19 Adorable Ways To Decorate A Light Switch Cover

    Talk about bright ideas.

    Pippa Armbrester
    by Pippa Armbrester

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. Gold Leaf

    Add a touch of glitz to your home with a gold leaf light switch, like this one created by Sarah from Sarah Hearts.

    Materials: a plastic light switch cover, painter’s tape, one sheet of gold leaf, gold leaf sizing, Mod Podge, a soft paint brush, a foam brush, and rubber or cotton gloves.

    1. Apply the tape across the front of the switch plate. Smooth the tape with your hands to make sure it's adhered. (If you want to cover the entire switch plate with gold leaf simply skip this step.)

    2. Use the foam brush to apply a very thin coat of the gold leaf sizing to the area you want to be gold, including one of the screw heads. Allow this to dry for about 30 minutes, or until it’s dry but slightly sticky. If you drag your knuckle across it and it squeaks, then it’s ready for the gold leafing.

    3. Carefully place the gold leaf on the switch plate. Use your hands to carefully press the foil onto the switch plate.

    4. Remove the paper backing. Carefully press the foil onto the switch plate.

    5. Wrap the gold leaf on the edges. Use your fingers to press the gold leafing on to the edges.

    6. Remove large pieces of excess gold leaf. Use the soft paint brush to remove excess gold leafing around the edges of the switch plate. Repeat to apply gold leaf to one of the screw heads.

    7. Remove the painters tape. Peel off the painters tape to reveal the hard edge. Use the soft paint brush to remove any excess gold leaf that may remain where the tape was.

    8. Allow to dry for one hour. Use the foam brush to apply a thin, even coat of Mod Podge. Allow to dry completely, around 20 minutes.

    2. Geometric Painting

    Lynn from Lynn and Lou created this geometric painting light switch cover. Pick colors that match your decor!

    Supplies: clear chalk paint, Mod Podge or Shellac, acrylic paint (in several different colors), small paint brush, masking tape, scissors, a light switch plate and screws.

    1. Start by painting a layer of clear chalk paint directly onto the light switch plate. This coat is crucial, it ensures that the paint won’t be peel-y.

    2. Cut your masking tape into thin pieces and place them on your plate, making the geometric shapes that you desire.

    3. Paint small portions of the plate, peeling the tape off immediately and allowing it to dry.

    4. You can complete the geometric effect by re-taping and painting in any pattern you desire.

    5. When the paint is completely dry, paint one to two thin layers of Mod Podge or Shellac to keep your artwork safe from any outside elements.

    3. Washi Tape

    Yet another thing you can cover in washi tape, like this blogger did.

    4. Maps

    Coat a light switch cover with a map (or other text), as done by this Etsy seller.

    5. Scrapbook Paper

    Coat covers with scrapbook or other decorative papers, as done here and here.

    6. Rhinestones

    Cover a switch plate in rhinestones to make your own one of these.

    7.

    Use an inexpensive craft store frame and art print or photo to turn your light switch into a little work of art, as done here.

    8. Glitter

    A layer of glue and a sprinkle of glitter is all it takes to make these.

    9. Starburst

    Use Mod Podge to cover a lightswitch cover in Starburst wrappers, as done here.

    10. Luke and Vader

    Make your own version of this Star Wars light switch with black and white paint.

    11. Key Magnet

    Insert a magnet behind your light switch, screw it on, and never lose your keys again. Check out this tutorial.

    12. Gears

    Cover a brass light switch plates in old gears by following this tutorial.

    13. Sharpie

    Use black and colorful sharpies to make a Southwestern-style light switch cover like this.

    14. Sparkly Tissue Paper

    Decoupage little pieces of tissue paper, then coat with a layer of glitter if you like. Check out these directions.

    15. Fabric

    Cover in pieces of patterned fabric, like this blogger does.

    16. Chalkboard

    Paint the whole behind the light switch with chalkboard paint, then doodle, as done here.

    17.

    Cover with pages from your favorite book by following this tutorial.

    18. Vintage Plates

    This blogger broke up a bunch of old plates and glued pieces to an old light switch. Just beware the sharp edges!

    19. Knitting

    Yarn bomb your own home! Seen here.