DECORATIVE SWITCHPLATE COVERS: CUTE OR TACKY?

12 years ago

Best to stick with standard white plastic ones that match switches or dabble into some decorative plate covers? Should they all match? Worth the cost?

We're struggling to agree on this. Redoing our entire downstairs and not sure which way to go with these. Any input appreciated!!

Standard White

Decorative Covers

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Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader

12 years ago

I voted for decorative. However, I want to qualify that with the fact that we used ORB on the island and backsplash from our just finished kitchen remodel. We left the ones on the walls white but the ORB went a lot better with the backsplash and didn't stick out as much as the white or almond would have. Looking at the finished product I think we made the right decision.

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Comments (16)

Brenda
12 years ago
standard white. I had 2 rooms with different/more decorative switch plates, and I just finally got rid of them earlier this year.
Aliza Goldsmith thanked Brenda
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Aliza Goldsmith
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, Kevin. Great point-we'll probably end up using a pretty one on our backsplash and using white everywhere else.
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Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
12 years ago
P. S. We used brown outlets with the ORB plate covers.
Aliza Goldsmith thanked Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
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ASVInteriors
12 years ago
I consider myself lucky that in this,country there is a great selection of switch plates. I find they incorporate nicely into schemes but are also ergonomic as they highlight where switches are in a elegant fashion. This is but an example below, with slate, glass, aluminium and wood being others. You customize frame, middle and button.
Aliza Goldsmith thanked ASVInteriors
yoboseiyo
12 years ago
i like decorative ones, as long as they go with the room and aren't tacky.

for instance, when i shared a room with my sister, and she was little, we had a ceramic one that was noah's ark. the room was animal themed, so it made some sense.

now that i have my own room, it's plain white, because my walls are white.
Aliza Goldsmith thanked yoboseiyo
switchplatelady
12 years ago
I custom paint switchplates to match your back splash anywhere in your home. Check out Switchplatelady on Houzz or switchplatelady.com!
User
12 years ago
Stick with NICE standard white. I want to be able to see where they are and which side of the plug to stick in. Also they are easy to clean and won't get nicked. (Please don't tell me painted ones can be clear coated for durability.)
coconuts1234
12 years ago
We have ORB plates throughout our house. Yes, it was expensive but the plastic plates look so cheap I just couldn't use them after painting the entire house. We swapped out all the brass doorknobs for ORB too, so it all flows now.
switchplatelady
12 years ago
My painted switchplates are visible, durable and match perfectly! They are sealed for protection!
User
12 years ago
They way I see it, light switches and outlets are utility. Not something you need to draw attention to. Decorative covers are tacky. Spend your money towards something that makes a bigger impact and doesn't cheapen the room.
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Dawson & Clinton
12 years ago
Really depends on the room and style but I would never rule out painted covers outright.
makaloco
12 years ago
For my kitchen remodel, I shopped for decorative but ended up with white. The decorative plates were outrageously pricey, and none fit the "duplex" boxes (4 outlets) that were already installed.
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Ross DePriest Interiors
10 years ago
I agree with Emily Zirges. Light switches and other electrical sockets are utility and they should not have any attention drawn to them. It looks tacky. Its a cheese ball way to make non designers feel like they are being creative and designing.
Judy Mishkin
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
old post but i'm interested the results are split so evenly. my covers are all white except the foyer of our 1870 victorian, we had the electrician put in a 1920s (?) era push button switch, i love it. similar to this one.
Momof5x
10 years ago
Quite honestly whatever you do, you will find the white standard ones much better and far safer than the decorative ones.