My thrift store always has so many beautiful (but mismatched) plates. So I decided to buy a few to make a DIY tiered stand from vintage plates. This really blew up on my social media, so I thought I’d write a tutorial if you want to try this too! It’s a fast 30 minute project and then you get the cutest dessert tray with lots of charm.

diy tiered stand from vintage plates

SUPPLIES

• 3 plates (saucer, dessert, and dinner plate)
• Protractor 
• Sharpie
• Tile Drill Bit
• Drill
• Tiered Hardware Kit
• Felt Pads

 

step 1- go thrifting

To begin, go to your thrift store for a little shopping (which, yes, is the funnest assignment)! Then, look through the plate aisle. You’re on the hunt for 3 plates. Here’s what you want-

• Saucer (top tier)
• Dessert Plate (middle tier)
• Dinner Plate (bottom tier)

Buy each of those in a coordinating color/pattern. I choose to look for anything with pink. I was pleasantly surprised to find some mis-matched plates that worked nicely. Note, I suggest not breaking up sets for this, so if someone else wants a set, all the pieces will be there. The joy is using the outcast plates that need a new home and purpose.

thoughts on testing for lead in plates

Whenever I post projects with vintage plates, I get so many comments saying “make sure to test for lead!” Which is a great reminder- none of us want lead poisoning from a DIY project. 

BUT lots of lead tests you can easily get are not designed for ceramics and might give you a false positive or negative. This lead test is designed to work on dishes. However, this lead test is more affordable and is known to not work consistently.

I never test my dishes for lead. Which- gasp! I know might be controversial. Instead, I only buy plates that say “dishwasher safe” on the bottom of the plate if I’m going to eat off of them. Why? Because that usually means the plate was made after 1971 after the FDA began regulating the levels of lead in dishes. 

Also, if you’re going to eat off of dishes, make sure the bottom doesn’t say “for display only. Not for food consumption.” Why? That probably means the plate or glazing has lead in it.

If I’m not going to eat off of the dishes (for example, my mosaic plate table), I don’t worry about if they have lead in them. Just make sure to use a mask when breaking, cutting, or drilling the plates as the dust might release lead. Lead poisoning can occur from breathing in the lead or ingesting it.

Another way you can get lead poisoning from plates is when the lead in the glaze or painted details leaches into the food that’s placed directly onto the plate (this is the ingestion part).

Here are some factors that can speed up the leaching-

• If the food has acid in it (for example, tomatoes or citrus)
• If the plate is heated up (for example, placed in the microwave)
• When food is on the plate for a long amount of time
• If the plate has been used in the dishwasher (which damages the glaze over time)

So, if you are using the diy tiered stand from vintage plates for food, test for lead or buy plates that are newer. Another option is to use the trays for decorative objects. It’d be so cute in a craft room with supplies! I think I’ll use mine for fake food.

step 2- find center

Next, you’re going to mark center on each plate. To do this, measure the plate with a protractor– the small size works nicely for fitting and marking the round plate. Mark the center of the plate with a pencil or Sharpie. We started with a pencil, but later switched to a Sharpie so it’d be easier to see the mark. I suggest marking the top of the plate so you can drill from the side you’ll see.

step 3- drill the hole

And now, let’s get drilling. For this project, make sure to use tile drill bits. Place the tile drill bit in the drill, dip it in water, and begin making a hole on the marked center of the plate. Keep the hardware for the tray close by to make sure the hole you drill is big enough for the threaded portion of the hardware to go through. 

Quick Safety Tips

• Wear safety glasses when drilling
• Use a mask when drilling ceramic
• Drill slowly to avoid cracking

Note, sometimes the drill bit goes right through and sometimes it’s trickier. It all depends on what the plate is made of. And, unfortunately, there’s no way to know beforehand how hard each plate will be to drill through.

If it’s a little slow going, here are some tips-

• Start with the smallest bit drill and create a little hole. Then keep moving up sizes to slowly make the hole larger until the hardware will fit through the hole. 
• If it’s taking more than 15 seconds to drill through, dip it in water to cool the bit (just the bit, not the drill). We keep a little plastic cup of water close by for this.
• Another method is to drill from the front, and then flip the plate over and drill from the back of it. Slowly work your way through the plate until the hole is created. This also helps to prevent big chunks of plate from coming out during the drilling.

step 4- assemble

Finally, it’s assembly time! The tiered hardware kit comes with all the pieces needed including soft washers for between the hardware. 

Follow the instructions included in the kit. Begin with placing the metal washer on the screw followed by a foam washer for the bottom tier. Thread the screw upward through the largest plate which will be the base of the tray.

Then, screw the first rod or stand piece onto the screw on top of the dinner plate. Place a foam washer on top of the rod.

Continue to add the next dessert plate which creates the center tier.

Add a foam washer and then screw on the second rod onto the top of the middle plate. Place a foam washer on top of the second rod.

And now, place the smallest saucer plate onto the top of the rod.

Place a foam washer on top of the top plate. Then screw on the third rod onto the top of the saucer. Finish by screwing on the decorative handle (in this case, the gold bow) onto the top.

At this point my DIY tiered stand from vintage plates was a little wobbly. To add stability, I placed some felt pads along the bottom of the lowest plate and below the screw. This also prevents scratches.

tiered hardware kit

There are a TON of options for tiered hardware kits. I thought I’d link my favorites so you could see some different looks. Lots of these come in different finishes too! Click on the image below to be taken to the product page to shop.

 

after

And here we are! The DIY tiered stand from vintage plates. Isn’t it super cute?!

I love how the patterns on the plates coordinate, but aren’t too match-y.

Lots of people get upset when vintage plates are upcycled, but I think this project honors the integrity of the plate while giving it a new purpose and function. Hopefully extending the plate’s life!

Here’s some other styling ideas if you’re making this as well-

• Cupcakes or cookies
• Jewelry holder on a dresser
• Craft supplies organizer
• Seasonal decor (ornaments, mini pumpkins, etc.)

price breakdown

I thought I’d add a price breakdown for how much this diy tiered stand from vintage plates cost me.

• 3 plates (saucer, dessert, and dinner plate) $5
• Tiered Hardware Kit $10
• Felt Pads $4

Already had on hand

• Protractor 
• Sharpie
• Tile Drill Bit
• Drill

This project cost me $19. If you need to buy the tile drill bits, that’ll double the cost (they’re pricey). The thrifted plates made this project really affordable! Another great way to save money on this project is using plates you have in your cupboard. 

And that’s it! A simple thrift flip that turns mismatched plates into something charming and functional. I love that this project gives forgotten pieces a new life- and honestly, it makes everything you serve on it feel a little extra special. Mine is on display in my kitchen and it makes me smile whenever I see it. How would you use one if you made this?

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