Vintage Doorknob Plate Christmas Decorations
I’ve discovered a good market for Christmas decorations made out of interesting items like folding rulers, door knobs, and levels. When I recently came across some antique doorknob plates at a garage sale, I put on my thinking cap.
How could I turn them into something special for Christmas?
Today’s tutorial gives you a list of the materials you need and the instructions to follow, so you can make the something that I came up with: a farmhouse style doorknob plate Christmas decoration. And at the end of the post, you’ll see how I de-Christmasfied it for winter decorating as well.
It’s not a terribly complicated craft. It just hit me one day, as projects often do, while the vintage door plates happened to be sitting on my work bench, right next to some of my mini wreaths.
Materials
It all began with this batch of door plates that I picked up at a garage sale for 75¢ each.
To complete the project you’ll need:
- Wire (rust-colored)
- Rusty Bells (or Brass Bells)
- Glue gun
- Weldbond glue
- Pine mini wreaths (see materials list in this article and down below)
These are the supplies you’ll need to make your own mini wreaths:
- Pine pipe cleaners (or garland)
- 1/2″ Antique white cotton seam binding (this is the closest I could find to my antique seam binding)
- Manila card stock (for merry christmas tags, printable in Member Library, SUBSCRIBE for access)
- Your computer (for printing)
Step 1: Make a Mini Wreath
Follow the tutorial I wrote about how to make a mini wreath like the one above.
Step 2 Glue the Mini Wreath
I use Weldbond glue when attaching mini wreaths to metal doorknob plates. (It offers a much more permanent bonding than hot glue.) I place a weighty bag of buttons on top to help secure the bond, making sure not to crush the tag or bow.
Since I sell these at a craft show, I know it’s likely to be handled by many people and I don’t want the wreath to fall off. In addition, it’s going to go into a shopping bag and possibly be jostled about, so I want to make sure it’s secure.
Step 3: Attach Wire for Hanging
Use some wire (or ribbon) to make a hanger. I leave excess on each end to wind around a pencil, to create a decorative coil, as seen above.
Step 4: Attach Bells
Use the wire to attach two bells to the bottom of the doorknob plate for a little jingle, jingle, jingle action. Press the twisted ends flat against the back of the plate to prevent injuries. Go one step further and apply some hot glue over the tips of the wire.
The Finished Product
These decorations are extremely popular with buyers at the Shaker Holiday Market that I sell at every year. The Market runs for about ten weeks and in my opinion is one of the best shows around.
And here’s a white plate, complete with it’s Christmas embellishments. These decorations absolutely add a little farmhouse coziness to any Christmas decor.
More Examples
Shortly after the blue and white batch of plates, I picked up these two plates, both of which are pretty fabulous colors for Christmas: green and gold.
Here you see the green one on display in my booth. Eight of these doorknob plate decorations sold at this particular market for $10.00 each.
Even rusty examples like this one can be transformed. I used my metal cleaning tips to remove the rust before attempting any embellishments.
It has a wonderful, naturally antique look.
Turn It Into a Winter Decoration
To turn these decorations into winter decor, simply remove the “merry christmas” tag.
Update 2026: More Examples
This gold, Art Deco plate came out very nicely. (SOLD)
Even plainer doorknob plates, like this one without any chipped paint or attractive shaping can result in a handsome decoration. (SOLD)
I fell absolutely in love with these three doorknob plates, especially the chipped ivory examples with all the embossed decoration. The gold one in the center has a particularly wonderful shape.
They are currently available (as of 10.26) at the Holiday Market for $10 each. Next year I think I’ll raise the price to $12 because they’re pretty special, aren’t they?
Some Other Christmas Decorations I Know You’ll Enjoy
Final Thoughts
You must keep your eye out for doorknob plates now that you know how charming they look with just a few embellishments. Find them at garage sales and flea markets especially. I would love to see your projects, should you go ahead and make some 🙂
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When I saw “what sold” I had no doubt these did. They are that simplistic vintage with a touch of elegance that I love. Its too bad vintage door plates aren’t out there in large #’s. I think there may be repros though. In the last pic on your post, I see the bottom of one of my favorite hooks. I call them old school cloak room hooks. I lucked up on a bag of 12 of these for a quarter last year! I’m just waiting on the perfect project for them. We don’t have a mudroom so I have no need for a coat rack. Living in Florida though, I’m thinking of a towel rack for my daughter to hang outside around the pool. I haven’t taken it serious but seeing this has prompted me to search for the perfect pallet towel rack. Have a wonderful day Diana! Its in the high 20’s here this morning so I know how cold it must be in your neck of the woods. Stay safe and warm. ☺
Hi Jeri–so glad you liked this project. I used the “cloak room” hooks on my yardstick coat (or anything) rack and also on my vintage level rack. I think both would work outside if under cover. We are finally warming up here–30 degrees today!! Take care–
They’re adorable & simple-perfect Pinterest combo, plus your photography & styling is always amazing:) Congrats!
