Stylish Switches That Light Up a Room
From burnished bronze to rich timber, light switches come in a host of styles, finishes and materials ready to boost your décor
Sometimes, it’s the little details that make all the difference. In fact, many designers and architects maintain that getting the details right is more important to the success of an interior than any amount of designer furniture or beautiful cushions. For details, read sockets, door handles, knobs and light switches. These are features of every home, and in the case of light switches, tend to be on show at eye level, too. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with the humble white plastic switch, but as these images show, there are plenty of other illuminating options to choose from. Is it time you made the switch?
Work in some wood
The natural grain in wood adds texture and detail, even on a small light switch. In addition, as we touch switches every day, a surround made from a softly tactile material is a welcome feature. Neat little rocker switches in brass are mounted into this wooden plate for an extra splash of warm detail.
The natural grain in wood adds texture and detail, even on a small light switch. In addition, as we touch switches every day, a surround made from a softly tactile material is a welcome feature. Neat little rocker switches in brass are mounted into this wooden plate for an extra splash of warm detail.
Slide over here
Contemporary slide switches look beautifully futuristic and sleek. This one combines smoky metal with smart black and holds its own against this striking graphic wallpaper from Osborne & Little.
Contemporary slide switches look beautifully futuristic and sleek. This one combines smoky metal with smart black and holds its own against this striking graphic wallpaper from Osborne & Little.
Celebrate the shiny
For a shiny, glossy look, choose a switch in chrome. It will need a wipe with a soft cloth from time to time to remove finger smudges, but brings a lovely splash of shine to your wall. If you want a material that’s more shiny than stainless steel but not as reflective as mirror, chrome is a good choice.
For a shiny, glossy look, choose a switch in chrome. It will need a wipe with a soft cloth from time to time to remove finger smudges, but brings a lovely splash of shine to your wall. If you want a material that’s more shiny than stainless steel but not as reflective as mirror, chrome is a good choice.
Do it yourself
Take a simple white switch and transform it into something far more eye-catching. Use acrylic paint, washi tape or Sharpie marker pens to design a decoration for the switch plate. Or try sticking on tissue paper, wallpaper or old maps. If you’re not confident your artistic skills are up to the job, source a colourful cover online.
Take a simple white switch and transform it into something far more eye-catching. Use acrylic paint, washi tape or Sharpie marker pens to design a decoration for the switch plate. Or try sticking on tissue paper, wallpaper or old maps. If you’re not confident your artistic skills are up to the job, source a colourful cover online.
Try beautiful brass
With its warm tones and soft glow, brass is a wonderful material to weave into your home, even if only on a light switch!
How to be bold with brass
With its warm tones and soft glow, brass is a wonderful material to weave into your home, even if only on a light switch!
How to be bold with brass
Hampton Court Palace
Time it right
If you live in a period property, choose your switches sensitively. A bright and shiny chrome switch will stand out like a sore thumb against gnarly wood timbers or an exposed stone wall. Instead, source something in a muted material, such as this switch in antique bronze. It has a rather grand home, fitted into the panelling in the Queen’s State Apartments at Hampton Court Palace.
If you live in a period property, choose your switches sensitively. A bright and shiny chrome switch will stand out like a sore thumb against gnarly wood timbers or an exposed stone wall. Instead, source something in a muted material, such as this switch in antique bronze. It has a rather grand home, fitted into the panelling in the Queen’s State Apartments at Hampton Court Palace.
Make them mirrored
Bring a little reflective bling to your walls with switches set into mirrored wall plates. They are a witty and unexpected addition, transforming the highly functional switch into something more playful.
Check out 10 ways mirrors can transform your bathing space
Bring a little reflective bling to your walls with switches set into mirrored wall plates. They are a witty and unexpected addition, transforming the highly functional switch into something more playful.
Check out 10 ways mirrors can transform your bathing space
Melt away
Encourage your switches to melt into their background by choosing a material in a similar tone as its surroundings. For an even more streamlined look, these light switches are built into the wooden bed surround and are completely flush.
TELL US…
Do these switches press your buttons? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Encourage your switches to melt into their background by choosing a material in a similar tone as its surroundings. For an even more streamlined look, these light switches are built into the wooden bed surround and are completely flush.
TELL US…
Do these switches press your buttons? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Unsure how to choose your bedside light switches? One option is simply to pick switches in the same material or colour as the lights. Here, black wall lights by Serge Mouille are teamed with black dimmers, and they look crisp and graphic against the plain white walls.