Friday, June 5, 2009

Light Switch Covers | How To Match Light Switch with Light Switch Plate Colors

Light Switch Covers

There's nothing worse than getting home from your great decorative light plate find, to put it on and find out the cream or white color of the switch clash so badly with it, it takes away all the reason for getting it.

Don't despair though, as there's a simple and easy way to take care of the problem.

Here's a way to just about make that light switch disappear from interfering with your decorative light cover.

Assuming you've taken the cover off and the light switch box is open, put newspaper or plastic around the light switch box completely. I think if you have newspaper that would be better. Just tape it snuggly all the way around so nothing can get in it when you spray it with paint.

Extend the newspaper or plastic out far enough so you have no overflow of paint to your walls.

Make sure it's also right up to the light switch sticking out on all sides, and nothing but that is showing.

With the light switch being plastic, you'll need to first apply a primer that will adhere to plastic, and you can find that at any paint, hardware or big-box home improvement store.

Simply spray the primer on the switch and give it time to dry.

Now, take the paint that matches the color or colors of your decorative light switch plate, and spray it on the light switch over the dried primer.

A few thin coats is better than one or two thick ones, as it will have a tendency to glob up if it's too thick.

One trick to keep in mind while doing this: If the color on the top of the light switch cover is different from the bottom you can press the switch either way to compensate for that, and spray it accordingly.

Make sure you take into account that the lower side of the switch will show when it's up, and the upper side will show when it's down. You also may want to temporarily shut your power off in the house if you have to paint the switch when it's turned on.

When you're through with that, you can get a can of spray varnish and finish it up with a few coats to add a nice sheen to the light switch.

This is really not that hard, and you'll be glad you took the time to do it as you enjoy your new decorative light switch plate with very little clashing of colors.

Light Switch Covers

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Light Switch Covers | How To Install a Light Switch Cover if the Light Switch Box Sticks Out

Light Switch Covers


Occasionally we talk at Light Switch Cover about how to handle a few of the problems that can arise when you attempt to install a new light switchplate.

In this post we'll talk about one that can really baffle you if you're not aware of how to solve it, and that is when a light switch box sticks out after you take of the old light switchplate and try to put on the new on and ... when you place it over the light switch box, it doesn't lay flat because it sticks out too far.

Of course at this time you're really puzzled, because you think of the old switchplate that laid flat on it, and attempt to figure out the mystery.

This can actually happen at a new home as well as an old, because the original switch box wasn't installed correctly, and it sticks out for that reason.

But the cause really doesn't matter, it's the solution. So here's the reason why the old plate laid flat: it's in the length of the screws. Yup. As easy as that.

What happens when a light switch box sticks out is you either would have to take it out and redo everything to make it fit, or you can go out and buy new screws. Bet you didn't think it would be that easy did you.

Now the trick is that you must go out and get shorter screws for the lightswitch plate because the longer ones won't work in this instance.

If you're lucky, nylon screws came with your switchplate kit, and all you would have to do there is snip off the end with a scissors and screw the light plate cover in.

And if you're not so lucky and have a metal screw, just take one of the original screws and bring it to a store and get a couple a little shorter of the same kind.

You could even get a couple shorter screws of different lengths to save you a trip. They're not expensive, and you could always return the ones you buy if they aren't needed.

Light switchplates don't have to be a difficult thing to work with at all, and usually they're not. This is one of only a couple of real problems that occur, and really the worst one. Now you know how to take care of it.

Light Switch Covers

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Light Switch Covers | Fixing or Installing Light Switchplate When Screws Don't Line Up

Light Switch Covers

So you go out and get your new decorative switchplates, take the screws off and remove the old one, press the new wall plate in place and ... the screws don't line up. Arrrgh!

Don't panic, your dreams of the new light switch decorative place adding some character and fun to your room isn't over, and it's not even that difficult to deal with.

Just take your new light switch cover off and lay it to the side for a moment.

What the problem is, is underneath on the light switch box itself (what the switch is connected to), whether through settling of the house, or whatever reason, shifting has taken place and the plate will now have to be lined up correctly.

So what you do with it is loosen up the screws on the light switch box (again, what the light switch is attached to), but don't take them completely out of their holes.

Once they're loosened, then place the decorative light switch cover, or whatever type of light switch cover you bought (it doesn't matter) and place it over the light switch box.

