DIYer Makes Ugly Light Switches Less Of An Eyesore With One Charming, Clever Hack

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Plain, dingy light switches subtract from the style of your room, but there's a fun trick to upgrade those boring switch plates. While many people paint plastic outlet and switch covers, a bit of clay and decorative paper can give you more creative control and a distinctive, textured look. On Instagram, shellychicboutique (also known as Michelle McRae) posted her adorable trick for transforming boring, white switch plates into a custom piece of home decor: The DIYer used oven-baked polymer clay to craft a stunning frame to place around the cover. With a decorative napkin and a bit of Mod Podge, she covered the frame with a beautiful floral design. And all for only a few dollars.

McRae created an open, rectangular shape with scalloped edges to frame the plate, but clay is a versatile medium. Customize the shape and design of your frame to be unique and fit your aesthetic. Making a decorative piece to add to your current covers is a genius hack to make ugly light switches way less of an eyesore. This DIY also means you don't have to replace any hardware. However, you can also crafting an entirely new switch plate from clay, especially if the existing ones are cracked or discolored.

At Michael's, a 2-ounce pack of Craft Smart white polymer clay costs around $2. This type of clay has to be baked in the oven for it to harden. If this seems intimidating, air-drying clay is a simpler alternative that provides similar results, but be aware that air-drying clay is more fragile if banged or dropped than its polymer counterpart.

In the video, McRae used a paper stencil as a guide to slice the shape from the clay. To create your own template, measure your switch plates and draw the dimensions onto a piece of paper. Draw your frame around this rectangular or square shape. The pattern can be anything you like — a heart, flower, or any fun shape. Cut out your entire stencil, and then cut out the opening for your switch cover in the middle, too.

On Instagram, the DIYer rolled out the clay thin and flat, then laid the stencil over it. With a sharp tool, she cut the pattern from the clay and baked it. Check the instructions on your polymer clay for the proper temperature and bake time; generally, these clays bake at lower temperatures like 275 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness. With air-drying clay, wait for the switch plate frame to harden completely, turning the project so the bottom dries as well.

If a frame isn't enough to fix the appearance of your yellowing or broken switch plates, you can create a stencil that mimics your current hardware. You can build the same creative design as the frame above onto the edges of the template, so your new cover has plenty of personality but fits like a regular switch or outlet plate. Make sure to cut out screw holes to securely attach the plate to the wall.

Once the clay is dry, you can decorate this switch plate accent. McRae upcycled a Delftware-inspired napkin to decoupage the project, but tissue paper or any decorative paper will work well. She cut out flowers from the top layer of the napkin, rather than using a larger piece. The DIYer painted Mod Podge onto the project and placed pieces of paper over the frame, folding down the edges to the scalloped contours. Once dry, she added another coat of Mod Podge, then sprayed the frame with a glossy sealant.

If you can't find a paper you like, or simply for a more customized look, paint the dried clay directly. Fun colors and patterns will make your switch plate frames pop, or go for flowers, trees, or any other imagery. Seal the paint with a protective, glossy or matte finish. UV-hardening resin can be a great way to ensure your DIY hardware is sealed, shiny, and protected.

For a temporary, renter-friendly option, small adhesive strips let you stick the DIY frame onto the wall around your switch plate, and Target carries poster size Command Strips for about $5. For those who want an easier, immediate solution, hide boring or yellowing plates behind open-backed shelving, loaded with books or decorative items, to say goodbye to ugly light switches.