The Cheap & Easy-To-Find Thrift Store Item That Makes The Ultimate Statement Piece

If you're decorating your home on a budget, the thrift store is one of the best places to shop for unique items. When searching for decorations, keep your eyes peeled for gorgeous silver and silver-plated platters, which are some of the most valuable items at thrift stores. These items are super easy to transform into statement pieces for your home. Whether you repurpose them as wall sconces or turn them into one-of-a-kind pieces of art, silver trays add elegance, creativity, and interest to any room. Silver trays also come in a range of styles, from smooth and sophisticated to ornate and very detailed, so you can choose whatever matches your home best. They also vary in weight, so take this into consideration for the type of project you have in mind.

To spot a genuine silver or silver-plated platter, look at the bottom of the piece, which will have stamped information on it. It could be stamped with something like "Sterling," "925," or "800," all of which indicate purity in real silver composition. Some also bear inscriptions such as "EPNS" or "Silver on Copper," which shows it's a silver-plated piece. Whether you find a genuine silver or silver-plated tray, both have incredible charm and beauty and can become stunning statement pieces. Once you've picked up your silver items, you'll want to clean them properly. If you find a silver-plated piece, check out the best way to clean these items without using any chemicals. Next, decide how to decorate with the tray in your home.

One of the easiest ways to use silver platters is to hang them on a wall. Platters of different sizes and shapes can create the perfect gallery wall by arranging them in circles or in an abstract layout to showcase your personal style. Mount them on the wall using tough adhesive hooks like the Sawysine Invisible Adhesive Plate Hangers. If you're looking for a luxe decor idea, you can turn thrifted silver platters into elegant wall sconces. Choose a pair of platters that are similar in size and shape, hang them, and then attach candle holders or small LED lights in the center of the platters.

A practical way to use old silver trays is to reuse them as magnetic memo boards. The metal surface of silver-plated platters is magnetic so they can be perfect for holding photos, notes, or lists. Another creative use for silver platters is to create vintage-style clocks. DIY clocks are always a unique option and only require clock-making kits. Follow the same steps as you would when repurposing an old book into a stunning decorative clock, just with a tray. Select a platter with a center that is flat and drill in the middle where the clock hands can go in along with the numbers. While this is pretty self-explanatory, silver platters can also be used as trays with a little twist. Instead of using the platter for food, put decorative objects on them. Arrange candles, vases, or small sculptures on the platter for an elegant arrangement that would look great on a coffee table or entryway stand.