Sometimes it seems like the smallest details can have a huge impact. Take this light switch, for instance. After I painted my bathroom, the white light switch and switch plate seemed out of place. Not to mention, due to some sort of fading, one switch was a slightly different color than the other. Changing out the switches and switch plate was an easy task that completed the updated look of my bathroom.
First and foremost before you get started with any electrical project, be sure to turn off the power at the fuse box. Test the switch/outlet to make sure the power is off before you start touching your metal screwdriver to the switch/outlet.
Replacing light switches and electrical outlets in a newer home is merely a matter of repeating what has already been done. In my case, I wanted to replace two light switches and one CFI outlet plus the switch plates on both. After turning off the power, I removed the switch plate from the wall. Next, I unscrewed the screws that hold the switch in the wall box and pulled it out so I could see the wires. At this point I took note of how the switch was wired so that I could easily rewire the new switch the same way. And it's pretty easy actually - basically just two wires. I unwired the old switch and then wired the new one exactly as I had taken the old one out. Then I screwed the new switch into the wall box. I repeated this with the other switch and then the CFI outlet, then turned the power back on and tested the new switches and outlet before installing the new switch plates.
This was an easy ten minute project!
There are a few online tutorials that also walk you through the process. Of course this project may not be as easy in a home with older wiring. If in doubt, contact an electrician.
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No need to really change the switches & plugs - changing the switchplate alone makes a huge difference.
But bepfs, it can look rather unsightly if the switch or plug doesn't go with the new cover plate.
Our house has a lot of old dark brown bakelite plugs and switches and even the slickest new plate covers don't hide those. Plus, I like the new big, rectangular toggle switches.
I just changed two outlets yesterday after repainting a room. I read that you have to test the wires even after flipping the breaker. I thought plugging a lamp in was a good enough test---wrong! One of the four wires (yes, there are not always just two) was still live somehow. I got a small shock. Not a big deal but I'd rather have not gotten it.
Next time I will take the warnings more seriously. We even have a tester somewhere. I just didn't think I needed to use it!
"But bepfs, it can look rather unsightly if the switch or plug doesn't go with the new cover plate."
I switched out my dull plastic switchplates for brushed chrome ones several years back and I thought they looked fine...
...as a bonus, it doesn't matter what color the walls are - the switchplates look great with any color (They're easy to clean too)
great. now, line those screws up. everyone knows that its a sign of a pro to line the screws up vertically on trim pieces like that ; )
I think in this case it would have looked odd with those big offwhite switches and a gray plate. But, with simple switches it would be probably be fine to not change those out.
I'm decorating my own switchplates from unfinished wood, but brushed or oiled (?) metals look great too.
As said above, test the outlet before touching any wires, even if the power is switched of at the fusebox, in older houses you can never be sure of what idiot has tampered with the electricity! This is talking out of own experience living in a house with over half a century old electrics.
In an older home, it's worthwhile to make friends with a good electrician. I have done some electric work in my 80 year old home, but it made me pretty nervous. The wires are old, with crumbly cloth insulation. I hired a wonderful electrician to switch out all my switches and outlets. I got a nice aesthetic boost (dingy old beige units were replaced with crisp white ones) and now I have modern, three prong outlets with working grounds in place of two prong or incorrectly grounded ones. My guy spent lots of time on wire repair, and now I've got the peace of mind knowing that it was done right. I'm a huge DIYer, but there are definitely some things I will hire out!
@xsimpletunx - Dad? Is that you?
One tip that my partner's stepdad taught me when we were moving into our condo is to align the heads of the screws in the same direction. It's a subtle detail, but it really does make a difference.
Whoops, didn't see that someone already mentioned that.
OMG - I thought I was detail oriented, but I never in a million years would have considered aligning the screw heads. Until now. Thanks...
@simpletunex - When I did this a couple of apartments ago, my wife thought it was just my OCD kicking in. If we were still married, I'd show her that I was simply following time-honored standards.
It definitely looks better...but painting the switchplate to match the color of your walls would be even more of an improvemetn.
I've always painted my covers. And typically the outlet face or switch as well. They usually get a few years of wear before I need to touch them up.
It might not be considered safe to brush wet paint on an outlet, but I've done it for years with not as much as a shock.