How to Hang an Oval Plate on a Wall

Decorative plates can enhance your living room or kitchen walls.

An oval plate can be used for decorative purposes--once it's in good condition, with no chips or scratches. Hanging an oval plate on the wall is very similar to hanging a picture on the wall. Key to the process is selecting the proper plate and ensuring the wall hanger to be used is able to support the weight of the plate.

Things You'll Need

• Stud finder
• Pencil
• Drill
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• Plastic wall anchor
• Hammer
• 1-inch-long screw
• Screwdriver
• Plate hanger

Instructions

Insert the Wall Screw

1. Turn on a stud finder and place it flat against the wall in the location where you want to hang the oval plate. Move the stud finder over the wall until it lights up, identifying the location of a wall stud, which is a wooden beam behind the wall. Mark the location of the stud with a pencil.

2. Insert a 1/4-inch drill bit into a drill and create a 1-inch-deep hole in the wall at the location of the pencil mark.

3. Insert a plastic wall anchor into the drilled hole and gently tap it in with a hammer until the top of the anchor is flush with the surface of the wall.

4. Insert a 1-inch screw into the top of the anchor with a screwdriver until only 1/4 inch is protruding from the wall.

Attach the Plate Hanger

1. Purchase a spring-loaded, metal plate hanger in the shape of an "H," with curved hooks at each point.

2. Turn the oval plate face down on a flat surface. Place the top two ends of the plate hanger over the top edge of the plate so that the hooks hang over the front of the plate.

3. Pull the bottom of the plate hanger down and attach the two lower ends to the bottom of the plate by positioning the hooks under the bottom edge of the plate.

4. Pick up the oval plate and turn it so that the back faces the wall. Insert the screw hook on the back of the hanger over the screw in the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on the size of the oval plate, you may be able to install the plate hanger lengthwise or widthwise--although in most cases it will only fit widthwise.

• For lightweight plates, use an adhesive plate hanger that simply sticks to the back of the plate.

References

• Service Magic: Wall Plates and Plate Holders
• Rental Decorating Digest: Hanging Decorative Plates