After that, just adjust it until everything lines up straight, and tighten the screws back into place, and then screw in the light switch cover. It's as easy as that.

So if you ever get your highly anticipated dream light plate cover, don't panic if you can't get it on at first, just take these couple of steps and the problem is solved.

Light Switch Covers

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Light Switch Cover | Using A Light Switch Cover to Express Yourself


Light Switch Cover

Having found a number of fascinating light switch cover plates when doing some research on something else has been the motivation behind the light switch cover blog.

And one of those switchplates the motivated me is the one of "David" on the right.

That got me researching on switch plate covers and I couldn't believe the huge number of them I found. There were as many light switch plate's on the market as you could find variety of tattoos, and you know how many of those there are.

It's really odd when I think of it, as I used to work at and manage big box home improvement stores and/or hardware stores, and even though they had a ton of decorative light covers, I never really took the time to explore them. I am now, as they've really impressed me with what's our there, and the many things you can do with them; whether they're inside outlets or outside decorative outlet covers.



Let's admit it, when you find some light switch covers for your favorite professional or college sports team, your favorite movies series, or even those you can take from family photos and customize them, you know you're going to have a lot of fun making decisions on where to put them and getting rid of those old white or beige switchplates.

What else has impressed me immensely is the quality of some of the decorative switchplates, which can include reproductions of the paintings of the masters, and retain a very high quality look, or those that are made in 3-D, and really stand out as a centerpiece, even though it's a simple light switch cover.

The days are long gone when we used light switch plates for the purpose of simply keeping things safe or covering up an ugly hole in the wall. Now they're part of the decor and personal statement of a home.

What was really cool, was seeing switch plate covers that reminded you of days gone by, showing a variety of old time products, places and businesses we used to cater to, and were what we thought of when recalling a major part of our childhood.

Being orginally from the northern part of Minnesota, the outdoors was always an important part of our lifestyle and experience, and finding a cover plate switch which was not only decorative and 3 dimensional, but also displaying magnificant wildlife themes blew me away.

There were moose light switchplates, duck outlet covers, and a plethora of animals, fish and birds you could see and appreciate on these decorative light switch plates.

And it didn't matter if they were decorative switch plates or decorative outlet covers, the impact, enjoyment and fascination was the same; they were just cool. The only challenge with the outlet covers was the larger holes were extra challenges to make the image fit on a smaller sized surface, while retaining the art form.

Another major change that has come in switchplates has been the variety of materials you can choose from. Along with the usual plastic cover switch plate, you have those made in wood, metal and ceramic, and a few others.

This was great in that you could put any of these in about any type of themed room you have in the house; including a shop or home office.

All of this is really fun and enjoyable, as every part of our homes can now be customized and personalized to fit who we are and what we love and stand for.

Light switch covers are now a huge part of that creativity and expression, and we now have about any choice available to meet all our diverse interests; even as it's spread from room to room in our homes.

Light Switch Covers

Light Switch Covers | Double Light Switch Cover of Old Pagan Seasonal Gods

Light Switch Covers

While this type of switchplate won't appeal to everyone, there are a number that would consider it harmless and more of a seasonal decoration than a worship of the old gods.

Some of these old pagan seasonal gods were not only worshipped for abundant supply but were also considered sexual in the sense of bringing fertility to mother earth, who they worshipped.

The two figures on this double light switch cover are the Horned Man, who supposedly ruled during the darker and colder parts of winter, and the Green Man, who ruled in the lighter months of summer.

For those who just want a fun piece that deals more with the seasonal changes than former worship of the gods of the past, this could be a good addition to your home or outdoors' switchplates.


Double Switchplate ~ Dryad Design



Light Switch Covers

Monday, June 1, 2009

Light Switch Covers | Fantastic Tinkerbell Switchplate for Your Children's Room


Light Switch Covers


Tinkerbell continues to be one of the more popular Disney characters, and has enjoyed a resurgence among youngsters and families recently.

So the idea of a wonderful Tinkerbell switchplate in your child's room is inspiring, as they have really connected with and are familiar with her.

Here's one I found that fits that mode, and any child would love to see every time they turn their light switch off and on.

The enchantment of Disney will remind your children or grandchildren of the wonders of life when they then enter and leave their rooms.

Light Switch Covers



Tinkerbell Light Switch Covers