How to Creatively Display a Pottery Collection

Use pottery to bring a room to life

Pottery and vintage dishware are popular collectibles among both art and antique lovers. Many modern (as well as traditional) designs for dishes and serving pieces elevate these utilitarian objects to an art form. You can best enjoy these functional pieces of art when you can see and even use them throughout your home. Here are a few ideas for creatively displaying your collection that go beyond the mere kitchen.

Instructions

1. Combine similar pieces on open shelves or in display cabinets. Hand-crafted bowls, pitchers or tureens become sculptural objects when put on display on open shelves where they can be enjoyed. Group pieces on your shelves by color or by type of object to create a pleasing display. Allow the details of the pieces to shine through by minimizing other accessories on your shelves--or combine your pottery with complementary table linens, books or fruit for a softer look.

2. Add glass to some of your kitchen or dining-room cabinets so your functional collections can be seen. Often-used items need to be behind closed doors to prevent dust accumulation. But you can still enjoy their visual impact by replacing parts of your cabinet doors with glass inserts. Stacked in your cabinets, colorful dinner plates and even eclectic 1950s Pyrex designs can be a feast for your eyes while cooking or eating.

3. Use pieces throughout your home as functional accessories. Instead of using ho-hum plastic organizers or containers, tame your clutter with a beautiful piece from your collections. Hand-wrought glass or pottery tumblers serve as great toothbrush or pencil holders. Use small bowls, dessert plates or saucers as candy dishes or key trays. Vintage pottery platters or dinner plates can serve as pretty mail trays. Use stray saucers as coasters on your side tables. Add some beauty to mundane tasks by using small bowls and cups as drawer organizers for your dresser or desk.

4. Group platters, plates or saucers in a wall arrangement. Elevate your dishware designs to artwork status by displaying them like paintings. When combined over a dresser or sideboard, flat pieces with complementary designs can serve as a focal point for your room. Use an eye-catching piece like a larger transferware platter to anchor the arrangement and draw in your eye. Group pieces symmetrically for a more formal look, or arrange a hodgepodge of sizes and shapes for a casual display.

5. Display floral arrangements or potted plants in larger pottery pieces. Pitchers, punch bowls or soup tureens are ideal containers for fresh or dried flower arrangements, and can be used as beautiful table centerpieces. They can also hold indoor potted plants. Pot your plant in a plastic flower pot that is slightly smaller than your pottery container. The bowl or tureen will catch any excess water and serve as an eye-catching alternative to decorative pots.