Are you tired of the same boring almond-colored switch plates and outlet covers in every room? I’m going to show you how simple it is to make your wall plates reflect your personality and decor.

 

Collect some basic supplies: wall plates (duh), scissors, pen knife or razor blade, mod podge (I used hard coat), fine grit sandpaper and a sponge brush or small paint brush. You can use fabric, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, or create your own custom papers. For this how-to, I used scrapbook paper that coordinates with our newly painted walls.

You may notice a difference in paper pattern and plate as you scroll through the directions. I started taking photos for this post while using paper I designed myself and then I decided to switch to a scrapbook paper that coordinates better in our living space.  I was all over the place, but you get the idea.

Prepare your plate

 

 

Rough up your switch plate using sandpaper and remove the dust residue with a damp cloth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply a generous coat of Mod Podge to the face of the plate.

 

 

 

 

Apply Paper

 

 

Center your prepared plate on the paper (or fabric).  Quickly and carefully adjust the media so the pattern is straight.

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure you’ll have enough paper to wrap around the edges, then cut off the excess and the corners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add Mod Podge to the edges and back of the plate and wrap the paper around the sides to the back.

 

 

 

 

 

Finish wrapping and adhering the paper around the sides/edges to the back of the plate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply 2 even coats of Mod Podge to the front and around the edges and back of the plate, letting dry completely between each coat.

 

 

 

Finish your plate

 

 

When the Mod Podge has dried, you will need to open the spaces for the outlet or switch.  Cut these areas as shown, carefully folding the paper to the back and adhering with Mod Podge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

See how pretty the backs look?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carefully pierce the screw holes with the pointy end of the pen knife.  Holding the plate up to a light makes it easier to see the holes.

 

 

 

 

Hang and Enjoy!

 

Use the screws that came with the plate.  You can always add a quick swipe of paint (or nailpolish) if they don’t match.

 

 

 

 

 

There is really no limit to the looks you can create!