How to Make Decorative Switch Plates

Decorative switch plates can be very expensive, and finding a decorative switch plate to match a particular theme is often difficult. Stop searching for a particular switch plate theme, and consider decorating a switch plate yourself. Decorative switch plates are easy to make, and you can make decorative switch plates for a fraction of the cost of store-bought decorative switch plates. Best of all, you can make a decorative switch plate to correspond with virtually any theme.

The following ideas will help you make the decorative switch plate you've been searching for. Use your imagination and the following ideas to turn an ordinary switch plate into something unique and extraordinary. You'll want to turn every switch plate in your home into a decorative work of art to match the theme of every room.

Sports Ball Switch Plates

Baseballs are popular subjects for decorative switch plates, and you can easily make it yourself and save a considerable amount of money. Simply buy a round wooden switch plate from your local craft supply store, and paint it with white latex craft paint. After the white paint dries, paint red stitches to complete a baseball switch plate.

To make a basketball switch plate, simply paint a round wooden unfinished switch plate the appropriate shade of orange. If you want your basketball switch plate to look really authentic, after the orange paint dries, use a real basketball as a stamp for added realism and texture. Spread a thin layer of orange paint that's one shade darker than the background, onto a clean basketball. Roll the painted basketball over the switch plate. The texture will make the switch plate look very authentic. Simply finish the basketball by adding dark brown or black lines.

Use this procedure to make any round sports ball switch plate you desire, and if the ball has texture, use an actual ball as a rolling stamp, and make your finished project as realistic as possible. Latex paint can be removed from nonporous items fairly easily.

Collage Switch Plate

You can make a switch plate collage to match any decorative theme imaginable. Consider making tropical fish, flowers, butterflies, ladybugs, dinosaurs, or any other shapes desired. Simply cut out shapes from art-quality tissue paper, and glue them to a plain switch plate using Mod-Podge. Coat the shapes with an ample amount of Mod-Podge, and allow the Mod-Podge to dry completely. Apply one more coat if necessary, and allow the Mod-Podge to dry before handling.

Further embellish the collage with self-adhesive faux jewels. Butterfly wings can be adorned with tiny jewels, flowers can have beautiful jeweled centers, and a tropical fish collage can include a treasure chest of sparkling gems. Use your imagination to create a unique eye-catching switch plate to match the theme of your special room.

Cartoon Character Switch Plate

If you or your child is fond of a popular cartoon character, consider making a character switch plate. Many popular characters can be found on sheets of wrapping paper. Consider searching for your favorite cartoon character on wrapping paper, and if you find what you're looking for, simply cut out the characters and any other graphics you like, and glue them to a plain switch plate using Mod-Podge. Cover the surface with Mod-Podge, and allow it to dry. Brush on another coat if necessary, and enjoy your new cartoon character switch plate.

NASCAR Switch Plate

NASCAR is extremely popular, and NASCAR is often used as a decorative theme in bedrooms, living rooms, and family rooms. You can easily make a NASCAR switch plate that is far better than anything you can buy in a store. The following instructions are for decorating a rocker switch.

Simply prepare the surface of a plain switch plate by sanding it lightly, and paint it black to represent a paved road. After the black paint dries, paint a yellow dotted line along the left edge of the switch plate to represent lines on the road. Choose your favorite miniature NASCAR replica, and attach the rough side of self-adhesive Velcro to the car. Attach the soft side of the self-adhesive Velcro to the rocker switch, and your NASCAR switch plate is ready to rock and roll.