DIY Decorated Light Switch Cover

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Sometimes it's nice to do a quick, fun project that is budget friendly.  I thought decorating the light switch covers would be a nice way to add a little color to our rooms.  I started in what used to be the bedroom for my youngest daughter.  She moved rooms and now it is the play room/guest room.  We moved her pictures, so the room has been kind of bare.  The walls are a periwinkle color, not quite blue but also not purple.  My daughters had a fun time helping me look through the different scrapbook paper I have and decide on which one we would use to decorate the light switch cover.

Are you ready to find out how to do this easy-on-the-budget project for yourself?  Alright, let's get down to it!

Supplies used

light switch cover plate

colorful paper
Plaid Mod Podge Gloss Finish
Mod Podge Silicone Craft Mat
paper trimmer or scissors
sponge brush

  

I had all of these items already, so my project was free!  If you don't have Mod Podge to use as your craft glue, you can find it at just about any store that sells craft supplies or you can click the link I provided and order it.  When I first bought it, I was kind of hesitant to pay $6.99 for a bottle of crafting glue.  If you enjoy doing these types of crafts, it will definitely be useful to you and it goes a long way.  I have worked on over 25 projects with this one bottle of 8oz glue.  It is only halfway used at this point.  So I have done 25 projects for about $3.50.  That seems like a great deal to me!  If you don't have a Mod Podge Craft Mat, remember to use newspaper to cover your crafting area...the Mod Podge is pretty sticky and you don't want to ruin your table.  Want to know the benefits of using the Mod Podge craft mat?  Click here for my review.

Here is the "before" picture.  Remove the light switch cover and wash and dry it.  Mine was dusty and you want to make sure you are working with a clean surface.

Next you want to choose a paper that looks good with your room.  We held up 10 different choices of papers before we chose the one that we liked the best.  

You can use scrapbook paper, gift wrap paper, or get inventive and make a collage of pictures, scrap paper, or tissue paper.

Place your paper with the pattern side down.  Put your light switch plate on the paper and trace it.  I left extra room so there would be enough to cover the plate and then fold a bit over the back side.  Cut the paper with your trimmer or scissors.

Apply a medium layer of Mod Podge, with the sponge brush, to the light switch cover plate.  I also put a thin layer on the paper that I used.  It is easier to make sure that you get glue on the edges when you apply it to the paper.

Place the paper onto your working area, glue side up.  Place the light switch cover onto the paper.  Check to make sure of smoothness, but be careful so you don't rip the paper.

Next you want to fold the paper over the back and use the glue to make sure it is smooth.  It is easiest if you make cuts at the corner of the paper so you can fold each side easily.  I usually apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the top of the paper where it meets the switch plate to make sure that it is sealed nicely.

With a craft knife, make a thin cut in the middle of the paper where the switch goes.  Then make cuts to each corner.  You will then be able to fold pieces back cleanly and glue them down.  I then put the screws through the holes where they will go when hanging it back up.  If you try to do this after applying the finishing layers of Mod Podge, it could be too thick.  I make the holes, then put the screws to the side so I can finish the project.

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the whole project and let it dry for about 20 minutes, then add another thin layer.  Your project will feel dry within an hour, but you should probably let it dry overnight.  

Put the switch cover plate back on the wall and reattach the screws.  You then have a nicely decorated light switch cover in the paper of your choice.  This is an easy project to work on, it's budget friendly, and it looks nice when done!  I can't wait to get started decorating the other light switch covers in our house!