How to Enhance Home Decor with Switch Plates
Switch plates are the flat covers mounted over light switches to keep walls free of dirt and grime and to keep fingers away from the electrical wiring. They're typically made of wood, plastic, or metal and install with two small screws. While basic switch plates are made to blend in with the surrounding wall surface, specialty plates can be used for decorative effect. If you still have boring plastic switch covers throughout your home, you may want to consider upgrading to enhance your room decor. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Consider home decor. Your room decor will determine the style of switch plate that looks best. For example, a brushed brass switch cover in a living room with a tropical theme would not suit the overall theme of the room, while a bamboo switch plate would complement the room decor perfectly. If you choose to redecorate the room, you can create an Asian theme in a dining room, or an animal theme in a kid's bedroom. Then you can purchase switch covers to match the new home decor.
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Choose a switch plate color and style. For formal living rooms, antique brass or Victorian style switch plates work well. Or, you can go rustic with a log cabin theme look for Northwestern homes or find terra cotta plates for Southwest decor. The dining room is generally a more formal space — brushed nickel and antique brass switch covers complement fancy dining tables, chairs, buffets, and china cabinets. To go a bit more fun and casual, consider food-theme and European-style switch plates with motifs of as cutlery, flowers, or wine.
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Match switch covers to appliances in the kitchen. For example, if you have a stainless steel refrigerator, install a stainless steel or brushed nickel switch plates. Or, if your oven is black, install black plastic or metal plates. Painted European themes, such as grapes, wine, and bistros, brighten up the kitchen. If you have copper elements in the room decor, think about hammered copper switch covers. In the bathroom, seaside themes for switch covers, such as shells and beach paintings, are popular. Also consider mother of pearl, bubble bath, and rubber ducky themes.
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Doll-up adult bedrooms with lacy brass antique switch plates to make the room cozy and inviting, particularly if you have antique furniture. For more modern bedrooms, try brushed nickel, plastic beveled white, or pewter. Kids' bedrooms should be fun and whimsical. You can go with a basic color in a plastic switch plate, or you can add flair with an animal theme. Angels, sports, and celestial themes are popular as well, depending on the overall theme of the room.
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Install switch plates by turning off the power to the switch at your home's service panel (breaker box). Use a screwdriver to remove the top and bottom screws on the old switch plate (multi-switch plates have more than two screws), and remove the plate. Position the new plate in place and secure it with the new screws, being careful not to overtighten the screws, which can bend or crack the plate. Most light switch plates are packaged with screws, so you don't have to worry about matching colors.
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Tips & Warnings
Depending on your light switch, you can purchase single, double, or triple toggle switch covers.
For even more fun, you can order a personalized photo light switch cover.
Do not clash your new switch plate with home decor, for example, do not install a formal one in an informal room or clash colors.
If you have a dimmable light switch, make sure purchase a dimmable switch cover.
Resources
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