Have you ever had either of both of these two table setting problems?
- I don’t have enough variety in my china
- I don’t have room to store a bunch of stuff.
I know I have! 😊 So after years of thinking about it, I finally found a fabulous solution to both of them! You can watch the video below for the tutorial, or continue on for the step by step instructions.
After that, feel free to hop down to the shopping section so you can solve your table setting problems too!
The Super Easy Solution to two classic table setting problems!
So you’ve probably seen the trick of decoupaging a napkin onto the back of a glass plate. (If not, you can see it in action in this post.) It’s a fun way to bring some inexpensive variety to your dinner ware. So of the two table setting problems, we’ve got the variety part covered with that technique.
But then we still have to store the plates once they’re done. I spent a lot of years trying to figure out how to get that variety without having to store it all. And then one day it came to me – what if there was some sort of glue that didn’t stick permanently? And there IS!!
So I experimented, and the tips below are the solution!
Step By Step Instructions
Supplies – You only need three things
First, get yourself one set of clear glass plates. I like my salad plates to be the interesting ones, but you could do dinner plates instead, or in addition. Whatever sizes you want.
Then get some Tack-It-Over & Over liquid glue. This is the magic part! This stuff is AMAZING! It works like the liquid version of a Post-It note. It’s sticky enough to hold things, but washes off with just a little soaking!
Then you need some tissue paper. This part is also kind of magic, because tissue paper is so inexpensive, and also has SO much variety! You could probably find just about any kind of color or pattern you’re looking for.
Cut a piece that will fit over your plate without too much overlap.
Spread the Tack-It
The Tack-It is a bit thick, so squeeze just a bit onto the back of your plate. You only need about as much as in the photo below.
Then brush it around to cover the entire back of your plate.
Apply the tissue paper
Then put the tissue paper – front side down – over your plate. If you don’t put it in exactly the right spot the first time, just lift it gently up and reposition it! That’s the fabulous thing about this glue.
Then press and smooth the paper onto your plate. You likely won’t be able to get ALL the little wrinkles out, but you can get most of them, and the ones that are left are hardly noticeable.
Once the paper’s all smoothed, I just run my fingernails around the edge to make sure it’s tightly bonded all around.
Trim the edges
Then trim the overhanging edges of your tissue paper with scissors. It’s easy, as you use the edge of the plate as a guide.
Smooth it one more time
The final touch is to make double positive sure everything’s smooth now that you’ve cut away the excess.
That whole process literally takes less than two minutes per plate!
Number One of the two table setting problems SOLVED!
And now you get to put your lovely new plates on the table, and that solves one of the two table setting problems. You can use whatever tissue paper or paper napkin will go with whatever tablescape you have in mind.
Here I used this lovely black and floral paper to match the gorgeous roses I found at the store. Aren’t they a perfect match? I love when things work out like that!
Hop over to THIS POST for more of this tablescape.
Solving the second of the table setting problems
And now to the SUPER AMAZING MAGIC! Our lovely salad plates worked well all through the dinner, and nobody even realized there was tissue on the back! When I started washing dishes, the paper was still fully intact and smooth. (This picture is kind of fuzzy, but you get the idea.)
All I did, was put the plates in the water to soak a little bit while I finished up the hand washing. Maybe three minutes tops.
Look what happened when I pulled them out! The paper just wipes right off!
And the sticky comes off with it!
We’re left with a perfectly clean and sticky-free plate!!
Only one set of plates to store!
I threw away a small bit of wet tissue paper for each plate, stuck the plates in the dishwasher, and when I pulled them out, only one set to store!
So now we can have a virtually unlimited variety of inexpensive plates for our tablescapes, and only have to store one set. Two of the classic table setting problems solved!
Shop the Table Setting Problems post
Click on the pictures below for links to the pieces I mentioned in this post. If something’s not available, I chose a similar replacement.
This post includes affiliate links for your shopping convenience. If you click on a link and end up buying anything from that site within 24 hours, I get a small commission with no extra cost to you. It’s a Win-Win, and helps cover the cost of publishing Mantel and Table. (You can read the whole disclosure policy here.) Thanks so much for shopping with me!
And remember, a portion of anything you buy from MANTELandTABLE.com goes to Habitat for Humanity and Proud Ground. With our purchases, we get to help people build homes for their own mantels and tables!
Here’re some relatively inexpensive napkins too. Be sure to use only one ply.
Hope you have fun with this, and here’s to endless beautiful plates with no extra storage space!!
Just in time for summer gift giving! Check out Mantel and Table Academy’s mini-course –
What students are saying
This course is fabulous! It’s jam packed with practical tips, ideas and suggestions. There are money saving tips too – so many that you’ll probably save at least what you’ve paid for this course. I learnt so much about planning and preparing for buying the perfect gift. If you love making your friends and family happy then buy this course. You won’t regret it!
~Natasha Crowther
This Post Shared With
- Metamorphosis Monday 11.07.22 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things 11.10.22 – Hosted by Shoestring Elegance
- Fabulous Friday 11.11.22 – Hosted by Living Large in a Small House
- Tuesday Turn About 11.15.22 – Hosted by My Wee Abode
- Tablescape Thursday 06.01.23 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things 06.01.23 – Hosted by Shoestring Elegance
- Metamorphosis Monday 05.13.24 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
Rani@LoneStarGatherings.com says
What a great idea, Barbara! And a perfect idea during the holiday season. One more secret weapon for my entertaining at home tool belt!
Barbara Leone says
Isn’t that fun? Thanks so much for stopping over Rani – I always love to see you here! 🙂
Janet Lorusso says
This. Is. Brilliant. What a great idea with endless possibilities!
Barbara Leone says
Hi Janet! I’m glad you like it too – I was so excited to find that Tack-It. If you do some, feel free to send over a picture – I’d love to see what paper you choose! 😊 Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you have a lovely weekend!
Kim says
Barbara, I think I commented on this post in an email but its always nice to have on the blog so I’m going to comment here too. This is such a great idea!! The possibilities would be endless and I love that the paper just comes off with little soap and water. Thanks so much for sharing this creativity and I am pinning so I remember all the steps and products. Hope you are having a great day!
Barbara Leone says
Hi Kim! I’m so glad you liked it – we tablesetters are probably the ones who appreciate it most. I can’t even tell you how out of storage space I am! 🤣 I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Thanks so much for stopping by, and for the sweet comment! Happy Thursday my friend!
Valerie Farschman says
This is an amazing trick in order to have variety in beautiful table settings. I am dumbfounded that I had not thought of it. BRAVO Barbara! and THANKS for sharing this with the rest of us! Now, to see if my glass plates (which have a design) will work with this technique.
Barbara Leone says
Hi Valerie! I was so excited about it too and wondered the same thing. I hope your plates work – send pictures! Raising my teacup to toast a Happy Thursday! 🙂
Marieza says
Barbara, this is brilliant and SO beautiful! I’ve never heard of this magical product before. Thank you so much for sharing!
Barbara Leone says
I KNOW – isn’t it great?! I was so excited. Only my last-year’s video skill kept me from sharing earlier! 🤣 I can’t wait to see what you do, with your amazing decor skills! Thanks so much for stopping over!
Sandy says
Genius. Such a great idea.
Barbara Leone says
Hi Sandy – thanks! It’s really made storage so easy! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing these last couple years – it’s great to hear from you!
Beth Fitzpatrick says
Barbara, what a creative solution! Looks easy and allows each dinner party to be just a bit different. Thanks for sharing!
Beth
Barbara Leone says
Thanks Beth! I was so excited when I found this stuff! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!