Obviously, you would not notice the switch plates in a beautifully photographed room:
But I know, and you know, that they are there. I found out the hard way that switch plates do not photograph well:
A couple years ago, I took photos of a den and kitchen redesign that I just finished. I posted here, and was feeling pretty good about it until one of my readers wrote in and told me that it was a pretty room except for the switch plates so obviously sticking out! GASP!
Ever since then I have been crazy about the ugliness of the switch plate! I have tried painting them:
But I think it makes the plate stand out even more. So when I saw an easy idea on pinterest on how to cover them, I thought I would give it a try to these naked switch plates:
I had fabric left over from pillows I had made:
All you need is a small piece of fabric to cover the plates, Mod Podge and a small brush to apply:
First, cut the fabric around the covers. Then apply a layer of Mod Podge over the plate cover. Lay your fabric piece on top of the Mod Podge and press down, smoothing down any creases:
Let dry for about an hour and then trim excess fabric off. I used a razor knife to cut a hole for switch and screw holes (don’t forget to make a hole for the screws! I did!):
Then I used my fingers to glue down edges in back of plate:
The last step is to cover the fabric with a couple coats of Mod Podge:
And let dry. That’s it! Very easy and quick. Here are the switch plate covers after:
Much better. It was a fun project to play with, but I do not think I would go around the house covering all plates. What do you do with your plate covers? Is it an issue with you?
Have a wonderful weekend my friends!
If you need decorating help in your home, contact me today!
Share on Facebook
Kelly Bernier Designs
I cannot stand it when switchplates stand out. On painted walls, they get painted the same color as the wall. We remodeled our kitchen a few years ago and I did NOT want the switchplate covers to mar the look of the tumbled marble mosaic backsplash. I had the outlets mounted underneath the upper cabinets. I paid extra for this modification, of course, but it was totally worth it.
PhotoShop-ping them out is great for your pics but it doesn’t help your poor client who has to look at then every day. Kelly’s idea is clever and attractive but might not work for everyone or everywhere in a single house. Would love to see more ideas. lamp cords and cords from computers and other equipment are an even worse problem and I’d love to see any ideas for hiding them.
Personally I always paint the switch plate covers the same as the room. But mostly I’m using lighter paint colors so it’s easier to disguise the plates with paint. There is the matter of the actual switch however.
If what’s there is one of those dark brown ones, then it’s harder to conceal. However, they can be switched out to lighter ones (ivory or white) and then they’re less noticeable.
But sometimes you just have to say, “Yup. There’s a light switch or plug in”
We all have them..and aren’t we glad! The other alternative is no electricity. LOL!
I do think your covered ones are really cute though! A fun and inexpensive change too!
I love this idea and it looks great Kelly. Since I change out my pillows so often I paint them instead to match the wall….or I do what Sheila does and photoshop them out in pics.
How cute is that? I actually found a stack of onopened vintage light switch covers at an estate sale two years ago that we’re the exact shade of my living and dining room – Prescott green! I’ll have 2 share a pic sometime. And
Sheila, I do the same thing in “after” shots! If you don’t tell, I won’t tell!
I pretend they’re not there! What do you do with them? Well now I know, and I like the way yours turned out! My secret for my photos is Photoshop – if the plate covers are noticeable, I just PS them out, and sometimes I’ll do that with lamp cords, too! (shhhh, don’t tell anyone)