How to Decorate a Tray Ceiling With Plates

Measure all along the interior rise of your tray ceiling to determine how many plates you can use. Using a measuring tape, measure each side. Four sides are most common, but you could have more.

Determine a hanging pattern for your plates by creating a test layout. Unwind the measuring tape on the floor to the measurement of the first side. Arrange the plates in a straight line along the measuring tape, experimenting with spacing until you find one that works for your specific plates. Take note of the measurements between each plate.

Measure from the corner of the rise on the first side to the spot where you want your first plate to go. Mark with a pencil. Attach a wire plate hanger for the first plate. Screw it into place, using a drill to form a pilot hole if necessary.

Snap the first plate into the wire plate hanger.

Continue to hang the plate hangers and the plates on the first side of the rise until you reach the corner. Then do the second and subsequent sides, following the same procedure that you used for the first side.