Light switches and power sockets - a helpful guide to style

When it comes to achieving interior design perfection, the small details are what make all the difference. Whether it’s your new open plan kitchen or a small en suite bathroom, those little touches are absolutely critical for creating a professional finish. In this article, we look at how to match switches and sockets to different design styles.

Period Homes

For many of us, a period home is the absolute dream. It could be a beautiful Georgian property, a semi-detached Victorian house or a smart Edwardian flat, but whatever the era, achieving an authentic period finish is key.

That means as well as just the furniture and lighting, you should ensure that your light switches and plug sockets are also in keeping with the atmosphere. It’s worth finding a specialist supplier for these – Heritage Brass switches come in a particularly wide array of finishes that are great for a huge range of styles. A lovely choice of light switch for period homes is the Heritage Brass “Richmond Elite” switch in antique brass. This is a truly beautiful light switch that has a black trim for a super-smart finish.

Modern Style

For a more modern look, you’ll probably want to “switch it up”. (… Sorry, we couldn’t resist the pun!) Seriously, though, for modern homes and apartments, a finish that works particularly well tends to be chrome. You’ll find different treatments of chrome out there but a really sleek style is satin chrome. The Heritage Brass range in satin chrome is excellent, but their screwless socket is a really stand-out piece – the absence of any visible screws is extremely aesthetically pleasing.

Minimalist Interiors

Minimalism is a style that transcends all periods and can work well in any property. Granted, it’s not to everyone’s taste because, for some, a home needs a degree of clutter and fullness to feel truly warm and homely. For others, though, the calming, clarifying quality of a space with minimal ornamentation, that contains little more than the essentials for living, is the best corrective to our hectic world.

A common misconception about minimalism is that it is somehow less stylish than other interior looks. In some ways, however, style is actually even more important in a minimalist home because with so few objects, every last item makes a major contribution to the total ambience of the space. A really clever way to add character to a minimalist set-up is to incorporate black switches and sockets to contrast with white walls. The screwless plate in matt black from Heritage Brass is one very sophisticated plug socket that really makes a room pop.

These are just a few examples of ways in which you can match light switches and plug sockets to different interior styles. For more home design inspiration, it’s always helpful to browse the different finishes that are currently available and see where your imagination takes you. Arrow Electrical carries a wide variety of light switches and power sockets and is a Heritage Brass stockist.

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