DIY Vintage Cheese Plate Makeover: A Simple, Budget-Friendly Refresh

I tackled this little makeover about two months ago, just before we moved, so you’ll notice photos of our old kitchen counters. I’m sharing it now because it’s an easy, inexpensive project that anyone can do to update a thrift-store cheese plate or cloche with fun patterned paper. This guide explains materials, steps, and a few practical tips so you can recreate the look.

Why this project works

I found this vintage glass-dome cheese plate at Goodwill for forty cents. It came with a wooden base and a glued ceramic plate labeled “cheese.” The retro lettering was charming, but the little black rat with red eyes on the ceramic piece wasn’t my style. With just one sheet of decorative paper and a few common craft supplies, I transformed it into a cheerful display piece for cookies, cake, or seasonal decor. Total cost: about $1.19.

Materials you’ll need

Thrifted cheese plate or cloche with removable ceramic/wood insert
One sheet of decorative paper (inexpensive scrapbook paper works well)
A flathead screwdriver or thin pry tool
Aleene’s Tacky Glue (or similar tacky glue for paper)
Gorilla Wood Glue (or strong wood glue for reattaching the ceramic to the base)
Mod Podge or another water-based, non-toxic sealer
Books or a flat weight to keep pieces pressed while drying
Pencil and scissors for tracing and cutting

Step-by-step makeover

Start by prying the ceramic plate gently from the wooden base with a flathead screwdriver. If the piece comes off, you can use it as a perfect template. I placed the round ceramic plate on the patterned paper so the design would be centered, traced around it with a pen, and cut the paper to size. If the ceramic plate is stuck, make a paper template first by tracing the area you want to cover directly on a sheet of paper and cutting it to fit.

Use Aleene’s Tacky Glue to adhere the decorative paper to the ceramic insert, smoothing carefully to avoid wrinkles. Reattach the ceramic plate to the wooden base with a strong wood glue like Gorilla Wood Glue. To ensure an even bond and to keep the paper flat while everything dries, place a stack of books on top for several hours.

After the glue has dried completely, seal the paper with one or two thin coats of Mod Podge. This non-toxic, water-based sealer provides a laminated-like finish that makes the surface safe for displaying baked goods and other non-cut items. I don’t recommend using the piece as a cutting surface, but it’s perfect for holding cookies, pound cake, cupcakes, or a bowl of nuts.

Uses, styling ideas, and tips

This refreshed piece is versatile. It looks festive with bright red paper for the holidays, but a subtle neutral print would work year-round. I used mine to hold seasonal items like pinecones, but it’s equally suited to display bar soap in a guest bathroom or to serve as a small dessert dome for entertaining. Because the top is paper and sealer, avoid direct contact with sharp knives and prolonged exposure to moisture—use a small plate or doily under anything that might leak.

Additional tips:

Choose a heavier-weight decorative paper or light cardstock so it lays flat and resists wrinkling.
Test the sealer on a scrap of your paper first to ensure it doesn’t cause unwanted color changes.
If edges lift after sealing, apply a tiny amount of glue under the edge and press until set.
Consider using felt pads under the wooden base to protect surfaces and prevent slipping.

Final thoughts

This thrifted makeover is a quick, affordable way to refresh a dated piece with minimal tools and materials. It makes a thoughtful, homemade gift and gives a second life to vintage finds. I’m keeping mine as a decorative accent in our new home—perfect for seasonal accents or small treats—and it’s a reminder that a little creativity can turn 40 cents into something charming and useful.

Update: I’ve shared favorite holiday decor finds on the blog—many are budget-friendly and under $15.