Decorating around a light switch? PIP

[teeah22]

So I have this little nook that's housing what used to be my entryway table. The walls will eventually be painted some shade of gray. Normally I'd put a mirror or something on the wall but there's this lovely white light switch right in the middle of it. Is there a way to work around this, or should I just give up on putting anything on the wall?

[Deleted]

I would still want to put something, I think. Probably something short and wide so it doesn't interfere with the switch at all and might draw your eye up and away from the switch.

[Deleted]

Hang whatever you want above it/around it/to the side of it whatever.
It's a weird place for a light switch but it's only a light switch so I wouldn't worry about it.

[mrsemilys]

What if you did a collage of a few small frames and actually put a frame around the light switch. I think it will blend in with the other frames and not stand out so much

[prazenjc]

i would maybe do a paint treatment like horizontal stripes, morrocan tile or trellis pattern. that way you can do it around the light switch, still bring interest and it takes the place of artwork. it seems like the walls are such that it would be easy to do this.

[jhawks482]

If it were me, and I was planning on staying in the house for a long time, I'd just move the switch a couple of feet. We did this with a thermostat that was placed right next to the fireplace (not sure what idiot thought to do that- when the fireplace is on, it jacks the thermostat WAY up and the heat doesn't come on at all so the bedrooms are cold, but i digress). It was simple, and my husband and his friend did it.
I'd drill a new hole and move the plate, and patch the old hole. If you're hanging something over it, it wouldn't be a big deal if it weren't flawless.

[orangetennvolfan]

I agree with the collage wall. It could make it blend right in.

[sierramist03]

Dec 19, 2012 19:24:29 GMT -5 mrsemilys said:

What if you did a collage of a few small frames and actually put a frame around the light switch. I think it will blend in with the other frames and not stand out so much

This is what I was thinking too

[mrsemilys]

Carmel at Our Fifth House just did this, which isn't exactly what I was thinking but a picture is always nice to see to get ideas:



I think with a large switch like yours you should include the switch in the frame collage.

[McGavin]

I agree with Jhawks. If you're staying for a long time and you're repainting anyway I'd just move the switch over.

H had to do that in our bathroom since there was an outlet "conveniently" located right over the sink, in the way of where the mirror would go. He also moved over the light box since it wasn't centered. Some electricians don't have a lot of insight.

[lys]

I LOVE the painted stripe idea

[sebd12]

Can you lean a large canvas print against the wall? If you put the edge of the canvas close to the edge of the switch plate, you can still reach behind the canvas to access the switch, but it's covered up. I guess the practicality of that is how often you use the light switch. The taller the canvas, the more hand-space you would have at switch-level.

[spankswife]

Can you move the table to the wall on the right?

Or I'd say the frame idea for temporary, and agree with moving the light switch for more permanent solution.

[teeah22]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. We need an electrician to come out at some point for some other things so I think I'll ask about moving it. I do like the idea of a stencil wall though. We won't be painting until probably the summer since we have to hire it out, so I think I'll just leave it as is for now. I have plenty of other projects to keep me busy in the meantime.

[lifesapeach]

If you can't move it, I think the collage idea is great. I really like your wall color though, what color is it?

[sarahbear]

Another vote for moving the switch. It will be so worth it.

[teeah22]

Dec 23, 2012 16:56:02 GMT -5 lifesapeach said:

If you can't move it, I think the collage idea is great. I really like your wall color though, what color is it?

No idea, it came with the house. I plan on changing it, I've got a cream, gray, and blue thing going on and the beige just doesn't look right. Plus there's a billion holes in the wall, as well as "Bienvenidos a mi casa" painted in huge letters in the foyer (I don't speak Spanish so that's gotta go.)