you judge the scale.

How to Make a DIY China Plate Wreath

Step 1: Determine Placement

Lay out the plates on the wreath first to get a sense of the placement and how many plates you’ll need. I added a pink velvet bow first so I could see how much room there would be for the plates.

Step 2: Attach Pipe Cleaners

Secure a pipe cleaner to the back of each plate with hot glue and a piece of cardboard. The cardboard helps hold the pipe cleaner in place.

If your dishes are heavy and you’re concerned about how secure they are, you can use a combination of hot glue and E-6000.

securing pipe cleaner and cardboard to plate

My wreath will be indoors and not exposed to moisture, so I felt comfortable with this method. Another option is to use plate hangers.

Step 3: Attach the Plates

Now attach each plate to the wreath from the back, twisting the pipe cleaner tightly to secure it. For a full look, overlap the plates slightly.

securing plate to wreath with pipe cleaners

Fair warning, this part was a little difficult, mostly because you’re working on the back of the wreath, trying to carefully secure the plates. But the end result is worth it!

Step 4: Add Embellishments

Now for the fun part, decorating! Add whatever greenery and florals you like. I’m loving the cottage core look and chose pretty pink and white. Secure the flowers to the wreath with hot glue.

If I’d had lavender flowers in my craft stash, I might have added those, but I’m so happy with how it turned out.

Step 5: Add Wire for Hanging

Secure a piece of wire to the back to hang your wreath. Then step back and admire your creativity.

Where to Hang a Plate Wreath

There are so many ways to enjoy this wreath. I could see it hanging in a dining room or a bedroom. It would also look lovely on an old window.

I chose to hang mine on an oversized wooden arch, and I love the added dimension.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Skipping the layout step. Placing the plates first helps you see gaps and avoid running out of room for the bow.
Using dishes that are too heavy. Heavy dishes can pull a wreath out of shape. Choose lighter pieces, or add E-6000 for extra hold.
Using it outdoors. This method is for indoor wreaths that won’t be exposed to moisture. For a spot with more exposure, use plate hangers instead of glue.
Rushing the back. Twist the pipe cleaners tightly and check that each plate feels secure before you add the flowers.

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Plate Wreath FAQ

How do you make a plate wreath?

Attach a pipe cleaner to the back of each plate with hot glue and cardboard. Then twist each plate onto a pre-made wreath, overlap them slightly, and add faux flowers and a bow.

What kind of wreath base can I use?

A pre-made wreath is the fastest option. You can also use a wire wreath form, a grapevine wreath, or a foam wreath.

How do you attach plates to a wreath?

I use pipe cleaners, cardboard, and hot glue. For heavy dishes, add E-6000, or use plate hangers.

Can I make a plate wreath for other seasons?

Yes. Use the same steps for Christmas, fall, a bridal shower, or a Mother’s Day gift. Just change the plates, ribbon, and florals.

Can a china plate wreath hang outside?

I made mine for indoor use, away from moisture. If you’d like one outdoors, the glue method may not hold up, so plate hangers are a safer choice.

Thrift Store Decor Tour

Now, it’s time to hop on over to see the rest of the Thrift Store Decor Tour. You can take the tour by clicking the links below the “before” makeovers photo collage.