The Adorable DIY That Can Make Your Light Switches Even More Functional

Picture this: you're sitting at home reading when all of a sudden the lights begin flickering on and off. However, instead of a modern-day ghost story, it's really the family member in the hall trying to flip the right switch on a multi-option console. Even if you're not afraid of the dark, being plunged into total darkness or struggling to find the right light in a dim room due to a confusing light switch isn't ideal, which is why this clever DIY might be the best idea you've ever tried. You can make your own vinyl stickers to indicate what switch serves which purpose, and they will fit into your aesthetic since you're in charge of the designs!

Label makers and the like are fine for pantry items or cleaning supplies, but when you take pride in your home designs, something as garish as printed text across your light switches can be off-putting. If your rooms feature rocker-style switches, this trick might just become your favorite DIY.

If you've lived in any home long enough, you probably know what light switch connects to the corresponding fixture. However, for anyone who just moved, is renting, or for guests who don't know the inner workings of your switches by heart, this adorable trick will shed some light on the problem. Using platforms like Canva or Vista Print, you can design your vinyl stickers to label your rocker light switches. There are free templates you can find on websites or across the Internet, and once you find the design, you can adjust the color and size to fit your needs. If your console is white or beige, using a similarly colored sticker will blend in while still helping to denote what light the switch is connected to. Similarly, using black for darker switches will keep the sticker from popping out too much.

Once you've created your designs, you can either order stickers to be made and shipped (Vista Print is one website that offers this) or you can purchase vinyl sticker paper from Amazon and make them at home. You can trim around the shapes to make them as unimposing as possible, then watch as your friends and family easily locate the light switch they want. Using glow in the dark stickers on your switches is also a great upgrade, and will help people find the switch they need even at night. You can find glow-in-the-dark vinyl printer paper on Amazon, too.

Sticking with easy shapes is best, especially for younger children. For example, if you have three or four rocker switches on one console, you could print a lamp, a ceiling fan, and a staircase to denote which switch belongs to which appliance or area. If you have several lights in one room, find differently shaped lamps and fixture templates that look similar to each one. It can be tricky to find a match for hallways or other areas, but this is where you can get creative and explore all the designs the internet has to offer. Once you've printed them, simply stick them on the switch!

While this DIY works well with rocker-style consoles, that doesn't mean it can't be used with other light switches. You can place the stickers on a custom wall plate or even directly on your walls if that suits your needs, although porous wall surfaces won't allow vinyl to adhere so aim for plastic plate covers or smooth walls. Not only will your guests and family members be thankful for the guides, but you might save a little money on your electric bill without all those test clicks to find the correct light.