Tool Time Tuesday...Electrical Switch Plate Organizing

Switch it up with switch plates that is! Switch plates are the covers that you put on electrical outlets or light switches. They also come in "Blanks". They are the solid plates that you might use to cover the electrical boxes that aren't being used any more.

Well, look at these in what else...galvanized metal. However, they do come in white, black, off white and so many other kinds from metals to plastics.


and these were on sale too!!



Ok, can you hear my mind ticking away. Here we go...

This is a very old wooden box that came from my grandfather's woodworking shop. My dad had them and now they're mine. I left the finish just the way it was so many years ago.

I placed the switch plate on the front of the box and centered it.

Mark the screw holes for drilling.

Don't you love all the dinks in the box...I never met my grandfather. He passed away before I was born, so it's nice to have something of his.

Now it's time for my favorite tool!

Drill the 2 holes from the pencil marks.

Here are the 2 screws that come with the switch plate (flat tips). They worked fine for this box, but if you have trouble with another surface, you might want to use...

pointy (technical term) wood screws.

Now just screw the plate to the front of the box.

and here you have it all finished. See below for different ways to use them.

You could put your favorite herbs in the box and label the switch plate.

Look who helped me do the labeling...our old friend Mr. Dry Eraser. It rubs right off the switch plate when you want to change the contents of the container you have.

How about all my quilting friends out there!!! I know you have fat quarters, scraps, squares or strips that need organizing.

Remember the "Crap Baskets" on my stairs? Well, instead of the name badge holder for the names how about a switch plate!!

I used the dry erase pen here again just as an example, but you could paint the names on or use a stencil or vinyl lettering or even a picture of the person Mod Podged on!

How about in the mud room over each person's coat hook.

and last, but not least, on the front of a fabric covered box. I used the same method as the wooden box. Mark the holes, but I just used a pointy awl to pierce the fabric and the cardboard box. I screwed in the flat screw and it stayed, but you could use a little nut to secure it on the back.

I think I might find some nice lettering in the scrap booking section to label these for my recipes. Not sure yet what to put in there.

The top row is more covered boxes with the pipe straps that I used on another post. Missing 2 though off to the right! Off to Home Depot I guess!

The bottom row are the photo boxes that I painted black. They actually have photos in them. Now the only issue I have with them is the brassy gold label plate...they don't match the galvanized plates above. Never fear though, I see paint in their future.

So ladies, onto the electrical department and "switch" it up a little.

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Don't forget to look back at other fun Tool Time Tuesday ideas here.

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I'm linking this post to Just A Girl...Show and Share Day. Go take a peek for some unbelievable ideas.

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I'm also linking to CSI's Hardware Store Challenge...You have to make something from a hardware store! I know...hardware is my middle name. I've been doing hardware posts for over a year now!! This is perfect for me. I should have their blog button here, but I am inept at adding that to a post, so I put it in my side bar. I hope that's ok!

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Happy Tuesday,

~Karen~