Choosing Designer Sockets For Your Home

There's so much work and consideration involved in redesigning a home that the smaller features often get overlooked. For example, when bringing new life to an old kitchen or living room design, have you considered what the sockets will look like? It might seem inconsequential compared to bigger issues like wall designs and furnishings. Yet, those little finishing touches could be what add that perfect final touch. Designer sockets and switches are an option.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best socket for your home renovation project.

The Outlets

The first thing to think about here is how many outlets you want on each socket. It isn't practical to have every socket the same, especially in rooms with looks of appliances. One corner of the kitchen could require four outlets to handle everything needed to make breakfast, while the one on the other side is just there as a spare.

The same goes for home offices. You can have a more complex set-up in front of the desk to plug in a computer, printer, and anything that's charging. Other outlets around the room can be more simple. When looking at these outlets for offices and bedrooms, it's also worth considering adding some USB charging points. These can be a great timesaver when working with USB-connected devices and charging phones and tablets.

The Material

Next, you can start thinking about what material you want. Plastic sockets are still an option and can work really well because of some of the factors mentioned below. They are cheaper, but they don't have to look cheaper. With the right product in place, you can get something that looks great and is durable. Still, if you're keen to have that more high-end look for your room, you might prefer the idea of a metal socket instead.

Metal socket plates can look really stylish and are a strong, durable option that suits any space. The question from there is which metal and which finish.

The Colour And Style

Colour is important when choosing the right socket for your room. The tone can match in with the feel of a room and other aspects of the decor to make a massive difference. For example, if you have a stylish living room with some fun accent colours throughout, your basic white outlets that came with the property will stand out like a sore thumb. If you have a kitchen with a lot of chrome appliances, matching sockets could be a great way to accentuate that.

It's a good idea to start with the type of metal the socket is made from. If you want a fairly traditional cool tone for your outlets and switches, you can stick with steel and chrome. These continue to offer a nice contemporary feel without shouting for attention too much. Alternatively, you could look at some of the warmer tones. Brass is a popular choice for a more old-fashioned and cosy feel to a room. You can also enjoy the beauty of a deeper copper or bronze. It helps to compare these designer sockets and switches online to get a better idea of their feel and colour. This is especially important if you want to bring in any additional features like a specific finish. Some homeowners love the reflective shine of chrome and the modernist feel that brings. However, it can be a little harsh for others, and that's where brushed steel is often a winning choice instead.

Of course, you don't have to go for a typical metal tone at all. Many companies will offer colours with a strong layer of saturated colour over the plate. Again, this is where it pays to really go through your options and start comparing them with your plans. You might be surprised at what's on offer. If you really wanted to, you could get a clean white socket to blend into a white wall - but that's a little boring and harder to keep looking clean and fresh. Black sockets could offer some serious impact when paired with the right decor. This could be perfect in a home office with a monochrome look where outlets are a necessity, not something to be hidden away. Then there's everything in between.

You can find soft greens for a more natural, earthy vibe - perfect for a living space with many houseplants. You could go pink for some feminine fun in a bedroom or child's room. The point is that the options are more varied than you might imagine.

The Finishing Touches

From there, you can start thinking about the finishing touches. The best companies will allow for a high level of customization with these sockets to make them ideal for your living space. One consideration is the finish on the switches. This is especially important on more dominant gang sockets. Do you want the switch to blend in with the socket for a minimal feel? That would mean adding the same brushed or chrome metal or the same colour. Or would it be more visually interesting and practical to have metal switches in coloured sockets?

Other considerations with these finishing touches are the inlays and the final fit. The inlays are the pieces the plug fits into. Again, some people like to have these match the right of the socket for a clean look. However, a contrasting colour could make them easier to use as the precise location for the pins is more visible for kids and those with impairments. Finally, you can decide if you want the screws hidden on not. Old-fashioned sockets screw directly into the wall, while modern ones have plates that clip over the top of wall fixtures.

Designer Sockets And Switches Can Elevate A Room

Once you have an idea of which materials and finishes you want and how to create a more practical and stylish look for your home, get in touch with a top manufacturer. They'll have you set up with high-end solutions in no time. Then, you can enjoy a room with a more stylish feel and practical solutions.