When we moved into our house, I noticed the dingy, cracking switchplates in every room. I knew they had to go, but that would mean replacing a TON of them which would be fine if I liked the plain, inexpensive ones at our local hardware store. But, I like decorative switchplates and outlet covers–like the ones that cost $18 to $24 each at Anthropologie.
My husband loves me, but if I told him I wanted to spend a thousand dollars on switchplates, he’d think I had lost my mind. Instead, I got creative. I used all the switchplates and outlet covers in the house. I didn’t buy a single new one. Some, I covered with scrapbook paper like the salt and pepper ones in the kitchen, some I covered in vintage book pages, and others I simply spray painted. The spray paint made them look like new–and the paper-covered ones are so fun. Everyone who comes in our house comments on them.
Want to give the paper-covered switchplates a try?
You’ll need: switchplates/outlet covers, scrapbook paper or book pages, Mod Podge, foam brush, Xacto knife {and extra blades if you’re going to make a lot of them}, and a cutting mat.
Directions:
1. Clean and dry the switchplates/outlet covers.
2. Cut the paper to a little over the size of the switchplate giving yourself enough paper to fold over the edge and secure in the back.
3. Using the foam brush, coat the front of the switchplate and the back side of the paper with Mod Podge. Place the back side of the paper onto the front of the switchplate. Press the paper down and smooth out any air bubbles. Allow to dry for about 30 minutes. {See below.}
4. Trim the edges of the paper if needed. Then, using the foam brush coat the sides and back edge of the outlet cover with Mod Podge. Gently fold the paper over and hold it in place for a couple of minutes. Allow to dry for another 30 minutes. {See below.}
5. Using the Xacto knife, cut out the holes in the outlet cover or switchplate. If needed, use a little bit of Mod Podge to secure any paper around the holes that gets pulled up while cutting the holes.
Here are more examples of other switchplates I covered with paper or spray painted:
This project takes an afternoon to complete, and it makes a huge difference to the look of a room.
Love this idea. I won’t get away with it in the whole house, but if I do it to the plate in the art room, he may not notice. Not until it is already done anyway (insert Mutley laugh here)
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Hahahahaha…Kris likes them. When we first moved in together, my entire apartment was pink and green, so basically anything I do now, he doesn’t mind because our house isn’t pink and green!
Kris loved the purse wall!
Haha! What do you mean you don’t have thousands of dollars for fancy switchplates?
I’m a huge scrapbooker, so I have tons of pretty paper that would look awesome on our switchplates. Hmmm…
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Hahahahaha…
April, my fiance and I are busy renovating our apartment, which used to be my granny’s place… there is a very old wall intercom in an ugly brown color which I will totally decoupage, using your advice above.
I’m so glad I didn’t rip it out and replace it with a new one.
Greg thinks I’m a bit crazy because I want to revamp everything. ha ha ha ha and I told him this: ‘No, no I’m not! April posted photos of her kitchen all fixed up and she even showed us her switchplate which she decoupaged herself.’ hehehe, he just smiled!
Then I saw this post.
I’m so glad Kris likes them.
How fun! Good luck with all your renovations.
Hahahahaha…it’s true! I think it’s in my blood…
Amazing! Astonishing! Fabulous! (Ok, I’ll stop.) I knew they are available in different colours, but THIS is marvelous, splendid (here I go again)…
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Isn’t it fun? It’s one of my favorite home projects so far.
This is such an AWESOME idea! Totally L.O.V.E
Thanks Sarah!
You make it look so easy! Now I’m really wanting to try this.
Dark brown or deep red would look FABULOUS in my front room. Thank you!
MegansBeadedDesigns recently posted..Brown and Gold Hoop Earrings by MegansBeadedDesigns
This one was pretty easy. You should try it!
This is amazing!
It’s such a smart and easy thing to really give every room something special.
Too bad I live in a rented house, I’m affraid the owner won’t be happy if I do it here…
But I’ll definetly do it when I buy my own house!
Thank you for sharing this. In a second I’m sharing it with my twitter folks!
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Thanks Jacolien! And, thanks for sharing!
Eeeep! You have my artwork on your mantel!! I’m officially going to strut around like a celebrity for the rest of the day
Love this DIY!
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Of course we do! It’s one of our favorite things!