As someone who has lived in the same apartment for nearly five years—and have no plans to move anytime soon—I’m tired of treating my home like a mere rental. Over the years, I received my landlord’s blessing to mount my television, hang a few pictures, and add wireless sconces to my lightless living room, but lately? I’ve been itching to find small-yet-impactful ways to make my home look less…well, temporary. Turns out, the answer was waiting for me in my light switches and outlets.
You see, most homes are equipped with basic white switch plates that cover a home’s very unglamorous electrical wiring. Don’t believe me? Just check your outlets and light switches: I can almost guarantee they have white covers around them.
However, since I write about interiors for a living, I’ve noticed designers are tired of this home staple. Instead of succumbing to the standard (and, let’s face it, boring) finishings, some pros are sidestepping traditional and doubling down on this often-overlooked detail. From custom options that seamlessly blend in with a wallpaper repeat to a brass plate, a less-basic alternative can make something as mundane as a light switch feel intentional and oh-so stylish.
Best of all? It’s a design trick everyone can do—yes, even renters. Since all wall plates are screwed into place, you can change them within mere minutes. All you need to do is switch them back before you move out and your landlord will be none the wiser. Bonus points: Even Amazon sells switch plates for under $10, making this a budget-friendly way to spruce up your space.
Problem is, there are a lot of options to choose from, so where to begin? When I was shopping for my own home, I considered my entire space. While I liked the idea of brass fixtures, I feared they’d appear too loud against my beige walls and silver hardware. I also wanted to look for a switch plate that came in a bunch of configurations since my home is packed with single decorator switches, double decorator switches, and outlets galore.
Subtlety, I decided, was the key so I ultimately opted for cream covers with sweet beaded detailing. While this addition doesn’t “pop,” the texture offers just the right amount of nuance that felt like an intentional design detail. Thoughtful, but not an afterthought. And remember: Subtle doesn’t have to be boring.
I took on this DIY project without telling my husband and he even picked up on the change before I could tell him. If that isn’t proof that the devil lies in the details, what is?
Despite being a self-proclaimed homebody, I don’t do that many DIY projects, in large part because I live in a rental. While peel-and-stick wallpaper or floor decals might seem a tad intimidating, swapping your switch plates was a complete breeze. So easy, in fact, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t done this sooner. All you need is the right screwdriver and a plastic bag to store your original covers, and you’ll be done in no time.
If you’re looking for a home improvement project that’s easy, affordable, and impactful, I couldn’t recommend changing your covers more. To help, check out a few options to bring a “wow” factor to your rental.
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance journalist who has over a decade of experience in print and digital media. She covers interior design and lifestyle content for a breadth of publications, including Good Housekeeping, Country Living, House Beautiful, Veranda, and more. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
