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Give Plain Switch Plates a Makeover with an Extra Scrap of Wallpaper

Switch Plate Checklist by author Meghan Carter

  • Step-by-step instructions for how to cover a switch plate with wallpaper.
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Materials Need to Cover a Switch Plate with Wallpaper
  • Switch Plate
  • Wallpaper
  • Professional Border Adhesive for Wallpaper and Wallpaper Borders
  • Small Paintbrush
  • Razor, Wallpaper or Craft Knife
  • Screwdriver
  • Pencil

Steps for How to Cover a Switch Plate with Wallpaper
  • Hold the wallpaper on the wall over the place where to switch plate will go.
  • Line the wallpaper up with the wallpaper already on the wall.
  • Cut the section of the wallpaper that overlaps the place where to switch plate will go leaving 3 to 4 inches on either side.
  • Put the switch plate on the wall.
  • Put the wallpaper piece over the switch plate cover.
  • Line the wallpaper up with the wallpaper already on the wall.
  • Press your fingers tightly against the wallpaper and the switch plate.
  • Put one or two of your fingers behind the switch plate while holding the wallpaper in place.
  • Pull the switch plate and the wallpaper piece away from the wall.
  • Put the switch plate and wallpaper down with the back of the switch plate facing up.
  • Delicately fold the edges of the wallpaper over the switch plate without letting the switch plate move across the wallpaper.

  • Pick up the switch plate and the wallpaper.
  • Put the switch plate and the wallpaper on the wall.
  • Check to see if the wallpaper on the switch plate lines up with the wallpaper on the wall.
  • If it doesn't, adjust the wallpaper piece until it does.
  • After finding the correct position, crease the wallpaper heavily around the switch plate.
  • Write which side of the wallpaper piece is up using a pencil on the upper edge of the folded part of the wallpaper.
  • Set the switch plate aside.
  • Use the small paintbrush to spread the professional border adhesive onto the section of the wallpaper where the face of the switch plate will be.
  • Find which side of the top of the switch plate.
  • Put the switch plate down on the wallpaper with the top of the switch plate on the side of the wallpaper that says "up."
  • Press firmly on the switch plate.
  • Wrap the edges of the wallpaper around the switch plate.
  • Put the switch plate on the wall.
  • Check to make sure the edges of the wallpaper around switch plate line up with the wallpaper on the wall.
  • If it does not line up, adjust the wallpaper.
  • Trim the edges of the wallpaper so that the wallpaper just curls over the edge of the switch plate.
  • Put border adhesive on the edges of the wallpaper with the small paintbrush.
  • Fold the edges of the wallpaper over the switch plate.
  • Press the edges of the wallpaper down firmly against the switch plate.
  • Let the switch plate dry until the wallpaper no longer moves across the switch plate.
  • Cut holes where the switches will be with a razor, wallpaper or craft knife.  
  • Poke holes where the screws will go.
  • Let the switch plate completely dry.
  • Put the switch plate on the wall.
  • Secure the switch plate on the wall with the screws.



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