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Electrical Wiring Remodeling Lighting

Best Source for New Light Switches, Outlets, Covers, etc

2 years ago

We just moved into a new house and all the light switches, outlets, light switches covers, outlet covers, dimmers, etc are old and the beige/off white color that were popular years ago. What is the best source (economical, reliable and good quality) for purchasing large quantities of these in white? Thanks!

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Comments (7)

sushipup1
2 years ago
Home Depot or Lowe's.
wdccruise
2 years ago
For many of these items Home Depot offers multi-packs at substantial discount. For example, one white Decora Midway wall plate costs $0.96 while 10 cost $8.16.

Lutron Maestro LED+ Dimmer Switches are excellent as are the Lutron Diva LED+ Dimmer Switches which include physical (not just electronic) on/off switches but are not programmable.

I used occupancy sensors (with, without dimmer) in hallways so the lights would turn on when I entered at night.
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I'd want the light switch to be at the "standard switch height" for your house. That way there is no searching the wall for the switch in the darkness. Or out of habit. I'd not want the towel hanging on the ring/bar to cover anything up. Nor would I want the wire from whatever is plugged into the outlet to be in the way of any switch or to get tangled with the towel. Will things be permanently plugged into it? Or will it be "time of use" only? That can make a difference. With the Thermostat most likely being the least used and if it can't be set at the same height as the light switch, I'd set that a bit higher up on the wall than the light switch/fan switch combo, but aligned vertically with it. Personally, I prefer fan/light combo timer switches. A single switch controls both. You turn the switch on, the light and the fan come on. You turn the switch off, the light turns off immediately but the fan runs for an additional preset time. If you did that, you could put your fan/light switch and outlet in a dual gang box at the appropriate switch height. Put the thermostat in its own single-gang box a little higher on the wall, but aligned vertically with the switch box. Below that, at a height high enough to keep your draped hand towels off the countertop (if I understand your situation I think it's hand towels), but low enough to deconflict with the outlet, place the towel bar/ring. I'd use painters tape and mock up the locations and see how they work. Unless I'm really misunderstanding your description, I don't think "how they look" will be an issue. "New things" sometimes look weird to the un-used to it eyeball. Once you get used to the look, all will be well. So prioritize substance or functionality over style.
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I'm always harping on this, but I think that the little bright white bumps stick out like pimples. I don't understand why anyone agonizes over the right paint, only to have the perfect wall dotted with these things. And don't get me started on hot air registers. If the outlet is near the floor, and is covered by furniture, I don't think it's as big a deal. But the white light switch cover always draws my eye, esp. right by a door. If you've got a great piece of art on the wall, why distract the viewer with a $1.19 light switch? I use stainless where it makes sense, like in my kitchen, but I use the Masque ones linked to by Johnmari. It's a grace note, and it's worth it to me.
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Dave
2 years ago
Your cheapest bet are standard outlets and toggle switches. decora will cost more but some like the look.

outlets, swicthes and cover plates are cheap. lowes or HD is fine. replace the old ivory with white for a clean undated look.
wdccruise
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
"decora will cost more but some like the look"

I think they say "modern" at a pretty low cost. I splurged and put white switches and outlets with stainless steel Decora wall plates in the kitchen.
Dave
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Again, decora will cost more and some prefer the look. not sure what youre getting at.

the poster can make up their own mind with which type they prefer. replacing with anything white will look modern when you have old ivory switches and outlets.

the only place i used decora in my house was in the kitchen. i wanted the coutertop outlets loaded off the gfi’s to match the shape and cover plate style.
recordaras
2 years ago
We replaced all switches with Lutron, however we were also replacing outlets and Lutron was just too expensive, so we got a couple of multipacks of the Leviton decora outlets and put Lutron covers on them. The whites aren’t identical, but close enough that at standard outlet level 99.9% of people won’t notice. The outlets that were closer to eye level (backsplash, bathroom) we replaced with Lutron.
wdccruise
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Leviton switches, outlets, and wall plates make the most sense. Ten Leviton Decora switches are only $17.60 while one Lutron Claro switch is $8.03. Save Lutron for dimmers.

-----

@Dave: "...not sure what youre getting at"

@wdccruise: "I think they say 'modern' at a pretty low cost" is what I'm getting at.

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