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The No.1 Finishing Touch Your Home May Be Missing
Transform your room with this insanely easy addition
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Decorating a room can often mean our heads are buzzing with paint swatches and furniture styles, so much so that smaller details, such as light switches and sockets, can be overlooked. It’s not hard to see why, as they haven’t always been the most exciting design decision to make – until now that is!
Clipsal by Schneider Electric is Australia’s leading brand of electrical equipment and accessories, and has gone out of its way to turn this home essential from functional to fabulous. Yes, the days of unattractive white plastic switches are gone and in its place are a range of covetable new styles to choose from. So, turn your attention to picking a switch that complements your decor and you’ll be surprised just how much of an impact it can make – remember, it’s the small details that can make all the difference.
Read on to discover why light switches are here to ramp up your home style a notch.
Clipsal by Schneider Electric is Australia’s leading brand of electrical equipment and accessories, and has gone out of its way to turn this home essential from functional to fabulous. Yes, the days of unattractive white plastic switches are gone and in its place are a range of covetable new styles to choose from. So, turn your attention to picking a switch that complements your decor and you’ll be surprised just how much of an impact it can make – remember, it’s the small details that can make all the difference.
Read on to discover why light switches are here to ramp up your home style a notch.
Clever Design
We all know that light switches and sockets are a functional feature, but they’re also a great way of adding the finishing touch to your scheme. If you don’t want to settle for standard switches and sockets, then it’s time to update them with designs that show off your own personal taste and style, whether you’re updating your home from scratch, or simply want a quick room refresh.
We all know that light switches and sockets are a functional feature, but they’re also a great way of adding the finishing touch to your scheme. If you don’t want to settle for standard switches and sockets, then it’s time to update them with designs that show off your own personal taste and style, whether you’re updating your home from scratch, or simply want a quick room refresh.
Customise Your Look
So, how do you find a switch that’s right for you? Well, those of you with modern, elegant schemes may want to choose a streamlined design made from durable aluminium for a sleek finish. Opting for a switch that comes in a metallic finish will create a sophisticated look, and you can also find designs with rounded edges that emulate the trend for curves that are proving so popular in interior design right now.
Alternatively, if you like your home to have a more natural look and are a fan of bringing the outside in, then why not go for a timber look instead? These switches are ideal for warm, classic homes featuring timber accents and you can choose from light or darker-coloured wood to suit your decor.
So, how do you find a switch that’s right for you? Well, those of you with modern, elegant schemes may want to choose a streamlined design made from durable aluminium for a sleek finish. Opting for a switch that comes in a metallic finish will create a sophisticated look, and you can also find designs with rounded edges that emulate the trend for curves that are proving so popular in interior design right now.
Alternatively, if you like your home to have a more natural look and are a fan of bringing the outside in, then why not go for a timber look instead? These switches are ideal for warm, classic homes featuring timber accents and you can choose from light or darker-coloured wood to suit your decor.
Are They Easy to Change?
Traditionally, the answer is no, however, with the latest changeable designs available it’s a whole new ball game. The advantage of this type of switch is that once you have a grid plate fitted to the wall (by an electrician), then you can start the fun bit: choosing the style of switch you want.
By opting for a design that has a removable front piece, known as a ‘skin’, you can simply swap the skin (which pivots and clicks out from the grid plate) and replace it with the one of your choice as and when you like. So, if your decor changes, you can update your switch to match your new scheme quickly and easily, meaning it’s easy to customise and won’t date.
Traditionally, the answer is no, however, with the latest changeable designs available it’s a whole new ball game. The advantage of this type of switch is that once you have a grid plate fitted to the wall (by an electrician), then you can start the fun bit: choosing the style of switch you want.
By opting for a design that has a removable front piece, known as a ‘skin’, you can simply swap the skin (which pivots and clicks out from the grid plate) and replace it with the one of your choice as and when you like. So, if your decor changes, you can update your switch to match your new scheme quickly and easily, meaning it’s easy to customise and won’t date.
Use Your Switch as a Starting Point
When planning a room scheme it’s usual to have a range of material and paint swatches that you can mix and match together on a moodboard – but have you ever thought about including your light switch? With one of the new designs you can use the switch’s ‘skin’ as a considered design element, using it along with your upholstery fabrics and other chosen swatches to ensure you’re happy with the finish before decorating begins.
