Home - Switchplate Covers

Decorative switch plate covers

Switch plate covers are the finished face of a wall switch or outlet. A decorative plate replaces the plain plastic one and carries the finish and styling of the hardware around it. This collection covers single and multi-gang plates with toggle, rocker, outlet, and GFI openings, plus blank covers for capping an unused box. Edgar Berebi leads the range, with Carpe Diem Hardware, Jaye Design, and Rocky Mountain Hardware also represented.

How to choose a switch plate cover

Start with what is on the wall. The number of switches and outlets sharing one box sets the gang count: single, double, triple, or quad. Then match each opening to the device behind it. A toggle switch needs a narrow slot, a rocker or GFI device needs a wide rectangular opening, and a duplex outlet needs a cutout shaped for its two receptacles. A plate with the wrong opening will not sit flat against the wall.

• Gang count: set by how many devices share the wall box.
• Opening style: toggle, rocker, outlet, GFI, or blank, matched to each device.
• Plate size: it varies by maker and style, so compare it with the plate you are replacing.

Matching plates to cabinet hardware

A plate looks deliberate when it picks up the metal already in the room. In a kitchen, match the finish to your cabinet knobs and pulls. In a hallway or powder room, take the cue from the light fixtures or the door hardware. Finishes vary slightly from maker to maker, even under the same name, so one bronze may not sit exactly beside another. If the tone matters, order a sample first. Samples are refunded with your full order.

Statement plate or quiet plate

Detailed, sculpted plates draw the eye to the wall, which suits a room where you want a focal detail. Simpler plates in a matching finish recede and let the cabinets lead. A busy design repeats at every switch in the room, so pick a pattern you will still like at the tenth plate.

Installing a switch plate

Swapping a plate takes a screwdriver and a few minutes. Switch off the breaker, unscrew the old plate, and fit the new one flush against the wall. If the box or the device behind the plate looks damaged, call an electrician before you go further.

Kayla, the Keeper of the Knobs, has two decades in cabinet hardware and gives free design help with finishes and matching. Pick a time on her calendar.