News, Trends and Tips

When decorating your home, you're likely focusing on color schemes. And while color is an essential part of interior design, materials matter too. Properly combining different materials adds depth, texture, and interest to your space. One trendy example in modern homes is utilizing brass accents to update your decor. Here are a few ways to tie this gorgeous, visually interesting material into your home. Switch Plates When it comes to metallic accents, a little can go a long way. They're so visually captivating that too much brass (or other metal) in a room can really overwhelm the space. So, if...

There are a lot of ways to upgrade the look of your home. You can buy artwork and put it up all around your house, you can invest in new furniture, and you can even update your kitchen or tear down a wall. There are some changes you can make, however, that require far less work and expense. For instance, switching out a room's light switch plates. While a minimal change in real terms, the aesthetic affect new wall plates can make to a room can be dramatic. Here are a few ideas for some wall plates you can purchase that...

Many of our newer customers question why we don't carry stainless steel wall plates. After all, wouldn't they be a great match for those stainless steel appliances in your kitchen or the equipment in your warehouse? There's a reason that you don't see a stainless steel switch plate cover anywhere in our online shop: we carry brushed nickel wall plates instead. Here's a thorough and fair comparison between these 2 types of metal finishes, and why we've opted to only offer one of them. Color Comparison If you compare a stainless steel wall plate and a brushed nickel wall plate...

When it comes to installing electrical wiring, there are a lot of specific guidelines that you must follow. These rules are set by local building codes and the National Electrical Code (NEC) to ensure the safety of everyone inside the building. However, there are no such regulations about where electrical wall switches must be placed. Even still, there are routine building standards that most contractors follow. Keep reading to learn where to position the wall switches in your building.  Switch Positioning in Standard Construction Typically, wall switches are positioned so a person can easily reach them when they enter a...

Wall plates are a necessity for keeping electrical boxes in place, protecting you and others from electric shock, and even keeping out pests. Wall plates also happen to look neat and sleek, especially if you shop in the right place. But you may be confused as to which types of cover plates you need for your home or office, especially if you plan to shop for cover plates online. Not all wall plate openings are alike, and you may have special needs for wall plate openings that mix outlet types. The wrong type of wall plate won't work to protect...