Antique Brass Switches & Sockets

The antique brass finish on switches and sockets

Antique brass is a darker, aged take on brass, with a warm brown-gold tone in place of a bright polished shine. It looks settled, not showy, so a switch plate sits quietly on the wall rather than drawing the eye. Every piece on this page shares that finish.

Antique brass describes the finish rather than the base material, so check the construction in the specifications if that matters to you. Most of the range is metal. Stainless steel is the base for many plates.

Screwless, square edge or flat antique brass plates

The plate style settles how much of the fixing you see and how far the plate stands from the wall. We stock screwless plates, which keep the fixing screws out of sight for a clean face. We also stock square edge plates, with a crisp outline, and flat plates that sit close to the wall.

A few have a rounded edge, which softens the outline. Whichever style you prefer, keep to it across a room, and note it when you buy in stages so later plates match.

Choosing antique brass light switches

Start with the gangs. A gang is a single switch on the plate, so count the lights you want to control from that spot. Most of the range is single gang. We stock double gang plates for a pair of lights. A few carry more gangs, for an open-plan room where a bank of lights is switched from the door.

We stock two-way switches, which let you control the same light from two places, such as the top and bottom of the stairs. For a long landing with a switch in the middle, we stock a few intermediate switches. Single pole and double pole switching are both here: single pole breaks the live only, while double pole breaks live and neutral together for fuller isolation. Some switches are toggles, with a small lever in place of a rocker.

Antique brass plates beyond the light switch

Some plates on this page are sockets, which lets the outlets in a room match too. A few sockets have USB charging built in, so a phone can charge without a plug-in adaptor. Several plates offer both USB-A and USB-C ports, which means either type of cable will fit. A few round pin sockets suit lamps: your electrician can wire them to a lighting circuit, putting floor lamps and table lamps on a wall switch.

We stock some dimmer switches, for setting light to the level a room needs. Check that your bulbs are marked dimmable, and ask your electrician to confirm the load suits the dimmer you choose. For fixed appliances, a few fused spurs give a dedicated fused connection. Several cooker switches control the circuit that feeds a cooker.

Antique brass grid switches and modules

A grid switch is a plate built to your own plan: you choose a faceplate, then fill it with the modules you need. We stock grid modules, and grid switching is a tidy way to control the supply to a run of appliances, such as the fridge, dishwasher and oven, from a single spot above the worktop.

Some switch covers are marked with the appliance they serve, such as the hob, washing machine, tumble dryer or boiler, so nobody has to guess which switch is which. We also stock pieces for commercial spaces. A few key switches are marked for testing emergency lighting, so only someone with the key can run the test.

Styling antique brass switches and sockets

Antique brass looks right when it echoes something else in the room, such as brass lighting, door handles or a mirror frame. Against white walls it adds warmth, and against deep green, navy or charcoal it looks richer still. We stock traditional designs that sit comfortably in period homes. Several plates have a black insert, which gives a crisper contrast in a darker scheme.

Antique brass varies in tone, so if you are matching fittings you already have, order a single plate first and see it beside them in daylight. We also stock options suited to a study, so the finish can carry on into the room where you work.

Fitting antique brass switches and sockets safely

We recommend a qualified electrician for fitting switches and sockets. They will check the wiring, the earth connection and the back box, and make sure the work meets current regulations. Before you order, compare the minimum back box depth in the specifications with the box already in your wall, as a shallow box may need swapping for a deeper box. When you replace a plate like for like, note the gangs and switching of the old plate so the replacement does the same job.

Treat antique brass gently when you clean it. Wipe plates with a soft, dry cloth, and never spray cleaner straight onto a switch or socket. Avoid metal polish and abrasive pads, as they can wear away an aged finish.