Light switches

[CisMyArse]

I've lived with the standard plastic for every house and I'd really like to start putting in a few special switches and sockets in my renovation project. I'm not sure what to go for colour wise.

My floors will be grey flagstones with a white shaker kitchen and black half cup handles on drawers. Elsewhere, the floor is engineered oak floors and oak doors with black or antique door handles.

What switches and plugs would you go for?

Brushed steel

I quite like blackened / tarnished metal but I've just looked and I can't find them anywhere. Sorry OP - am in the same boat as you!

Something that doesn’t catch fingerprints - we spent a fortune on replacing ALL light switches and plug covers with shiny/ chrome and they look gross with greasy paw prints (mainly in the kitchen, but still) 😫

We went for a brushed steel flat plate and are happy with them.

Is that easy enough to do yourself?

We have metal ones in our rental house and, whilst they're more attractive than the white plastic ones, they are a nightmare to keep clean!

White toggle light switches, like this:
www.dowsingandreynolds.com/shop/toggle-switches-white-single/?attribute_pa_toggle-type=intermediate&attribute_pa_options=white-toggles&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl7qSBhD-ARIsACvV1X3c98-cDEiTLy3PoGkWyoFswJcWg1dIs0Sqz7g2m_NsTBEmAMvxPwAaAqovEALw_wcB

We have brushed steel and they definitely show fingerprints, would not recommend!

Thanks everyone.
I'm sorely tempted by antique brass and the white plastic toggle looks great. Aaargh still
So undecided!

I think I'll resort to cheap as chips everywhere and change them in the years to come. Cheaper

I think white are less obtrusive than metal and easier to keep clean. Use voice controlled/timer/sensor lighting and then the physical switch is just a backup so won't get as many fingerprints on.

We have Schneider white metal flat sockets everywhere. They are 12 years old and still look as good as when first fitted, hardly show any dirt or finger prints at all and just easily wipe clean. We've had coloured metal plates in our old house, but never again - white metal plate ones all the way now for us

Is it acceptable to have a mix of switches? White and the occasional special one?

I saw once saw white screwless plates with a metal switch which looked lovely. A nice change from the metal plates with white switch. Can’t find them online right now though to post a pic 😩

white plastic

In a Victorian house we had lovely brass toggle ones. Depends on the age of the house though.

I actually think white plastic is the best. They are unobtrusive, easy to clean and timeless. Anything else generally shows up the dirt a lot more and risks looking dated in a few years time.

Probably depends on whether you want them to blend into your wall or be a bit of a feature. I think it would look good to tie in with the colour of your current door/cupboard hardware, so go with black. Something like:
www.dowsingandreynolds.com/product-category/light-switches-plug-sockets/black/ or www.corston.com/collections/clear-bronze-black-inserts

They are all quite expensive though!

Thanks everyone.

I can't believe how much headspace this is taking. Bloody light switches and power sockets! 😫

I'm slowly changing my light switches to these
www.corston.com/collections/bronze-black-inserts
They are stunning and every visitor comments on them. Apparently the bronze will start to show through as they get used and age which I think will make them even more lovely. V expensive- but I'm just doing one at a time when I can and dh has managed to fit without electrocution yet!

Aaaahhh those are nice. I love the toggles.

I need a load with dimmer switches too unfortunately.