• Plates on display don't have to match each other.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Plates don't always need to hide behind cabinet doors. Think "outside the cabinet" to display plates for decorative purposes that combine functionality and design for a look that goes with any type of decor. From modern graphic-design plates hung on a bedroom wall to antique, "less than perfect" china sitting in a rustic basket, plates can be displayed in a variety of ways that add a contemporary-streamlined or inviting-functional element to any room.
  
  

In the Bedroom

• Display plates in different sizes and odd numbers to avoid a passé symmetrical look.row of plates image by araraadt from Fotolia.com
  
  Hang three to five large decorative plates on the wall over a bed's headboard. Simple, graphic-designs such as a dark brown or black plates featuring a contrasting motif look sleek and contemporary. Hang plates in a horizontal row three to four feet above the headboard. For a more traditional look in the bedroom, hang a grooved shelf over the bed and display plates on the shelf, making sure they'll stay put with a little tacky wax. Tacky wax is a soft, moldable interior design wax used at the base of plates or figurines to keep them from slipping. It is available at most craft stores. However, keep in mind that tacky wax won't hold up during a severe earthquake and this display option is not advisable for earthquake-prone areas.
  
  The convenience of hung or shelved plates makes this display option quick and easy to change out with different plates for a whole new look.
  
  

A Waterfall of Plates On the Wall

• For multiple plates in various sizes and color sets, hang them on the wall in a cascading or flowing design. This display can also expand horizontally across a corner where two joining walls are covered with a "waterfall" of plates that start on one wall and diminish in number, tapering down to one plate on the other wall. This eye-catching display option is ideal for large walls and calls for plates in coordinating colors that blend with decor while adding interest to otherwise "naked" walls. According to an article in Apartment Therapy, round plates are easier to hang in a salon-style (large group) design because you don't have to worry about hanging the plates evenly.
  
  

Plates on a Rack

• Many plate racks feature a section for mugs and saucers.plate rack image by guiney from Fotolia.com
  
  A plate-rack hanging on a kitchen wall makes a functional storage display for everyday plates that are just too pretty to keep in the cabinet. Racks are available in a variety of designs in wood or contemporary aluminum at home improvement and design centers. Plate racks make a convenient option for easy access to dinnerware that doubles as a beautiful display. A plate rack lends an inviting ambiance to purposeful, efficient kitchens and plates should always coordinate with modern or traditional kitchen themes.
  
  

Plates for a Garden Border

• Eclectic vintage plates mix-and-match well as garden borders.willow plates image by Edsweb from Fotolia.com
  
  Stop in the garden before you toss that stack of badly chipped plates in the garbage can. Mismatched, cracked and damaged plates make excellent garden borders. Dig a narrow channel deep enough to support plates halfway up. Set plates in the channel, back-fill with dirt, and you have an instant, one-of-a-kind garden border. This unexpected display option adds interest to the garden and repurposes old plates for a cheerful outdoor display.
  
  

Plates in a Rustic Basket

• Opt for large, flat baskets for plate displays.Straw basket image by Tasha from Fotolia.com
  
  Create a table-scape with a basketful of plates arranged in picnic style. Stack or angle plates with coffee mugs and other coordinating pieces to create a rustic, ready-to-use appeal that boldly denies the typical fragility of china. This display option is ideal for a variety of themes, including summer holidays and even winter holidays, when strategically placed candles on the table enhance a basket of plates with warm, seasonal ambiance.