Most people don't think about their switch plates very often, but many homeowners don't realize that smart light switches are part of home automation. The trend may have started in Silicon Valley, but home automation is becoming more affordable and more user friendly every day. As an added bonus, you may be able to cut down on your electricity usage, which is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Traditional wall plates have been around for years, and some of them are quite beautiful. If you simply want a decorative element, there are plenty of traditional wall plates that could work well in your home. However, they don't offer the perks of smart light switches.
Traditional Wall Plates
You encounter wall plates all the time. This is the plate that goes behind light switches in each room. These plates serve a very practical purpose. They held hide the wires in the wall, which prevents exposure or accidental contact. Additionally, they keep hands away from the wallpaper or paint on your walls. This helps to avoid smudges, stains, or discoloration. While wall plates clearly play a very functional role in every home or office, this isn't all they can do.
Decorative light switch covers have been around for years. Some of them have an antique appearance. This is excellent if you want to embrace a bronze or brass motif for your design plan. Other might be wood, stone, or copper. Screwless wall plates are smooth, stylish, and modern. Chrome or nickel wall plates are great if you prefer a more industrial look.
Ultimately, it's easy to incorporate wall plates into the aesthetic of your home or office space. All it takes is a little bit of planning. A decorative wall plate is a great way to add an extra touch, without the need to splurge. If you want to put the finishing touches on your redesign or remodeling project, decorative wall plates are a great option.
Smart Light Switches
Smart light switches take things in a whole new direction. Smart light switches are quite flexible, and they don't demand the expense of replacing every bulb in your home. This a great money saver, and it also makes them a bit easier to implement. However, you do need to make a couple decisions when installing smart light switches.
First and foremost, you have to choose whether you want wired or wireless. Wired requires a bit of rewiring, but it's an excellent choice if you're upgrading your own home. Wireless is probably the better choices for renters. On/off switches do precisely what the name implies. They simply turn your lights on or off. Dimmer switches are great for mood lighting or for creating a certain ambiance.
All smart light switches have either an accompanying application or device. Some have a central hub or a proprietary device, although they may be compatible with other controllers. Others rely on your smartphone and an application that you can download.
Many smart light switches come in a variety of styles and designs, so you can combine the benefits of a decorative light switch and a smart light switch. The programmable switches give you a lot of choices. You can create patterns, set times and schedules, or you can access and control your lighting remotely. Since you can avoid accidentally leaving your lights on, you can actually save electricity and money with smart light switches.
As you can see, switch plates aren't there strictly to keep stains off your walls. Contact Wallplate Warehouse at 888-643-3744 if you have any questions or if you'd like a recommendation.
