Most home upgrades require contractors, lead times, budgets, and decisions that need to be made weeks before anything changes. This one requires a screwdriver.
Replacing a switch plate cover is the rare home improvement that delivers an immediate, visible result with no professional help, no tools beyond what's already in a kitchen drawer, and no disruption to your day.
Here's exactly how to do it.
What You'll Need
- A flathead or Phillips screwdriver — whichever matches the screws on your current plate
- Your new Aure cover plate
- Two minutes of uninterrupted focus
That's the entire list.
Step One: Turn Off the Power (Optional but Recommended)
A cover plate replacement doesn't involve touching any wiring. You're removing a decorative plate and replacing it with another. That said, turning off the circuit at the breaker before you start is good practice — particularly if you're working near an outlet rather than a switch.
If you're replacing a switch plate only, the risk is minimal. If you're replacing an outlet cover, turn the power off.
Step Two: Remove the Existing Plate
Most standard switch plates are held in place by one or two screws in the center of the plate. Unscrew them — they're typically Phillips head — and the plate will come free from the wall.
Set the screws aside. You won't need them for the Aure plate, which comes with its own hardware.
Step Three: Position the New Plate
Hold the Aure cover plate against the wall, aligning the screw hole with the center of the switch or outlet box beneath. The plate should sit flush against the wall surface.
If your wall has texture or the existing paint has built up around the old plate, you may see a slight outline where the previous plate sat. This is common and typically disappears once the new plate is in place — Aure plates are designed with clean edges that cover the standard installation area.
Step Four: Secure the Plate
Using the screws included with your Aure plate, secure the plate to the wall. Hand-tighten first to confirm alignment, then snug the screws with the screwdriver. Do not overtighten — brass is a softer metal and the plate should sit firmly without the screw head biting into the surface.
That's it. The plate is installed.
Step Five: Step Back
This is the part that surprises most people. The difference between a plastic switch plate and a solid brass architectural plate isn't subtle once you see them side by side — or rather, once you see the new one where the old one used to be.
The wall looks different. More considered. More finished. The effect is disproportionate to the effort involved.
A Note on Existing Switches and Outlets
A cover plate replacement works with your existing switches and outlets. You don't need to replace the electrical components — only the decorative plate that sits over them. This means the upgrade is purely cosmetic and requires no electrical work whatsoever.
If you later decide to upgrade to a full Aure switch or outlet, the process is more involved and requires a qualified electrician. But the cover plate alone delivers a significant visual result and works as a standalone upgrade. Shop cover plates
Where to Start
If you're upgrading one room at a time, start where the impact will be most immediate:
- The entryway — the first thing you and your guests see
- The living room — the most used and most visible space
- The kitchen — where cover plates are most frequently touched and most closely examined
From there, the rest of the house tends to follow. Once one room has an Aure plate, the plastic in the next room becomes harder to ignore. The Renovation Details Most People Overlook (And Regret) Shop all hardware
Common Questions
Will an Aure cover plate fit my existing switch or outlet? Aure cover plates are designed to fit standard US electrical boxes — the same boxes that your current plates are attached to. In the vast majority of installations they will fit directly.
Do I need any special tools? No. A standard Phillips or flathead screwdriver is all that's required.
Can I replace outlet covers the same way? Yes — the process is identical. Turn off the power to the outlet first, unscrew the existing plate, and replace with the Aure cover plate.
What if my walls have been painted around the existing plate? This is common. The new plate will cover the standard installation area. If the paint line extends beyond the new plate's footprint — which is rare with standard plates — a small amount of touch-up paint resolves it.
Final Thought
Most home improvements ask something significant of you — time, money, disruption, decisions. This one asks for five minutes and a screwdriver.
The result is immediate, permanent, and visible every time you walk into the room. That's a return on investment that's genuinely hard to match.
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