Matt Black Sockets & Switches

Matt black sockets and switches around the home

Every product on this page is finished in matt black, which reads as a calm, dark shape on the wall rather than catching the light like gloss. It stands out crisply against pale paint and sits back quietly on a dark wall. We stock matt black plug sockets, light switches, fused spurs and grid modules, so the same finish can run from room to room.

Beyond these, we stock a few cooker switches. Some plates are TV aerial outlets. A few are data sockets for a network cable. We also stock a few shaver sockets. Some sockets and switches are rated for outdoor use. Before fitting anything outside, check its IP rating on the product page.

Fingerprints and cleaning on matt black sockets

A matt finish scatters light rather than reflecting it, so it does not show smears the way gloss does. Greasy fingers can still leave faint shiny marks on a switch pressed day in, day out, and plates by the cooker or back door pick up grease fastest. Some plates have a textured finish, which disguises marks even better.

To clean a plate, wipe it with a soft, dry microfibre cloth, or a cloth barely dampened with water and a drop of washing-up liquid, then pat it dry. Never spray cleaner onto a switch or socket. Skip polish, abrasive pads and solvents, which can rub a matt surface up into shiny patches that are hard to undo.

Black or chrome inserts on matt black switches

The insert is the coloured part set into the plate: the rocker on a switch, or the face around the pin holes on a socket. We stock matt black plates with black inserts and with chrome inserts, and the choice changes the look noticeably.

A black insert keeps the whole plate a single, solid colour, the quietest choice in a dark scheme. A chrome insert picks out the rocker in bright metal, which ties in with chrome taps, handles or light fittings nearby. Check the insert colour on the product page before ordering a full set, so the switches and sockets in a room match.

Metal or plastic matt black switches

Most of our matt black sockets and switches are metal. A metal plate feels cool, solid and reassuringly weighty under the finger, which suits the switches you reach for constantly. Because metal conducts, the plate must be earthed, and a qualified electrician will make sure of that when fitting it.

We also stock polycarbonate and ABS options, which are lighter and naturally insulating. Choose metal for that solid feel, or plastic for a plate that does not conduct. If you mix metal and plastic in the same room, compare the finish described on the product pages, as sheen and texture can differ slightly.

USB and double matt black plug sockets

We stock matt black plug sockets with USB charging built in, so a phone or tablet can charge without its adaptor taking up a socket. Many have both USB-A and USB-C ports, covering older cables and current phones. Some offer USB-C ports only. Check the product page for charging output if you plan to charge a laptop.

A matt black double socket earns its place beside a bed, desk or worktop. Some double sockets also carry USB ports, leaving both outlets free. We stock single pole and double pole switching. Double pole cuts the live and the neutral together, so an appliance switched off at the socket is disconnected from both, while single pole cuts the live only.

Matching matt black switches across a room

For a tidy finish, pick a plate style and keep to it throughout the room. We stock screwless plates, where a clip-on front hides the fixing screws; rounded edge plates, which soften the outline; and flat plates, which sit slim against the wall. Check the plate style on the product page so a light switch and the socket beside it match.

We also stock two-way light switches, for a landing light worked from the top and bottom of the stairs, and grid modules for building your own switch plate. Some switch covers come marked for appliances such as the dishwasher or fridge. For softer lighting, we stock a few dimmer switches. If you plan to dim LED bulbs, check that they are dimmable and suit the dimmer.

Back box depth for matt black sockets

Start by finding out how deep the back box in your wall is. Plates need different amounts of room behind them, so confirm the minimum box depth on the product page. Anything with electronics behind the plate, such as a USB socket or a dimmer, can need more space than a plain switch, and an older shallow box may need swapping for something deeper.

We recommend a qualified electrician for fitting, since the work involves mains wiring and, with metal plates, a sound earth connection. They can measure the box and check the circuit before you order, so the plates fit the wall.