So sweet of you to say, Lora–SO encouraging!!
These are just so cute! Love them. Great idea!!
Thanks Debra–so glad you like them 🙂
These are so cute and clever!
Thanks, Linda!!
I love these too, I only wish I could FIND some without paying a lot of money!
Pinned!
Tania
I hope you do too, Tania! I need to find some more myself for next year’s craft fair 🙂 Thanks so much for the pin–
Very cute project. I love finding a bunch of industrial things and making something out of them. I have quite a few jars of stuff but I need inspiration! I will be keeping my eyes open for door plates.
I’ve piles of “junk” too AnnMarie, waiting, just like you said, for inspiration 🙂 I’m glad we can help each other out with new ideas every now and again.
Gotta hit my local Restore and see if they have any! door plates. The only thing I would do differently is use either red or plaid bows caz I am a color lover! Some of them look like birdhouses to me; I might stick a dowel in the keyhole and add a couple of cardinals (or Maine chickadees!). I love jingle bells on doors; keep my jb strap on my front doorknob all year as I have no doorbell and I love knowing when someone is coming in (actually, we have to keep the door locked as the latch doesn’t always work and we don’t want the housecats escaping!). When my Nativity set gets packed up, my new HLobby cast resin swan is going on the coffee table with white feather boas and pink Valentine hearts in the hollow . Sick of winter already!
The Restore is a great place to look for door plates, Kathy–thanks for the idea 🙂 Love the “bird house” idea, too. Glad your Valentine’s Day decorating is helping you slog through this cold and snowy winter–
Kudos to your creativity Diana….I made a bunch of the wreaths for the Barbie Houses and I think I will be making some as giveaways to my doll community next year…So much fun, love all your ideas…! Thanks for your blogging, all the time
That makes me smile Sandi!! Have you sent me pics of your wreaths yet? Forgive me if you have #over50 Thanks so much for your encouraging words; they mean SO much!!
I’ve always loved your mini wreaths! Didn’t think they could look cuter–I was wrong! Xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
Aww, thanks Kathleen 🙂 So sweet of you to say!
Nicely done👏🏼
You might consider using the rusty orangey-yellowy backplate
for an autumn theme🤔.
My favorite season🍂
Oooh, great idea, Lee! Thanks for dropping in 🙂
The two bells on the bottom remind me of feet…gives it a humany shape. I love this idea. What a steal at 75cents each for the doorplates. I’ve paid a dollar each for thin metal decor piece items (not sure what they are called but I think they go behind dresser knobs) at the local Restore and they weren’t as awesome as your doorplates. Pinning to my Christmas board in case I find some the next time I’m at the Restore.
Ha ha–they do look like feet! Here’s hoping we all get our hands on some of these luscious door plates sometime this year 🙂 Thanks so much for the pin, Audra–
hi diana, i look forward to your emails. they’re full of inspiration. i have a couple of door plates that i found in my dad’s workshop when we were cleaning out the house. i’d like to try this project to have a keepsake from my childhood home but i have a couple of questions.
where do i find the ribbon you used? i tried searching the internet but quickly got confused and overwhelmed. what is the the brand and the width? also, being in my 70’s i’m not very good on the computer and was wondering if you could post your “merry christmas” word page that could be printed out. i don’t know how to figure out how to do that on the computer. love your youtube too!
Hi Deb! I’m so glad you liked this project. In the blog post where I describe how to make the mini wreaths, I’ve linked to a product on Amazon that came as close as I could find to the 3/8 to 1/2″ seam binding I use. I’ll send you a copy of my “merry christmas” word page via email. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my resources–you’ve made my day!!
oh diana, i’m having so much fun playing with making the wreaths, door knob plates and the ruler stars. i admit it took some patience to get the knack of getting the stars so they didn’t look wonky but they’re starting to look like yours. i only have 2 door knob plates and i’ll give one to my brother and keep one for myself. nice memory of our dad’s workshop. the ruler stars will be my christmas gifts to the rest of the family. thank you so much in helping me make this happen. i appreciate you sharing your merry christmas print out with me. now i’ll have a grandson help me with printing it out. lol. i’m not good at this computer electronic stuff at all. i always look forward to receiving email updates from you and even though i don’t deal with selling antiques (i’m a retired nurse) i like vintage and collecting and find your youtube entries fun to watch. thank you again. deb
I absolutely love these! I have a lot of the door plates and can’t wait to give these a try. Where do you purchase your rusty wire? Thank you for the inspiration!
Honestly, I’ve had so much luck picking it up at garage sales and thrift stores, I’ve never had to purchase it! But I bet you could find some at Michaels.