Replies

1. 
   Tony29 | Dec 20, 2004 01:15am | #1

   Use wood covers and paint to match.

1. 
   limeyzen | Dec 21, 2004 06:29am | #4

   Tony, good thinking but what about the switches and/or outlets themselves or do we have to live with that?

   Edited 12/20/2004 10:31 pm ET by LIMEYZEN

1. 
   Tony29 | Dec 21, 2004 07:20am | #7

   Unfortunately, you are left with your choice of white, bone, or brown for the switch/outlet.  Do your best to make one of these stock colors coordinate with the rest of the room.

    

1. 
   Saw | Jan 03, 2005 07:29am | #8

   If you do paint them, rough them up with some sandpaper first to give the paint something to adhere to.

2. 
   donbutler | Dec 21, 2004 05:37am | #2

   Limeyzen,

   If SHE has wallpaper in the plans, your troubles are over. I've seen it in many buildings, commercial and residential, where the plates were simply covered with wallpaper to blend right in with the walls. The material will stretch well enough to fit the plates well, and even if its a floral print or suchlike, just get a scrap with that part of the pattern where the plate goes and paste it right on.

   Damage later? Save those wallpaper scraps and redo it when necessary.

   If painting, I'd want to experiment with the paint and an extra plate to find the right combination of prep, primer and paint. Done well it should be as durable as the wall around it.

   Regards,

   dhb

    

1. 
   limeyzen | Dec 21, 2004 06:33am | #5

   See my reply to Tony but thanks for the thought.  Incidently, no wallpaper in our future or at least none that I've been told about!

3. 
   WayneL5 | Dec 21, 2004 06:04am | #3

   Leave the switches out and install Clappers.

1. 
   limeyzen | Dec 21, 2004 06:35am | #6

   Interesting! But doesn't seem to address the question about outlets though.  Thanks.

4. 
   CAGIV | Jan 06, 2005 07:53am | #9

   I believe Leviton makes a higher dollar paddle switch in a variety of colors. I have something at work with a sample and color book, I'll look tomorrow if I remember

   

1. 
   limeyzen | Jan 06, 2005 05:19pm | #10

   Thanks, would appreciate that and if you could provide contact point (no pun intended) that would be great.

1. 
   zendo | Jan 06, 2005 06:44pm | #11

   black goes with everything.

1. 
   wane | Jan 31, 2005 04:17pm | #12

    .. saw this done at the depot one day .. get nylon switch plates, they can be dyed with fabric dye, just mix the color you want .. of course the toggles, and screws would still be ..

5. 
   judyw | Jul 01, 2005 10:37pm | #13

   I have  all the switch plates in my house painted; I just leave the toggle switch or actual plug alone. My painter just primes the plates, then paints them with regular interior paint. I haven't had any problems at all!

6. 
   Dave45 | Jul 02, 2005 04:53pm | #14

   Krylon makes spray paints for plastic.  Maybe one of their colors would match - or work as an accent.

7. 
   Ricks503 | Jul 21, 2005 06:25pm | #15

   Krylon makes a "fusion" paint for painting plastic - supposed to bond at the moleculer level to the plastic - I have used it and all I had to do was make sure the plastic was clean and dry before using it.  If you can get a color that is close or complementary that could be an option.  The best option I have seen was the one suggesting a wood cover primed and painted with the same paint as the wall - however that does stioll leave the toggle and the outlets showing - back to the fusion paint again

   1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
1. 
   meme1 | Jul 30, 2005 05:46am | #16

   my house has an italian motife and the light switches are covered/decorated with wine labels

8. 
   mimi | Jul 31, 2005 10:06pm | #17

   Have you thought about clear switch plates?  you could paint the backs or paint foamcore to fit into the clear plates.  For wallpaper, you just cut to fit and insert.  Since the plastic is on the outside, no chips or finger smudges on the paint.  Wipe clean with a soft rag!

   mimi

1. 
   msm | Aug 19, 2005 11:28pm | #18

   dang! you got to it before i did mimi- clear switchplates.
   sometimes you can find them in hardware stores, sometimes you need to go to an interior design boutique or a high-end paint dealer, like pratt and lambert, etc.
   easy to put wall paper inside. to paint inside with latex, sand lightly with 250 or other fine grit, paint dry thoroughly. but mimi's idea is better- paint something to fit inside it. i wouldn't bother with foamcor, i'd just paint paper and proceed as with wallpaper.
   No wear and tear because the color is behind the protective clear plate.

   Edited 8/19/2005 4:30 pm ET by msm

1. 
   mimi | Aug 19, 2005 11:46pm | #19

   msn:  not a new idea, my grandmother did it in the sixties (1960).  Everything old is new again!

   mimi

9. 
   handy | Sep 04, 2005 09:49am | #20

   Spend the bucks give her something special . Sorry for the long url.

   http://www.switchhits.com/?source=OV&kw=outlet_cover&OVRAW=%7CToys%20%26%20Baby%7CBaby%20Safety%20%26%20Health%7COutlet%20Covers%7Coutlet%20cover&OVKEY=outlet%20cover&OVMTC=standard  

1. 
   mimi | Sep 05, 2005 07:29pm | #21

   handy:  those are very pretty!  I have done something similar with ceramic switchplates with three dimensional butterflies.  I have also used unfinished wood switchplates and woodburned different nature-inspired things to go with our bedrooms.  I sealed them with polyurethane.

   mimi"Every child can learn, just not all on the same day in the same way."

1. 
   handy | Sep 06, 2005 02:55am | #22

   Yes real nice plates! but to replace all the house plates at their prices to many $ for me . Going to a wholesaler supplier could make a lot of sense.

   I just looked at some guy selling  diy plate moulds, make your own "Real Clay Switch Plates" buy a two part mould and clay,spread it out into the mould, clamp the other part of the mould shake it out & bake.  

   The ceramic switchplates bought or made by yourself! . 

   Edited 9/5/2005 10:41 pm ET by handy

   Edited 9/5/2005 10:44 pm ET by handy

1. 
   mimi | Sep 06, 2005 01:57pm | #23

   Actually, make it yourself switchplates sound like a great idea.  No one else would have the exact same thing.  Wonder if a local ceramic studio would offer the same opportunity?

   mimi"Every child can learn, just not all on the same day in the same way."

1. 
   dianneja | Sep 08, 2005 08:50am | #24

   Reading about hiding switch plates reminded me of a great idea I saw in Sweden in both private homes and hotels: glow-in-the-dark wall switches

   You may want to "hide" the plate while decorating, but you want to find the switch in the middle of the night. This also eliminates wall smudges from groping for it in the dark. I don't think we have anything like this here.

   Does anyone have ideas about how to adapt this idea? I'm thinking the switch would need to painted with some type of glow-in-the dark paint & sealed to reduce wear.

2. 
   aimless | Sep 08, 2005 05:10pm | #25

   "I don't think we have anything like this here. "

   I am sitting next to an illuminated switch right now in Utah - it has a small light in it and is easily found in the dark. The switch is over 35 years old, so these little lights last a long time, and there's no concern about wearing off a surface.

3. 
   mimi | Sep 08, 2005 05:59pm | #26

   Have you looked in the hobby sections of a toystore?  They sometimes sell flourescent paint for model painting.  You could paint the entire plate or just the switch itself.

   mimi"Every child can learn, just not all on the same day in the same way."

4. 
   fogbound | Sep 14, 2005 06:38am | #27

   You can buy glowing switches in hardware stores.