Rather than simply throwing your old china plates away, why not use them to decorate different rooms in your house? By reusing items you already have, you can really save money on decorating your home. When you use them creatively, old china plates can really add to the décor of your home.

Make a Mosaic Table from Old China Plates
Don’t toss those old chipped or broken plates in the garbage. Rather, break them up further so you can use them to make a mosaic table from all the broken pieces.

• Simply break the pieces of the china into smaller pieces.
• Next, arrange the piece on a flat-surfaced table, such as a coffee table or side table.
• Then glue those pieces to the table, creating a mosaic pattern.
• Use grout to seal the pieces in place and give the table a finished appearance.
• Arrange the pieces in whatever pattern you like. You might even choose to use colored grout, which will give the table some more character.

Display Old China Plates on a Shelf
Do your old china plates have some character to them? They why not display them on a shelf in your home? You don’t have to limit your use of china plates as décor items to the dining room. Depending on how they fit the style of the room, these plates can be displayed in the living room, the kitchen, and even the bedroom.

If you can, find a shelf that matches the style of the plates. A distressed wood shelf is a great option for plates that are old and look antique. You can really give the area a unique style by using all different sizes of the plates.

Hang Old China Plates on the Wall
Plate hangers are available at craft and home stores and will allow you to easily hang any plate securely on the wall. This is perhaps the most popular way to decorate with china plates, although you can hang all different types and sizes of plates in a single area to create a more unique look. To create a trendy décor space, you might want to look in consignment shops and flea markets for other plates to mix in with your old china.

Paint the Old China Plates
If your old plates are white or even a solid color, you can paint them to match the décor of your room. Be sure to use acrylic paint. You can either paint them all one color, or if you are creative, you can paint pictures or patterns on them. Paint the plates to fit the décor of your dining room or kitchen, and then hang them on the wall or put them on a shelf. By using old china plates this way, you can give your room a new look. If you like, give your kids a couple of plates to paint and then hang up this cute art project in their bedroom.

So when you decide that it’s time to buy new china plates, don’t just throw your old ones away. Instead, you can save yourself some money by using them to decorate your home.