Switchcovers and Wallplates

We replaced every single outlet and switchplate when we moved to our new-to-us home in 2017, over a hundred in all. We stuck with one unifying color - Light Ivory. It's significantly brighter/white than yellowish Ivory, so OP you might take a look if you haven't already.

We added dimmer switches all over the place at about $40 a pop if memory serves.

100% pleased with this upgrade as there is now continuity throughout the house, plus adjustable lighting. A small but significant upgrade in the grand scheme of things, IMO.
 
When I remodeled my condo two years ago I opted to change all switches, power outlets, and covers. Since all my walls are white, I went for bright white plastic.
 
In a couple rooms, we changed out the switch plates shortly after we moved in. In the master bath, the plastic one was cracked, I really don't like the plastic ones, so replaced all 3 with cast metal so they'd match. Only ~ $6~$11 each single/dual, so it would add up to replace every single one in the house, but no big deal for a room or two. In the entry, the old plastic were painted, so rather than replace with plastic when we had that room repainted, we did cast metal there (a black/antique finish that went well).

Something like this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton...tal-Wall-Plate-Satin-Nickel-84TTNHB/204803325

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton...g-Duplex-Outlet-Wall-Plate-148DMBHB/315513460

-ERD50
 
We pulled 20 of these gems out of our recent reno...

Once again proving that taste is extremely subjective.

gt_lightcover.jpg
 
When we bought our house, I replaced every switch plate and outlet cover with a larger wood upgrade that matched. No ivory plastic right next to white. I think I paid $4 or $5 each. Whole house was probably $150, but I think it makes it look a little more upscale.

Just went to an open house (new construction). The house was $800K - which is upper range where I live. I was surprised to see they used the 15 cent small plastic covers. Made me wonder what else they cheaped out on.
 
White (or ivory in some cases) covers are good enough for me. Go with everything, and don't clash with anything, IMO. I prefer the older toggle style switches, as opposed to the larger and newer rocker switches. It's a switch. A simple, honest-to-goodness switch.
 
Last edited:
Scuba said:
We are fans of white Lutron Maestro switches with the screwless wall plates. We put these throughout the house, except that there are no outlets in any of our backsplashes. We put power strips in the kitchen so there are no visible outlets.

https://www.lutron.com/en-US/Produc.../MaestroDimmerSwitch/CoordinatingProduct.aspx
Click to expand...
These really look nice Scuba.
I think I'm going to put them into my townhome on your suggestion.

I like the big toggle switches, and these with no visible screws look even nicer.

An observation:
Some of my lights turn on after a slight delay. I think the contacts are oxydized from humidity over the years (Florida).
New switches going in this winter.

JP
 
Scuba said:
We are fans of white Lutron Maestro switches with the screwless wall plates. We put these throughout the house, except that there are no outlets in any of our backsplashes. We put power strips in the kitchen so there are no visible outlets.

https://www.lutron.com/en-US/Produc.../MaestroDimmerSwitch/CoordinatingProduct.aspx
Click to expand...


We redid all of our switchplates with the Lutron screwless also. At the same time we added USB charging options where they'd be handy. Much nicer and modern than the builder grade switches.
 
So now I'm supposed to care about switch cover design? :2funny:

After reading this thread, I went to look at my switch covers. The prior owner apparently didn't care much either. They are painted over with the same paint she used for the walls. Nice color! I see no reason to change them. All's good.
 
JP.mpls said:
These really look nice Scuba.
I think I'm going to put them into my townhome on your suggestion.

I like the big toggle switches, and these with no visible screws look even nicer.

An observation:
Some of my lights turn on after a slight delay. I think the contacts are oxydized from humidity over the years (Florida).
New switches going in this winter.

JP
Click to expand...



Thanks. We used these in our last two remodels and are very happy with them. The only challenge has been that our housekeeper dims lights rather than turning them completely off. We’ve shown her how to do it, but she doesn’t change. First world problem.
 
Pointby2 said:
We redid all of our switchplates with the Lutron screwless also. At the same time we added USB charging options where they'd be handy. Much nicer and modern than the builder grade switches.
Click to expand...



USB’s are a great idea. We put a few of them in and really use them.
 
I like the Lutron flat plates as well. We’re in the process of upgrading to a controllable Lutron system. They sell some amazing looking wall plates as part of that system, but not worth the extra $ to me right now.
 
JP.mpls said:
...Some of my lights turn on after a slight delay. I think the contacts are oxydized from humidity over the years (Florida).
Click to expand...

I have an older model LED bulb which does this. It may not be the switch. If it were corrosion I think you'd be getting resistance, and the switch would get warm or hot. I don't think you'd get a delay.

Markola said:
Just in time for Halloween
Click to expand...

I want one!!

When I first re-wired my house I used dark brown outlets and switches. Probably because I had a bunch of them laying around that I'd salvaged from somewhere. This past week I've been replacing the last batch of them, in two back rooms, with ivory (or almond, I always forget which. I have to bring one to the store and compare.)

