Door handles/light switches/sockets - whats in?

[sluj]

I'm going to change all my old door handles, light switches and electric sockets so they match. I think brass is old fashioned now but what is more modern? Chrome, brushed chrome, stainless steel, black? Do I have to be wary of tarnishing or fingerprints? Thank you

No clue on what’s actually in tbh. We replaced ours last year with flat brushed chrome which I really like, but I have seen flat white screwless switch plates with chrome switches and wish I’d seen those first. Pictured, the brushed chrome I have, then the white and chrome option.

Thanks Spangly. I saw the screw less ones online. I wonder if they are easy to fit if you have the usual screw type?

Yeah, that’s a good point. Ours were done by a sparkie when we were having other electrical work done so would have just left him to it if we had screwless. There’s bound to be a YouTube video for it though. Come to think of it, my brother did all his himself in his own house without any trouble and he is definitely not an electrician!!

Ok first thing you need to check is the size of your socket back boxes (the bit behind the front plate that holds all the wiring).

If you have 25mm boxes which is pretty common, this will rule out some of the ultra flat designs because they need a 35mm back box. (You could change the back boxes but it’s a much bigger job especially in solid walls). So when you are looking at plates do check what back box size they require. Screwless designs may be ok with 25mm back box because they stick out a bit more, but check.

In terms of fashion my preference is keeping them discreet and timeless, so either ultra flat matt white (light painted rooms), ultra flat matt black (dark painted rooms) or plain white plastic as you notice them less. The ultra flat matt ones cost a lot more.

Not a huge fan of metal ones as they are so liable to fall in and out of fashion. Exception is in the kitchen where brushed steel will always go with steel sink/tap/fridge. If going for metal then definitely choose brushed not shiny, looks more expensive and avoids fingerprints.

Thanks Minipie, that's useful stuff

I quite like the coloured light surrounds you can get if you want a pop of colour in a room.

We’ve got burnished gunmetal ones, we used to have brushed stainless and it marked terribly, the new darker ones seem hard wearing - 3+ years now.

We've just bought black light switches and electric sockets which have USB chargers in them.

I will definitely be getting quite a few with USB chargers. I am also keen to avoid any that might show fingerprints. Thanks everybody