How to Stand Plates up in China Cabinet | 14 Simple Steps (2023)

Whether you want to store a cherished family heirloom or make the most of your china cabinet’s storage capacity, knowing how to stand plates up in china cabinets will help keep your home organized and stylish. Standing plates upright in china cabinets allow you to maximize the space in your cabinet and can also give your china cabinet a unique and exciting look. It is a great way to show off your dinnerware collection and create a beautiful visual display in your home. The Home Affluence Team will discuss how to stand plates up in china cabinet.

We will cover tips on arranging and organizing your dinnerware, the best ways to store your plates in a cabinet, and the materials and supplies you need to create a safe and secure storage solution for your dinner plates.

• Identify the type of cabinet and paint.
• Place your dishes in the cabinet.
• Determine what’s on each shelf.
• Find the heaviest plates and bowls.
• Decide which plate goes where.
• Remove the shelves.
• Remove the backing.
• Measure, mark, and cut the wooden boards.
• Measure, mark, and cut the foam boards.
• Install wooden boards.
• Install foam boards on wooden boards.
• Place dishes on top of foam boards.
• Measure, mark, and cut cardboard spacers.
• Install cardboard spacers.

By the end of this post, you will have all the information you need to confidently stand your plates up in your china cabinet.

How to Stand Plates up in China Cabinet

Identify the type of cabinet and paint.

The first step to standing plates up in a china cabinet is identifying the type of cabinet and paint you are working with. 

You will want to use a paint designed to adhere to the cabinet’s material, such as an oil-based paint or a latex-based paint.

In addition, you will want to ensure the cabinet has enough depth to house the plates. 

If not, invest in a cabinet with more depth or build an insert with the same material as the cabinet.

Once you have identified the right cabinet and paint, you can begin standing up your plates.

Place your dishes in the cabinet.

Remove the top and other shelves below to stand your dishes up properly in a china cabinet. Place a layer of foam or rubber padding on the bottom and sides of the cabinet.

It does prevent your dishes from shifting or sliding around. Place your plates face up in the cabinet and ensure the edges flush.

Make sure to alternate between big and small plates and leave space between each plate for stability. Secure the top shelf back on the cabinet, and you have done!

Determine what’s on each shelf.

Before standing the plates up in your china cabinet, you must decide what goes on each shelf. 

A good rule of thumb is to place the larger and heavier plates at the bottom and the smaller, lighter pieces on the higher shelves.

Make sure any plates that may be fragile are placed in the middle, away from the sides of the cabinet, to avoid any damage. 

Assign each shelf to a specific type of plate. For instance, the bottom bracket can be for your dinner plates, the second shelf for salad plates, and the upper frame for dessert plates. 

It does help create an organized and balanced look.

Find the heaviest plates and bowls.

When standing plates up in a china cabinet, the heavier the plate or bowl, the better.

A hefty plate or bowl will be less likely to tip over when standing in your china cabinet. 

To determine which plates and bowls are the heaviest, pick them up individually and see which ones feel heavier. 

Also, try looking at each material used to understand their relative weight. For example, a ceramic plate may be heavier than a glass of the same size.

Decide which plate goes where.

When deciding which plate goes where there are a few things to remember, first, consider what will make the most aesthetically pleasing arrangement. 

Place a giant plate in the center and the smallest vessel in the back. Be sure to keep all like-sized plates together in rows. 

If you have any specialty plates, consider displaying them together in a separate row. For example, if you have a set of Christmas plates, arrange them together as a set.

Keep all the plates evenly spaced and centered, and keep the designs and colors consistent.

Remove the shelves.

Removing the shelves is the next step in learning to stand plates up in a china cabinet. You will need to gently pull out the shelves from the cabinet and remove them.

Depending on your cabinet model, you may need to remove a few screws before being able to remove the shelves.

Once the shelves are out, take this opportunity to clean the frames and the inside of the cabinet. It does make the cabinet look neat and organized again.

