Brass Light Switches

Polished, antique or brushed brass switches

We stock polished, antique and brushed brass, and the shade you pick sets the tone for the room. Polished brass has a bright, mirror-like shine that catches the light, so it suits period hallways and deep paint colours. Antique brass is darker and more mellow, with an aged tone that sits well beside wooden floors and panelled doors. Brushed brass has a fine grain and a soft, low sheen, a good middle ground for modern kitchens that mix brass with black, grey or green. If fingerprints bother you, a brushed or antique finish hides them better than a mirror shine.

Flat, screwless or square-edge brass switch plates

The plate matters as much as the finish. Flat plates are slim and simple and sit close to the wall, which keeps a modern room calm. Screwless plates hide their fixing screws for a cleaner face, a tidy choice for a hallway. Square-edge plates have crisp, squared edges that give the switch a sharper outline, which suits traditional interiors well. We also stock a few plates with rounded edges. To match the switches in a room exactly, choose the finish and plate style together, then keep both the same.

Gangs and two-way brass light switches

A gang is a single switch on the plate, so match the number of gangs to the lights or circuits you want to control from that spot. Most of our brass switches are single-gang, the natural choice beside a door that controls one light. We also stock two-gang, three-gang and four-gang plates for kitchens, open-plan rooms and landings. A few larger plates suit bigger rooms.

Most of our range is also two-way, so you can control the same light from either end of a hallway or the top and bottom of the stairs. A two-way switch can be wired as a simple on and off switch too, which makes it the flexible choice if you are unsure. For a third switching point, such as on a long landing, your electrician adds an intermediate switch between the two-way switches. We stock a few intermediate switches as well.

Brass dimmer and toggle switches

We stock brass dimmer switches, so you can soften the lights in a living room or bedroom. Some come as a dimmer plate with a matching cap. A few decorative dimmer caps are sold on their own. Before you order, make sure your bulbs are marked dimmable and check the dimmer's minimum and maximum load. LED bulbs draw far less power than filament bulbs, so if their combined load falls below that minimum, the lights may flicker. Some of our dimmers give an LED load in their details, and your electrician can confirm the match.

Toggle switches have a small lever that flicks up and down, a period detail that suits Victorian and Edwardian homes and industrial-style kitchens. The lever is easy to find in the dark. We stock toggle switches in polished, antique and brushed brass, mostly two-way.

Brass switches for fans and appliances

Alongside light switches, we stock double-pole switches, which break both live and neutral. Your electrician may fit one for a water heater or a kitchen appliance. Some carry a higher rating than a standard lighting switch for that load. We also stock some fan isolator switches, which let an electrician cut power to an extractor fan safely for servicing. A few switch covers are marked for appliances such as a dishwasher, washing machine or cooker hood, so a row of switches stays easy to read. Several designs suit commercial settings, including a key card switch.

Styling brass light switches room by room

We stock both modern and traditional designs, for period and contemporary homes alike. Brass looks warm against cream and off-white walls and richer still beside deep navy, forest green or charcoal. Match the shade to the metalwork already in the room, such as door handles, cabinet knobs and light fittings, or pair antique brass with dark wood for a softer, older feel.

Where switches are seen together, such as down a hallway and up the stairs, keep the same finish and plate style so the run looks considered. Rooms with their own character can take a different shade, as long as the switch matches the metal near it.

Fitting and cleaning brass light switches

Because light switches connect to mains wiring, we recommend having a qualified electrician fit them. Most of our switches have metal plates, which should be earthed, and your electrician can confirm the switch suits your circuit. Where the product details give a minimum mounting box depth, compare it with your back box before you order, especially for a dimmer, as a shallow box may need replacing.

To look after the finish, wipe the plate with a soft cloth that is dry or barely damp, and buff it dry afterwards. Avoid abrasive pads, bleach and metal polish, which can dull or wear through a brass finish, and never spray cleaner directly onto a switch.