How to Make a DIY Plate Wreath With Thrift Store Finds

Create a stunning DIY plate wreath using thrift store dishes. This budget-friendly project is a great way to add vintage charm to your home!

close up of diy plate wreath with pink velvet bow

This post contains affiliate links. If you shop the links in this post there is no additional cost to you, but I may earn a small commission. Please see my full disclosure here.

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 Plate Wreath

Table of Contents

If you follow me on facebook you know I love to search thrift stores for beautiful china. Sometimes all I’ll find is a pretty tea cup, other times I’ll 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 wreath.

Wreath Making Supplies

This craft is surprisingly simple to make and extremely versatile. While I decorated this plate wreath with spring in mind, you can easily follow this same tutorial to make one 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 also scored this wreath at Goodwill. If you don’t have a pre-made wreath, you can make a wreath base with a wire wreath form, grapevine wreath, or foam wreath; a pre-made wreath saves a ton of time.
Pipe Cleaners – or wire with wire cutters
Ribbon for Bow
Cardboard
Hot Glue Gun and glue sticks
Faux Greenery and flowers

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 will 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 will help secure the pipe cleaner.

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

securing pipe cleaner and cardboard to plate

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

Step 3. Attach Plates

Now you can attach each plate to the wreath from the back side securing the pipe cleaner, twisting it tightly. For a full look, be sure to overlap the plates slightly.

securing plate to wreath with pipe cleaners

Fair warning, this part was a little difficult, mostly because you are 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 to go with pretty pink and white.

Secure the flowers to the wreath with hot glue.

If I 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. Step back and admire your creativity.

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

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

PIN FOR LATER

I’d love it if you would share this article with your friends on Pinterest by pinning the below image.

It helps my blog grow and doesn’t cost a thing! 🙂

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.