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Covered Light Switch & Outlet Plates

I promised when I revealed the nursery that I was going to share a couple of the DIY projects I did in there.

The first one I am going to share is pretty simple and probably self explanatory but I love the result so I want to share it anyway.

Here you can see her Light Switch cover.

Here you can see 1 of her 3 outlet covers.

I had seen these before but thanks to the wonderfulness of pinterest I was reminded them at the perfect time.

I saw one on pinterest that was darling but has since been removed.  They were $3.50-$5.50 (excluding shipping) online and since I had everything I needed to make them at home I figured why not!

My outlet and switch plates were the lovely (ugly) dirty cream look.  They aren’t expensive to replace when you’re replacing 1 or 2 but when we have half a house of them to replace it adds up.  This was the perfect way to use what I already had.

Step 1 – figure out what part of your pattern you want covering our plates and then trace them out.

  Step 2 – using an xacto knife and a cutting mat under it cut out your pieces. (I did trace out the areas for the switch and the outlets but once I got going it made more sense to cut them out after I had the paper on and it was dried 1st)
Step 3 – With a sponge brush put a layer of mod podge on both the plate and the back of your paper
Step 4 – Smooth your paper onto your plate and put a coat of Mod Podge over it.  Once that dries use your xacto knife and from the back side put a hole in the paper so you know where you’re cutting and then just going slowly cut out the area.  As you can see in this picture I cut my paper a little bit small but since I knew I was going to paint all my edges to make sure everything was nice and clean it wasn’t a big deal.  

Step 5 – with just a little bit of paint on the sponge brush go around all your edges inside and out from the front and the back.  Once the paint dries start on your layers of mod podge.  I ended up putting about 5 layers of mod podge on these letting them dry between each coat.  I wanted them nice and covered so that I could wipe them down when I was dusting because sadly we all know they get dirty!
Step 6 – (not shown here – sorry) Since all the screws were white, that didn’t really work with my covers so I painted the tops of them black also.
And there you go.  My finished covers.  Her room doesn’t have a lot of them but they were just one more added something and I loved the way they turned out!
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Comments

    • I did this 9 years ago in my dining room, but I used fabric. I used a spray adhesive and then used a clear shellac spray to protect them. Nine years later they still look like I made them yesterday!

      Reply

      • Good tip about the shellac spray. I don’t care for Mod Podge because it always seems to leave brush marks unless it’s sanded a lot. .

        Reply

        • I’ve heard that too. I haven’t noticed it too much because I usually use a sponge brush but can see that happening with an actual brush. Thanks for stopping by!

          Reply

  7. This is fantastic, Jenn! I’ve been wanting to replace my covers, but we have the other kind of switch and it’s hard to find “fun” covers for them… not to mention the cost! I think I need to buy stock in modge podge!

    Reply

  8. Thanks for sharing this MommaHen and thank you June, good luck!

    Anonymous – I used scrapbook paper but I am sure you could use fabric just as easily!

    Reply

  11. these are so beautiful. i saw similar ones at a craft sale today and the lady was selling them for 10 bucks a piece! i was tempted to buy one for my nephew.

    i have a question for you. where you post to several different link parties – is there a way to do that all in one shot rather than go to each individual party? it’s so tedious, going around to every.single.party site! email me haroldandashlee@gmail.com

    Reply

    • Not sure if anyone answered you but yes you can do it with fabric I use Aleens original tacky glue… I would do a thinner fabric tho if it starts getting too thick its a pain to get it on the wall without a small gap… Ive been doing this for many years and its so easy to change out if you change paint colors…

      Reply

  23. Since I did not do anything to the back of the cover I cannot imagine how it could be a fire hazard. My husband also doesn’t know how it would be.

    Reply

  33. Kathleen, thanks for the question. In step 5 I say how I used a little bit of paint on the sponge brush and touched up all the edges inside the openings and around the outside. My paper didn’t fit exact and I knew I wanted the edges to be darker anyway so the paint was a good option for me. It isn’t necessarily needed but I like the way it looks. Thanks!

    Reply

  39. I didn’t get any bubbles but here are a couple ideas, start at 1 end and then use the back of a spoon to help get it all laid down without any bubbles, also you might try using a heavier paper? When I play around with it again I’ll see if there is anything specific I do, also maybe a little less mod podge?

    Reply

  41. Not a stupid question, I believe someone else asked also. I don’t know how this would be a fire hazard, everything is on the outside of the switch plate so I don’t see how it would be any different than just putting a sticker on it.

