Contrasting sizes and colors of plates were glued together (use a thick rubber band or bungee cord to clamp them together while the glue dries) for this dramatic dining room design statement. Click here for a detail of the stacked plates. Another budget-happy idea was to buy unfinished dining room furniture, which was then painted black and protected with three layers of hardwearing polyurethane.

"Whether your tastes are contemporary or traditional, you can find the perfect display plates to complement your style."—editor Kelly Rawlings