DESIGN DETAILS LIGHT SWITCHES

Used every day yet often overlooked, the humble switch has had a makeover. Here we share the tricks and brands to know…

From industrial-style toggles to custom colours, there are now a host of alternatives to the standard white box switch. ‘As an architect, details like these are super-important, which is why we designed our own,’ says Massimo Minale, an architect who founded Buster and Punch, which makes chunky metal light switches that take their cue from amplifier knobs (selection pictured above).

‘If you want to make a statement there are plenty of designs that will do just that,’ adds Mark Holloway, owner of Holloways of Ludlow. ‘Industrial styles and bronze are popular right now, but if you’d rather render the switches virtually invisible, match them to your wall colour or look for transparent plates.’

There may be lots of new design options, but the best way to position switches and sockets in a room remains the same. ‘Think about how you use the space, and map out where the furniture will be,’ says Holloway. ‘Plan socket placement to minimise trailing cables. Lights may need a two-way switch, so you can control them from different doorways, or the top and bottom of stairs.’ Minale advises dimmer switches inside the room, rather than at the door. ‘A toggle or rocker switch by the door gives instant illumination, but consider a dimmer by the bed, sofa or dining table so that you can control lighting levels from where you are sitting.’ ( busterandpunch.com; hollowaysofludlow.com).