Switches & Outlets

101 products

Frequently Asked Questions

Match the switch and plate to your room's wall, hardware or trim, depending on the look you want. For a subtle, built-in feel, pick a plate that blends into the wall color so the switch almost disappears. To make more of a statement, choose a finish that matches your door hardware or cabinet pulls so the switch reads as part of the design. Whenever possible, avoid mixing more than two finishes in the same room.
Custom homes usually feature metal toggle switches, rocker switches or rotary dimmers in finishes like unlacquered brass, antique bronze, polished nickel or matte black. Cover plates are often solid metal, stone or leather rather than molded plastic. You'll also see dedicated dimmers in every primary room, keypad controllers for multi-fixture spaces and smart switches that seamlessly integrate with the home's lighting system.
Start with what plugs in there. Standard duplex outlets work almost anywhere, but USB and USB-C outlets make sense at bedside, in home offices and at kitchen counters. GFCI outlets are required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and outdoors. Tamper-resistant outlets are code in most residential spaces built or renovated after 2008. Whichever outlet you choose, don't forget to match the outlet finish to the switches and plates in the same room.
Most modern designer dimmers work with LED, but not every dimmer fits every bulb. Look for dimmers labeled LED-compatible or CL (compact fluorescent and LED) rated, and check the wattage range against your bulbs. Some older dimmers cause LEDs to flicker, buzz or refuse to dim past 30 percent. When in doubt, pair the dimmer brand with bulbs tested by the same manufacturer for the cleanest dimming.