Remove the backing.

After you have gathered all of the plates that you would like to stand up in your china cabinet, the next step is to remove the backing. 

The backing can usually be peeled off or removed with a thin tool like a screwdriver. Be careful not to scratch the plates in the process.

Once the backing does remove, the plates will be easier to stand up in the china cabinet.

Measure, mark, and cut the wooden boards.

Once you have all the necessary tools, measure, mark, and cut the wooden boards you will be using to stand the plates up in the china cabinet.

Measure the width and length of the shelf, then mark the measurements on the wood using a measuring tape and a carpenter’s pencil. 

Use a saw to cut the boards to the desired size. If it helps, use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. It does allow you to fit the boards perfectly in the china cabinet.

Install wooden boards.

Installing wooden boards is a straightforward process. First, it should clear the area where the panels will be installed, removing debris and existing nails. 

Next, considering any door or window frames, the boards should be cut to size.

You can then nail the boards into place. We can provide extra support by hammering a few different nails into the frame if needed.

If additional insulation does desire, it can add at this stage. Finally, seal the boards with a sealant to protect them against moisture, wear, and tear.

These simple steps allow wooden boards to do easily installed in any space.

Install foam boards on wooden boards.

Installing foam boards on wooden boards is a simple project that can complete with a few essential tools:

• Measure and mark the area where the foam board will apply to the wooden board.
• Cut the foam board to fit the space. Apply double-sided foam tape to the back of the foam board, then press firmly onto the wooden board.
• Use screws to secure the foam board in place.

It is important to use screws rated for outdoor use, which will expose the foam board to the elements.

With a few simple steps, can easily foam boards installed on wooden boards to add insulation and protection from the elements.

Place dishes on top of foam boards.

Foam boards should always be utilized when displaying dishes for a food photography shoot. 

Not only do foam boards provide a consistent background color, but they also provide a cushion to prevent dish damage. Place dishes with care on the foam boards to achieve the desired look. 

Photographers should use smooth, flat surfaces to place the dishes to prevent scuffing carefully.

Additionally, to ensure that the dishes are not sliding, a small amount of adhesive can be applied to the foam board, allowing the dishes to be properly secured.

Photographers can ensure their dishes are displayed professionally by taking the proper precautions.

Measure, mark, and cut cardboard spacers.

Accurately measuring, marking, and cutting cardboard spacers is important to ensure proper fit and function of whatever the spacers are used for. 

To measure, use a straight-edge ruler and measure carefully, ensuring accuracy. To mark the spacers:

• Use a pencil to draw a line in the exact location where you will cut.
• Use a sharp utility knife to cut the mark, taking care to stay on the line and to make a clean cut.
• Inspect the cut to ensure it is accurate and has no jagged edges.

Taking the time to measure, mark and cut cardboard spacers accurately will ensure that the finished product is of the highest quality.

Install cardboard spacers.

Cardboard spacers are a great way to separate and store items for easy access. Installing them is easy and requires minimal tools and materials:

• Measure the interior of the container you want to install them in and cut the cardboard to size.
• Double-sided tape or glue to attach the spacers to the container’s walls. Depending on the size of the container, you may need to add additional spacers to maximize storage capacity.
• Organize your items in the container and enjoy the convenience of having them all in one place.

With the right tools and materials, installing cardboard spacers is a simple, cost-effective way to organize and store items.

Expert Opinion

In conclusion, standing plates up in a china cabinet can be a great way to display and protect your treasured dinnerware. 

You’ll need to ensure the cabinet is level and provide enough padding between the plates and the shelves.

Use non-slip mats or fabric to keep the plates from shifting around and potentially breaking.

You can enjoy a beautiful and organized dinnerware display for years with the right approach.

In addition, it is a safe and effective way to store them. Using the correct materials and taking the necessary precautions, such as securing the plates, you can confidently display your delicate dishes in your china cabinet. 

With the right setup, you can enjoy your beautiful dishes for years.