The case for paintable metal switch plates

Specifying electrical accessories has become something of an art, with white holding its own as a strong colour choice for home interiors. The quest for the perfect white reflects the wide range of beautiful interior finishes on the market. When it comes to sockets and switches, the option of an understated primed white metal faceplate offers a desirable and flexible alternative to an off the shelf plastic one.

It appears white interiors are here to stay, if last October's Houzz feature Off White is On Trend for 2016 is anything to go by. Interior designers, architects, electrical contractors and homeowners often specify modern metal flat plates primed and ready to paint on site to match wall colours. Even if walls are white, it is recommended that switch plates are painted because there are many different shades of white available from paint manufacturers. Focus SB can supply plates finished in matt or gloss white (RAL 9016) .

Sockets and switches can also be painted to match a variety of other wall colours, not simply white, giving the room a designer finish. This is particularly effective where a room has a feature wall colour or covering, and it's important to the hotel or home owner that plates are finished to blend or complement an interior theme.

Often primed plates are painted to match the overall base colour of a wallpaper, to merge the plate into a room's decor. These are often specified in combination with clear acrylic switch plates. Clear acrylic is wipeable, offering an additional practical solution alongside painted sockets to blend electrical accessories into a room, as perfectly demonstrated by the refurbishment of Peppering House.

When specifying paintable switch plates and sockets, it's possible to choose the insert colour, for example black for dark coloured walls or white for light walls. This small attention to detail can positively impact the overall look, and be the difference between a great interior and a stunning one. Likewise, bespoke switch plates enable designers to select rocker, toggle and dimmer metal switch combinations, in various finishes to complete the look, whether for an exclusive residential or commercial interiors project.

For further information please download our Paintable Brochure or to view product examples please visit our Paintable range page.

Make switches blend into the walls

Shown here is a three gang switch. Dolly switches (pictured above) are available in a number of finishes.

Plates painted to match wall colour

Focus SB paintable range is supplied primed ready for finishing in any colour on site.

Paintable plate matched to wallpaper

Picture shows how the colour of the plates are have been matched to the base colour of the wallpaper.