When choosing your switchplates and outlet covers, don’t feel like you need to limit yourself only to the finishes that you have used throughout your house already. Consistency and care are important, but so is personal expression. It’s not necessary to perfectly match your switchplates with your frames and light fixtures, but make sure to take them into consideration when selecting the finish and style.

Unlike pulls, knobs, and other hardware pieces, switchplates and outlet covers are nearly wall decor items in themselves. Functionally, they serve as decorative frames to light switches and plugs. With that in mind, painted ceramic or hammered tin could just as perfectly suit your walls as plain nickel, chrome, or bronze.