Creating Decorative Switchplates

Whether you want your switch plates and outlet covers to coordinate with your existing decor or stand out as a decorative accent, covering them with wallpaper is easy!

You’ll need:

• wallpaper scraps or border
• light switchplate
• pencil
• scissors
• utility/blade knife
• glue gun
• 3M Spray Adhesive (optional)

How to Wallpaper a Light Switch Plate:

• Simply center the plate on your wallpaper pattern and trace a line around the perimeter in pencil.
• Measure about 1/2 inch larger than that rectangle and cut out the larger rectangle.
• Adhere the paper to the front surface of the switchplate by one of the following methods:
  • Wet the back of the paper with water and apply it to the dried surface, or
  • Spray an adhesive spray over the surface and stick the plate to the center of the dry wallpaper swatch.

NOTE: I did the second option, when I made them myself.

• Then, snip the corners on a diagonal, making it easier to tuck and fold. Don’t snip too much, just enough to remove some of the bulk when you wrap the corners over.

TIP: Fold the corners over first, then each side forming a crease around the whole plate.

• Using a glue gun, line each edge (on the underside that will be butted up against the wall) with glue. Be careful, it gets very hot! Do one edge at a time…the glue dries pretty fast. Fold the corner and side over, pressing down into the glue, causing a good strong bond.

TIP: I used a pencil to actually press down the glued paper so I wouldn’t burn myself.

• After all the edges have been glued and dried, it’s time to cut out the center (where the actual switch goes). You have three options:
  • Using a blade utility knife or box cutter, pierce the center of the hole and slice to the edge of the opening. Slide the knife along the inside of the opening at a slight angle until the whole opening has been cutout, or
  • Using a blade utility knife or box cutter, cut an “X” in the center of the hole going from corner to corner of the opening. Fold each triangular piece back and adhere it to the back of the plate with your glue gun, or
  • Using a blade utility knife or box cutter, cut an “I” in the center of the hole going from top to bottom of the opening, then along the top and bottom edges from corner to corner. Fold each rectangular piece back and adhere it to the back of the with your glue gun.

NOTE: I used the first option here. Truthfully this was not my favorite part, I often handed this part off to my husband to do…he’s a lot handier with knives.

TIP: Using a sharper blade creates a cleaner cut.

• Last, you’ll want to cut out where the mounting screws go to secure the plate to the wall. I suggest creating an asterisk (*) with your blade knife in the hole rather than trying to cut the circle out.

TIP: When you put the screw in to mount it on the wall, just be careful not to tear the paper.

That’s it! If you’ve done this yourself, be sure to add any tips you have below…

NOTE: Ready-made handcrafted switchplates decorated with wallpaper containing Disney Characters and the Gang from Sesame Street as well as plates & outlet covers coordinating with Paper Illusions wallpaper are all available in our store at Wallpaper Crafts Place.

Tags: crafts, home decor, switchplates