New Electrical Switches Add Wow Factor to Homes

It's an unwritten rule of home design.  Once you improve one element in a room, the remaining elements call for improvement too.  Have you ever replaced the countertops in your kitchen?  Suddenly the cabinetry and floors look dated and horrible.

Dated and grimy light switches detract from the overall appearance of a home.

While shiny new kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, there are other details in a home that hint at its relative care and modernization--light switches.  Yes, those ubiquitous devices on the wall you only think about when turning on a light or plugging something in.   Every home has dozens of them, yet when did you last have a conversation over cocktails about the type of outlets and switches you chose for your home?

If you're doing a minor remodel, why not take some time and relatively little expense to bring those switches into the 21st century?

 A near-invisible flush mounted outlet from Trufig of California.  The product line received "Most Innovative Product’ by the American Society of Interior Designers in 2011 as well as several other awards for design and innovation.   

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A simple but modern push-button switch by Trufig.

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Kitchens are loaded with outlets. This near-invisible wall outlet by Trufig reduces visual clutter.

With all the wood paneling found in homes on Cape Cod, an outlet like this would be a stunner. 

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Yet another option appears so old-fashioned, it looks totally new.  It is the line of switches and outlets by Forbes and Lomax of London, UK.  They look as much at home at 1920's-era Downton Abbey as a new Polhemus, Savery and DaSilva masterpiece on Cape Cod.   Rather than disappear, Forbes and Lomax elevates switches to jewelry for walls.  Finishes include unlaquered brass, stainless steel and nickel. 

Old-school toggle switches shine in stainless steel.

Bank of light switches in unlaquered brass will mellow to a darker patina unless periodically polished.

European electrical standards allow for more unique designs.

The most important consideration in replacing electrical switches in the home is that they have GFI, or ground-fault circuit interrupters in all water areas to prevent against electrical shock.  

Homes with young children may wish to install tamper-resistant outlets.  

Lastly, the more high-end you go, the more you'll want to keep the look consistent throughout the entire home.  If you install a toggle switch in one room, the other rooms will appear forgotten with common, generic switches.  And while the cost of a single switch can be between $100 and $200 uninstalled, the purchase of dozens of these high-end devices for an entire home adds up.