Brooke Styles hangs a variety of ornate, blue plates on a white wall to create a gallery effect.
DIY

DIY Gallery Plate Wall

Do you have a blank space on a wall that needs filling? Maybe it’s an unusual size or position? Here’s an idea that’s bound to add a bit of character to a blank canvas. Follow step-by-step instructions by Brooke Styles to get started.

RYOBI TEAM Tue, 09/23/2025 - 19:24
In This Article

Materials

  • Decorative plates of your choice
  • Hooks and screws for hanging plates to wall (plasterboard anchors may be required if going directly into plasterboard and not timber studs)
  • Spring plate wires/plate hangers (or alternatively you can use adhesive plate hangers)
  • Paper for making templates
  • Re-usable adhesive (or masking tape)

 

Tools used

  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Ladder

 

 

How to do it

Step 1: Set up the laser level 

Extend the Universal Laser Pole from the floor to ceiling, securing firmly. Attach the 15M Green Cross Line Laser to the pole and ensure the pole is set up in a location out of the way but close enough so the green laser lines are clearly visible.

Brooke positions the RYOBI Green Cross Line Laser to find the centre of the wall
A closer shot of Brooke positions the RYOBI Green Cross Line Laser to find the centre of the wall
Step 2: Find the centre of your wall 

Measure the centre of the wall (or space) vertically and horizontally and position the lasers ‘cross hairs’ at that centre point for a guideline while planning and hanging the plates.

Step 3: Lay out your plates 

Find a flat surface large enough to lay out your plates in your desired pattern to make sure you are happy with that layout and spacing of the plates. Attach the plate wires to each plate.

Step 4: Make templates
Brooke traces the outline of each plate to create a paper guide.

Once the plates are laid out on a flat surface, trace each one so that you have templates, numbering or naming each one as you go so you know where to position it on the wall (we took a picture for visual reference). Mark where the screw and hook will go.

Brooke cuts out the paper template.
Brooke creates a paper template for each plate to establish the gallery wall layout.
Brooke uses Blu Tac to position the paper templates on the wall and setup the gallery layout.

Step 5: Position the templates on the wall 


Transfer your layout from the flat surface to the wall, attaching each template using re-usable adhesive (Blu Tac) or masking tape. Once all of your templates are attached to the wall, stand back and make any adjustments before installing any fasteners.

Step 6: Install the hooks and hang the plates 

NOTE: Before installing any fasteners into the wall, make sure you check for any services (electrical, water, gas, communications) behind the plasterboard. One by one, install your hooks to the wall and hang each plate.

Brooke installs fasteners into the wall using a RYOBI Drill Driver. She is wearing ear and eye protection.
Brooke hangs plates to create gallery wall.

And there you have it. A unique wall feature that even lets you add to or change in the future.

Brooke Styles poses in front of DIY Plate Gallery Wall. She is holding a RYOBI workbag and smiling.
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