Most people agonise over cabinet hardware, then pick a white plastic outlet and call it a day.
Your switches and outlets are just as visible as your pulls and knobs — and they're one of the easiest ways to either tie a scheme together or quietly unravel it.
Here's how to match, mix, and get it right the first time.
Should light switches and outlets match your hardware?
Yes — but matching doesn't always mean identical. In most homes, you'll choose one of three approaches:
- Match → for a cohesive, architectural feel
- Mix intentionally → for layered, design-led interiors
- Blend into the wall → for a minimal, almost invisible result
The key isn't strict coordination anymore — it's consistency of intent.
Your finish palette for switches & outlets.
Our US-compatible collection of electrical hardware is intentionally edited — which makes mixing easier, not harder.
Antique Brass 🤎
Warm, soft, slightly aged — the most antique-feeling option in the range.
- Works beautifully as a primary finish
- Adds depth in both modern and traditional spaces
- Develops character alongside surrounding materials
Best paired with:
- Matching Antique Brass hardware
- Matte black accents
- Natural timber and stone
Brass 💛
Clean, warm, and more vibrant than Antique Brass — with a brushed, satin finish.
- Feels classic but not overly traditional
- Works well as a "connector" finish in mixed schemes
Best paired with:
- Unlacquered Brass (for subtle tonal layering)
- Black accents (for contrast)
- Brushed or neutral lighting finishes
Heirloom Brass 🪙
Refined, balanced, and warmer than Antique Brass — but less pristine than our classic Brass. It arrives feeling a little lived-in.
- Feels timeless without leaning too traditional
- Sits comfortably between Antique Brass and brighter Brass tones
- Adds warmth while keeping schemes looking crisp and considered
Best paired with:
- Matching Heirloom or Antique Brass hardware
- Black or Blackened Bronze accents for contrast
- Neutral cabinetry and natural materials (wood, stone, painted finishes)
Blackened Bronze ⚫
Bold, architectural, and grounding. Less harsh than matte black hardware, it has a warm reddish undertone that shines through in daylight.
- Acts as a visual anchor in a scheme
- Helps define contrast in lighter interiors
Best paired with:
- Antique Brass (a strong mixed-metal pairing)
- White or painted walls (for definition)
- Minimal cabinet hardware schemes
Polished Nickel 💿
A cooler, high-shine, contemporary finish. Though cool in tone, it has a warm undertone — less stark than chrome.
- Introduces contrast in warmer schemes
- Works well in kitchens and bathrooms (read our styling guide)
Best paired with:
- Unlacquered Brass or Antique Brass (for intentional contrast)
- Cool-toned stone or marble
- Crisp, modern cabinetry
Unlacquered Brass 📀
The most dynamic finish in the range. A "living finish" that gets better with age.
- Starts polished, then naturally patinas over time (unless you polish it back to 'new')
- Creates depth and variation across installations
Best paired with:
- Brass (for tonal harmony) or Polished Nickel (for intentional contrast)
- Mixed metals — it adapts rather than competes
- Textured materials that evolve over time
The new design rule: mixed metals, done properly.
Mixed metals aren't about randomness — they're about repetition and rhythm. Here's the Plank Hardware approach:
1. Repeat every finish at least twice ✌️
A finish shouldn't appear just once in a space.
For example:
That repetition is what makes it feel designed, not accidental.
2. Use switches as the "bridge layer" 🌉
Switches and outlets sit between categories — which makes them ideal connectors.
Example scheme:
- Antique Brass cabinet hardware
- Black lighting
- 👉 Antique Brass switches with black detailing
Now everything feels tied together without being matchy-matchy.
3. Balance warm vs cool tones ⚖️
Your palette naturally splits into two families:
- Warm: Brass, Antique Brass, Unlacquered Brass, Heirloom Brass
- Cool/neutral: Blackened Bronze, Polished Nickel
Strong interiors usually mix across the two — but always with one dominant tone.
Finish pairing guide. 📝
Polished Nickel + Unlacquered Brass 💿📀
A balanced warm–cool contrast that feels both classic and current.
- Polished Nickel switches or outlets
- Unlacquered Brass hardware or lighting
- Neutral or lightly textured cabinetry
Result: Crisp but lived-in — the Polished Nickel keeps things sharp, while Unlacquered Brass softens and evolves over time.
Heirloom Brass + Blackened Bronze 🪙⚫
A refined contrast with depth and definition.
- Heirloom Brass switches and outlets
- Blackened Bronze lighting or accents
- Warm or neutral cabinetry
Result: Timeless with structure — classic warmth, grounded by darker, architectural notes.
Blackened Bronze + Unlacquered Brass ⚫📀
Bold, high-contrast, and intentionally layered.
- Blackened Bronze switches or plates
- Unlacquered Brass hardware
- Minimal or tonal cabinetry palette
Result: Dramatic but balanced — the dark finish anchors the space, while the living Brass adds movement and warmth.
Antique Brass + Blackened Bronze 🤎⚫
A softer take on contrast.
- Antique Brass switches
- Blackened Bronze accents or inserts
- Layered lighting finishes
Result: Warm, grounded, slightly more relaxed than sharper pairings.
Brass + Unlacquered Brass 💛📀
Subtle tonal variation with a warm, evolving feel.
- Brass hardware
- Unlacquered Brass switches and outlets
- Warm lighting finishes
Result: Cohesive and calm — a low-contrast scheme that feels layered rather than matched, with added depth as the Unlacquered Brass naturally patinas over time.
Where mixed metals matter most. 🏠
Kitchen 🍽️
This is where everything is most visible.
- Keep one dominant finish across cabinetry
- Use switches to bridge appliances, lighting and hardware
- Avoid introducing more than 2–3 finishes total
Living spaces 🛋️
The best place to experiment.
- Lighting can introduce contrast
- Switches help unify across zones
- Mixed metals feel intentional here, not risky
Bedrooms 🛌
More restrained.
- Stick to warm palettes
- Use switches to quietly match lighting or hardware
- Avoid high contrast unless the room is very modern
Bathrooms 🛁
Precision matters.
- Match switches to tapware or hardware tones
- Polished Nickel works especially well here
- Keep variation minimal
Common mistakes to avoid. ⚠️
- Introducing too many finishes in one room
- Matching everything too rigidly — it flattens the space
- Forgetting outlets — they're just as visible as switches
- Mixing warm and cool metals without repetition to anchor them
Exposed screws vs covered screws — why it matters. 🪛
Our switches and outlets give you a choice — install them with, or without, the supplied screw cover caps — and that's part of the design.
- Exposed screws → more utilitarian, slightly industrial, honest detailing
- Domed screw cover caps → cleaner, more refined, visually streamlined
Neither is "right" — it depends on the look you're going for.
When to leave screws exposed.
- Industrial or architectural interiors
- Darker finishes like Blackened Bronze
- Spaces where you want a bit more edge and honesty in the details
When to use screw cover caps.
- Softer, more refined interiors
- Kitchens and bathrooms where finishes are more considered
- Mixed metal schemes — reducing visual noise helps everything sit together
Shop switches & outlets.
- All Switches & Outlets
- Dimmer Switches
- Toggle & Rocker Switches
- Outlets
- Switch Plates & Outlet Covers
- Build Your Own
Switches and outlets aren't background details anymore. They're a connector between materials — a tool for either calm cohesion or deliberate contrast.
Choose your dominant finish first, then echo or contrast it in lighting and hardware. Use switches and outlets to either tie everything together — or sharpen the mix.
That's where mixed metals stop being a trend and start feeling like a system.
