Plastic Sockets + Switches ?

[renovationcarroussell]

We already have different metals mixed in the property, but all sockets and switches are standard white plastic. Currently rewiring. Would you go for plastic standard sockets and switches or decorative ones like brass, bronze, chrome or nickel..? Of course decorative more expensive..
Many thanks!

If I had the opportunity to put new ones in I'd definitely go for chrome/brass etc. They just look so much nicer and add character.

Thanks. I agree.. Can't decide which metal to go for..

Go for brushed rather than shiny, the shiny ones are always covered in finger prints (but good as a makeshift mirror)

Brushed nickel

Mine still look like new 13 years later, haven't dated either.

I think I like the look of nickel indeed. Thanks!
Is nickel good for bathroom taps too?

I'll be having standard white plastic all through (I'm renovating currently).

I thought about metals, but decided against in the end because switches and sockets are things I want to fade into the background, not make a feature of. (The walls will be a pale off-white with white paintwork.) Sometimes, if there are a lot of metal accents (eg light fittings, lamps, handles, curtain rails) it can look a bit over the top, in my view. Also, I have different metal accents in some rooms - satin nickel in the main bedroom, antique brass in the living room, for example, so having white means I can have the same throughout.

We have brushed nicely sockets and switches. Our bathroom fittings are polished chrome but there are no sockets or switches in the bathroom. Our kitchen tap is brushed chrome and the cupboard handles are also brushed nickel knobs / cup openers. I love them all!

Definitely plastic! We did a big renovation last year and got the most basic white plastic sockets and switches put in during the rewire.

We had chrome ones in a previous rental and they were such a pain for marks and never looking clean.

This is a good point - is it your own house or a buy to let? I'd probably put plastic in a rental but metal in my own home.

Brushed metal.

I think it's a small thing that really elevates the look of an interior. White plastic outlets just look cheap.

Own home - there's no way I'd live somewhere with metal switches and sockets if I had a choice!

They're more practical and not as obvious. I think metal would also be a pain to match with other things across the house, we had enough trouble with kitchen cupboard handles, light fittings and wall hooks, never mind getting those to go with sockets!

Sorry, although I quoted you I was asking the question to the op.

I'd go plastic and let them fade into the background.
Silver and grey is all fashionable at the moment but the fashion might change back to golds and creams. So you'd end up wanting to change to brass to tone in.

Very interesting perspective thanks!

Own home

Went with white plastic. Light switches are the large paddle design for ease of use. White goes with everything, metal degrades and looks awful after a time due to oils etc being transferred from fingers. ( or so we found by bitter experience).