In some cases, you may even want to use the finish of your switch or socket as the starting point for your scheme. If, for example, you like the look of a pure white switch with a timber frame, then maybe a Scandi-style scheme would be right for you? Drawn to a more glamorous switch in a gold or silver design? Then match your other fittings in the same metallic finish.
If you like your design details to make a statement, why not opt for switch and socket finishes that will stand out against the wall they are on? Equally, you can opt for a design that will blend in with your decor if you’d prefer a more subtle look.
When planning a room scheme it’s usual to have a range of material and paint swatches that you can mix and match together on a moodboard – but have you ever thought about including your light switch? With one of the new designs you can use the switch’s ‘skin’ as a considered design element, using it along with your upholstery fabrics and other chosen swatches to ensure you’re happy with the finish before decorating begins.
In some cases, you may even want to use the finish of your switch or socket as the starting point for your scheme. If, for example, you like the look of a pure white switch with a timber frame, then maybe a Scandi-style scheme would be right for you? Drawn to a more glamorous switch in a gold or silver design? Then match your other fittings in the same metallic finish.
If you like your design details to make a statement, why not opt for switch and socket finishes that will stand out against the wall they are on? Equally, you can opt for a design that will blend in with your decor if you’d prefer a more subtle look.
Smart Home
These new interchangeable switch designs aren’t just pretty faces either – they’re loaded with clever features, all designed to make your home life easier. Features range from app-controlled dimming and time control to energy-saving options, with Bluetooth-enabled switches. So, no more worrying about forgetting to turn off light switches or devices!
There are some great features for families, too… Choose a socket that allows soft-glow LEDs to light the way as it senses movement, making it easy to navigate your way at night without turning all the lights on. You can easily convert it into a night light as well, making it ideal for kids’ rooms.
Then there’s the option of adding warm white LEDs to every switch and setting them as indicators, to show which switches are in use. Or, set your switches as ‘locators’, which means they’re easier to find in the dark.
These new interchangeable switch designs aren’t just pretty faces either – they’re loaded with clever features, all designed to make your home life easier. Features range from app-controlled dimming and time control to energy-saving options, with Bluetooth-enabled switches. So, no more worrying about forgetting to turn off light switches or devices!
There are some great features for families, too… Choose a socket that allows soft-glow LEDs to light the way as it senses movement, making it easy to navigate your way at night without turning all the lights on. You can easily convert it into a night light as well, making it ideal for kids’ rooms.
Then there’s the option of adding warm white LEDs to every switch and setting them as indicators, to show which switches are in use. Or, set your switches as ‘locators’, which means they’re easier to find in the dark.
Fun Features
Fed up of your benchtops being cluttered with phones while they’re charging? Choose a three-socket USB charger with an integrated shelf that holds a tablet or up to two phones – perfect for family areas or small spaces.
Then there’s push-button switches with technology that allows lights to be switched on and dimmed from multiple locations. Switch lights on at the bottom of the stairs and off at the top, or lower the lights from either side of the bed, for example.
And, if you’re tired of flicking multiple switches to find the right one, you may want to try a switch that features picture emblems on them, so you can see at a glance the switch you need.
More: Visit Clipsal’s website to find out more.
Tell us: What style of light switch would suit your scheme?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Fed up of your benchtops being cluttered with phones while they’re charging? Choose a three-socket USB charger with an integrated shelf that holds a tablet or up to two phones – perfect for family areas or small spaces.
Then there’s push-button switches with technology that allows lights to be switched on and dimmed from multiple locations. Switch lights on at the bottom of the stairs and off at the top, or lower the lights from either side of the bed, for example.
And, if you’re tired of flicking multiple switches to find the right one, you may want to try a switch that features picture emblems on them, so you can see at a glance the switch you need.
More: Visit Clipsal’s website to find out more.
Tell us: What style of light switch would suit your scheme?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Clipsal by Schneider Electric brings your home to life with a comprehensive range of solutions to meet your... Read More
Clipsal by Schneider Electric brings your home to life with a comprehensive range of solutions to meet your... Read More
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