We have one "fancy" ceramic design switch plate my wife picked up at some craft fair or something. I never really saw the point. Plain and unobtrusive fits my style best.
 
Mom often used mirrored covers...& she had the door hardware in her last home replaced with solid brass...I still have the extras.
 
Scuba said:
We are fans of white Lutron Maestro switches with the screwless wall plates. We put these throughout the house, except that there are no outlets in any of our backsplashes. We put power strips in the kitchen so there are no visible outlets.

https://www.lutron.com/en-US/Produc.../MaestroDimmerSwitch/CoordinatingProduct.aspx
Click to expand...


Could you elaborate a little on the power strips? Are these something integrated into the counter top? Or back edge of the counter top instead of further up on the wall? I am curious how that works out with appliances like a coffee maker, etc. Maybe this is an upgrade I should consider when redoing my countertops.

Those screwless wall plates look nice, but are they secure? After doing a few DIY repairs and watching others do them on youtube/tv, I concluded that wall plates are not simply decorative but in some cases part of structure and electrical safety. Since sometimes the 2x4 stud is not straight inside the wall, which then pulls the outlet box behind the drywall a little off square. Another issue is if there are big switches (such as a dimmer or timer) and stiff copper wires in a crowded box, the wall plate is the last chance to keep the switches plumb/square and everything safely buttoned up. But I do like the end result if it can be made secure.
 
A neighbor in our building redid her kitchen and "commissioned" someone to create ceramic tiles that, when applied, created a tropical scene across one wall - included back splash, under cabinet, partial floor-to-ceiling wall. Since switch plates and outlets would be covered, she insisted that they too be made of ceramic tile and blended into the scene. It was a stunning achievement but she wouldn't even talk about what it cost (we ever-so-gently-hinted that we'd like to know - and she ignored it.) The remainder of the switch plates and outlets in the apartment were also covered with hand-crafted ceramic tiles. $20K? $30K? $40K? Maybe more. But she enjoyed BTD on what she wanted. YMMV
 
triangle said:
Could you elaborate a little on the power strips? Are these something integrated into the counter top? Or back edge of the counter top instead of further up on the wall? I am curious how that works out with appliances like a coffee maker, etc. Maybe this is an upgrade I should consider when redoing my countertops.

Those screwless wall plates look nice, but are they secure? After doing a few DIY repairs and watching others do them on youtube/tv, I concluded that wall plates are not simply decorative but in some cases part of structure and electrical safety. Since sometimes the 2x4 stud is not straight inside the wall, which then pulls the outlet box behind the drywall a little off square. Another issue is if there are big switches (such as a dimmer or timer) and stiff copper wires in a crowded box, the wall plate is the last chance to keep the switches plumb/square and everything safely buttoned up. But I do like the end result if it can be made secure.
Click to expand...



The power strips are under the cabinets along with the under cabinet lighting. They are really great for appliances you use occasionally. For me, that is our food processor, air fryer, mixer, etc. The only small kitchen appliance we use regularly is our coffee maker. We have our coffee maker on the opposite wall and had the outlet placed so that it would be covered by the coffee maker.

The screwless covers are fine as far as keeping things intact and secure. We put them into our 2015 renovation of our coastal home and used them again in our current home. No problems whatsoever. Another great thing about Lutron lighting is that it can now be “smart.” We can control most of our lighting from our phones from any location.
 
We're having a house built. We agonized long and hard over this decision, believe it or not. We finally decided to go with black. Those SnapPower lighted outlets that several of you shared are pretty cool. We may add a few after we move in, unless we decide to stick with nightlights that will stay powered and double as a mini-flashlight in the event of a power outage.
 
Timely thread. We just had some painting done, and cover plates really don't match. And the switches and outlets are the same beige color.

So, off to Lowes tomorrow. New switches, outlets and cover plates. Hardly blow the dough. At about $0.60 each for plates, switches and outlets, $30 ought to cover it (with a few spares)
 
Ours were all paddles decorator size shiny black when we bought this house. In orange and yellow walls. Atrocious. Switched them out first thing.
 
In a similar vein have you all been tempted to upgrade the color or style of interior door knobs, hinges, strike plates, etc. I have been contemplating that much more so than changing electrical outlets, switches, and covers. But it is a lot more work and then calls into question upgrading even more items.
 
I did a major reno about 4 years ago, including painting all rooms. My designer friend talked me into painting EVERYthing in 3 shades of gray. This is a BIG house, and I was trying to imagine those acres of gray, but it ended up looking great.

The outlets & switches were all 27 yrs old so I decided to update those too. I was at Home Depot and noticed, off to the side of the normal colors, they had gray! It matched my middle-gray color PERFECTLY. Looks really nice! Good thing, because I swapped out something over 100 switches and outlets...
 
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