Switches & Sockets

In the gallery:

1 Hamilton Litestat‘s Linea-Rondo CFX Bright Chrome/ Piano Black switch, £37 plus VAT (01747 860088)
2 TLC’s double switched socket with Electrostatically Coated Graphite Finish, £5.30 (tlc-direct.co.uk)
3 Focus SB’s Ambassador two-gang two-way switch in polished steel, £36.52 (01424 858060)
4 Turnstyle Designs’ Chestnut leather-clad socket with dark bronze switch costs from £68 (01271 325325)
5 Candy Queen’s switches cost from £19.99. Space Shuttle switch, £24.99 (candyqueendesigns.co.uk)
6 Jim Lawrence’s Dolly and Dimmer combination, shown in a polished finish. From £50 (01473 826685)
7 John Cullen Lighting’s Clear Perspex Plate with nickel rotary dimmer, from £72 (020 7371 9000)
8 Hamilton Litestat’s Hartland CFX minimalist plate in satin stainless steel, £29 plus VAT (as before)
9 TLC’s Kilnwood Limed Oak Dimmer Switches, from £11.90 (as before)
10 RetroTouch’s touch and remote dimmer switch with black glass surround, £40.86-£51.08 (01293 230407)

Expert View: Switch and Socket Innovations

Rob O'Shea, Marketing Manager, TLC Direct (tlc-direct.co.uk)

“Back in the mists of time, a switch was a switch and a socket was a socket — and there was a good chance that both were made of white plastic. Nowadays there is a vast choice of decorative finishes and materials – including brushed steel, brass, chrome, oak or pewter – to match every type of decor.

“Ultra-slim flatplates are very popular at present and you can even specify them with ‘hidden’ fixing screws for the ultimate clean, contemporary finish. Add an infrared-controlled dimmer switch and you don’t even have to get out of your favourite chair to control the lights! The choice really is much wider than ever.”

All prices correct at time of publication

Further reading:

• Electrics: A Cost Guide
• A Guide to Electrics
• Electrical Sockets Explained