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The Essential Finishing Touch You May Have Overlooked
Adding design appeal, boosting efficiency and even helping you stay organised, this unsung home hero deserves attention
Contenido patrocinado
Electrical fixtures and fittings are often those end-of-renovation touches that get decided at the last moment, when the enthusiasm for the project is dwindling. However, thanks to new cutting-edge design and innovative tech, electrical accessories are evolving into design essentials that can help convey a particular aesthetic, as well as ease daily routines.
So, instead of hiding switches and sockets behind doors and furniture, these latest designs will work in harmony with your room schemes, whilst also adding plenty of practical features that will boost your home’s functionality and eco credentials.
So, instead of hiding switches and sockets behind doors and furniture, these latest designs will work in harmony with your room schemes, whilst also adding plenty of practical features that will boost your home’s functionality and eco credentials.
Get Switched On!
Switch design has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, and is no longer just a boring white plate on the wall. Phill Ratcliffe, a Schneider Electrician Partner, points out that “it wasn’t that long ago that the only choice you had was white switches with round or square edges. Now, these new electrical accessories are throwing design conformity out of the window and becoming a worthy decorative element in themselves.”
Switch design has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, and is no longer just a boring white plate on the wall. Phill Ratcliffe, a Schneider Electrician Partner, points out that “it wasn’t that long ago that the only choice you had was white switches with round or square edges. Now, these new electrical accessories are throwing design conformity out of the window and becoming a worthy decorative element in themselves.”
As well as switches with the usual square edges, you can also find designs with pleasing curves that blend into the backdrop, such as the Lisse Screwless Deco range that features sleek plates for a minimal look, and comes in four different metal finishes to suit your room’s design aesthetic. You can also find switches and sockets in bright pops of colour to create a statement on your walls.
Bonus tip: Opt for a switch with a removable screwless cover and you’ll be able to easily decorate around it without having to mask it off or cover it with paint.
Bonus tip: Opt for a switch with a removable screwless cover and you’ll be able to easily decorate around it without having to mask it off or cover it with paint.
A Design That Seamlessly Blends Into Your Home Decor
Fed up with unsightly switches and sockets ruining your feature walls? Then opt for a stylish design instead, that will seamlessly integrate with your home’s decor. From stainless steel to mocha bronze, polished chrome to brass, find a switch finish that harmonises with your interior style, whether that’s contemporary, industrial, modern classic or coastal chic – there’s a look to suit your home.
“My favourite finish is the black nickel featured in Schneider Electric’s Ultimate range because it goes with any wall colour,” says Phill. “It stands out and draws your eye to it in all the right ways. The colour makes a boring old switch or socket look sexy.”
Fed up with unsightly switches and sockets ruining your feature walls? Then opt for a stylish design instead, that will seamlessly integrate with your home’s decor. From stainless steel to mocha bronze, polished chrome to brass, find a switch finish that harmonises with your interior style, whether that’s contemporary, industrial, modern classic or coastal chic – there’s a look to suit your home.
“My favourite finish is the black nickel featured in Schneider Electric’s Ultimate range because it goes with any wall colour,” says Phill. “It stands out and draws your eye to it in all the right ways. The colour makes a boring old switch or socket look sexy.”
Styling tip: Transform a boring consumer unit into an intriguing piece of artwork with a changeable cover that can display any image, wallpaper covering or photo of your choice.
Make Life Easier
You might not think that a cleverly-placed switch or socket could make much difference to the flow of your household, however, installing enough sockets in the right locations, such as behind the TV or beside the bed, will banish ugly trailing cables and make charging devices much simpler. Just imagine how an extra switch on your kitchen island will keep your food prep areas free of tablets and phones!
“I recently completed a project that had a breakfast bar, and I pointed out to the client that it would be a good idea to have a USB socket there,” says Phill. “Let’s face it, we’re all guilty of looking at our phones while we’re eating, so why not have the capability to charge your device while catching up on social media or watching the news on your device over breakfast. The client thought the idea was the best thing since sliced bread!”
Bonus tip: Innovative switches and sockets offer so much more than an on-off function. Additional features include USB charging points, charging shelves for storing devices, clips for notes and hooks for keys, transforming your switches and sockets into mini-organisational hubs. Not forgetting the LED indicators for illuminating your sockets at night. Genius!
You might not think that a cleverly-placed switch or socket could make much difference to the flow of your household, however, installing enough sockets in the right locations, such as behind the TV or beside the bed, will banish ugly trailing cables and make charging devices much simpler. Just imagine how an extra switch on your kitchen island will keep your food prep areas free of tablets and phones!
“I recently completed a project that had a breakfast bar, and I pointed out to the client that it would be a good idea to have a USB socket there,” says Phill. “Let’s face it, we’re all guilty of looking at our phones while we’re eating, so why not have the capability to charge your device while catching up on social media or watching the news on your device over breakfast. The client thought the idea was the best thing since sliced bread!”
Bonus tip: Innovative switches and sockets offer so much more than an on-off function. Additional features include USB charging points, charging shelves for storing devices, clips for notes and hooks for keys, transforming your switches and sockets into mini-organisational hubs. Not forgetting the LED indicators for illuminating your sockets at night. Genius!
Plan Electrics Early On
Whether you’re having a whole house renovation or revamping a single room, it pays to spend time creating an electrics plan so you can rest assured you have enough sockets and switches in convenient locations. For example, there needs to be two double sockets where the TV is going to sit as a bare minimum, to prevent overloading individual plug sockets. Then there’s task lighting to consider – that is, positioning functional light sources in key areas around the home to allow for specific activities, such as reading – which means efficient sockets for lamps next to reading chairs and work areas.
Safety considerations also need to be factored in to ensure you have the right kind of electrical fittings in the right spots, particularly in humid spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. Calling in the professionals to help install bathroom fittings, such as shaving points and light switches, is essential.
More: For more information about Schneider Electric’s switches and sockets, including the sleek Lisse Screwless Deco range, visit its website.
Tell us: Have you thought of any clever spots for your switches?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Whether you’re having a whole house renovation or revamping a single room, it pays to spend time creating an electrics plan so you can rest assured you have enough sockets and switches in convenient locations. For example, there needs to be two double sockets where the TV is going to sit as a bare minimum, to prevent overloading individual plug sockets. Then there’s task lighting to consider – that is, positioning functional light sources in key areas around the home to allow for specific activities, such as reading – which means efficient sockets for lamps next to reading chairs and work areas.
Safety considerations also need to be factored in to ensure you have the right kind of electrical fittings in the right spots, particularly in humid spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. Calling in the professionals to help install bathroom fittings, such as shaving points and light switches, is essential.
More: For more information about Schneider Electric’s switches and sockets, including the sleek Lisse Screwless Deco range, visit its website.
Tell us: Have you thought of any clever spots for your switches?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Schneider Electric helps to bring your home to life with a comprehensive range of solutions to meet your... Leer más
Schneider Electric helps to bring your home to life with a comprehensive range of solutions to meet your... Leer más