I have used spring type for decades without ever losing a plate. Some of the ones hanging are heavy platters too. You must get the right size hanger, however, and if necessary, use some earthquake gum between the plate and the wall to stabilize it.

I'm scared of the adhesive hangers!

Here is a blog with a tutorial on hanging plates. They use a product with an adhesive part

Here is a link that might be useful: http://diyshowoff.com/2011/11/plate-wall-tutorial.html

Those kind, lolauren, are the kind I would be afraid to leave up for years. I think the humidity would eventually erode the bondage and down they would come.

But they certainly do look better.

On a television program, I saw a designer use the adhesive discs, but she added duct tape over the top of the adhered disc for extra holding power.

When Sarah Richardson hung plates in a dining room, she used epoxy to permanently affix a sawtooth hanger to each plate. Of course, you would only be able to use the plate decoratively after that.

Hmm... I live in the desert. Humidity isn't something I think about, but good point.

Fun2B.... that doesn't sound pretty, but I doubt anything would fall off with that tactic. :)

Fun, I'm very intrigued by the epoxy, I am definitely going to look into that for plates that were bought for the wall only.

Epoxy is the most permanent adhesive for certain. When we used to decorate with artifacts in restaurants, we always attached them to the walls and shelves with epoxy so that they wouldn't fall in an earthquake or walk out in a guest's bag.

Command Strips...I use them not just for plates, but for anything I hang...plaques, pictures and any wall decor. I live in the NE where humidity is abundant in the summer months and have never had a problem with the adhesive sticking. There are no nail holes on any of my walls. These pretty heavy plates have been hanging by Command Strips on my foyer wall for 5 years:

I'm using ones that my parents had in our house when I was growing up. Metal with springs. I've added others like these through the years and have never lost a plate or had major repairs in walls when I change them around.

Thanks all for your responses. Question about the adhesive discs; can you remove them easily? Where can you purchase them? If I want to use the plate for serving or eating, I'd like to be able to do that without a big problem. They do look wonderful, but I was hoping to find something that would allow me to switch plates as I need them as I please.