    Reply

  46. I haven’t tried this but I made realtree letters for my sons name for his room & baseball picture frame for his tball pictures. It was rather easy & turned out great! I didn’t think about plug & light switch covers…. I will for now, thanks

    Reply

  47. I really loved the post so I used my Digg account to digg it.. It’s hard to find knowledgeable individuals on this matter, but you sound like you already know what you’re talking about! Thanks A rise in Amazing A lot more.

    Reply

  48. Did you cut the corners of the paper where the outlet cover curves, or does having the mod-podge on it make it flexible enough to stretch around the curving parts?

    Reply

  49. I so can’t wait to do this and see how it turns out. This would be perfect for my girls room!! Thanks!

    Reply

    • The curtain is actually a shower curtain. The bedding came as a set. I’m not home but when I get back (at the end of the month) I can get you brand names if you’d like.

      Reply

  54. Could you tell me how to remove the paper properly if I want to change the look down the road? Thanks!

    Reply

    • I think you could try soaking it in warm water. I haven’t done it so I can’t say for sure but I know regular indoor mod podge can be cleaned up with water. That is also why I did a lot of coats so it doesn’t come off with regular wiping down.

      Reply

    • You can also buy plain white covers at Lowes for 39 cents and just make new ones. I just bought six outlet covers and two light switch covers and got the cheapest ones they had since I planned on covering them. It’s really an inexpensive way to add a special touch to your rooms and since it’s so low cost you can just throw them out when you want new ones or sell them on Ebay to someone else!

      Reply

  55. We used to do this but another tip if you do not want to paint the screw heads is to have VERY sharp blade and make X over the top– carefully with a pin pull back the little tabs just so you can insert the screw then turn in screw and lay the X pieces over the screw-head — if your knife was sharp enough there will be no gap. Thus no need to ever see the screw (we had a 300 man construction crew which I helped with everything)

    Reply

  56. Was planning to do this after I saw your post, then it hit me. Why not use Washi Tape instead of scrapbooking paper, thus skipping the part about gluing down the paper. Washi Tape now comes in all kinds of patterns, and I was able to find the perfect one for my scrap room. It went on so easily, and I followed your suggestions about cutting and making a hole for the screws before screwing them in. It’s a perfect addition to my room. Thanks for sharing this great idea – and do try it with Washi Tape – it’s even easier.

    Reply

  57. that is soo cute, im going to use this to decorate in my new apartment BUT would it catch fire if the outlet got too hot?

    Reply

    • The fire thing has come up a few times and although I am not an electrician or a fireman I can’t see how it would cause a problem. The paper is all on the outside of the plate not wrapped behind it and sits against the wall not against the wires.

      Reply

  60. Is there anything else you could use to coat the cover at the end so that you can scrub them clean. There are lots of very dirty fingers in this house, a light dusting won’t cut it.

    Reply

    • I have heard of an outdoor mod podge that is suppose to hold up for weather and things being outside. I am guessing it would probably give you a stronger coverage. You could also try a spray sealant but I haven’t tried that. Good luck and if you don’t mind letting us know what you find out works (or even doesn’t give us tips on what not to use) we’d appreciate it. Thanks!
      ~Jenn

      Reply

  62. Love this idea. I just redid my kitchen and bought a can of bronze hammered spray paint for plastic and painted all the outlet and switch plates. At $4-6 each I saved a ton and they turned out great. I will use this idea in my bedroom. Thanks!

    Reply

  63. thingstriedandtrue.blogspot.com

    Did these wall plates about 8 years ago with a motorcycle fabric print for grandson’s bedroom and they still look great. I cut the fabric large enough to wrap the edges eliminating the need for paint. Did some for myself using acrylic paint and modpodge and they are still in very good shapr after 5 years of wear and tear. really adds personality to a room

    Reply

    • I’ve been asked this before and I don’t see how it would be, it doesn’t go behind the switch plate at all. Thanks
      ~Jenn

      Reply

  68. Just throwing out another idea here……I wanted mine to match my daughter’s new comforter so I took a picture of the material with my cell phone, opened the pic on my computer and printed it out on a regular paper using high quality print option. Then I basically followed the same directions as the ones above and I had covers that matched her comforter exactly!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  5. […] Even the fine details in your rooms should be considered a chance for decor! The plates covering light switches and electrical outlets are a good opportunity for subtle decoration or a little complementary pop of colour. Covering them with wallpaper helps them blend into the rest of your aesthetic rather than standing out in white contrast.(Photo source: Real Housewives of Riverton) […]

    Reply

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