Enlightening interiors with designer light switches trends

Why light switches deserve design attention

According to Jonathan Brown, Sales Director at Designer Light Switches, overlooking light switches during the early design phase is a common mistake when embarking on a new project. 

“The biggest problem represented by the choice of light switches is when they aren’t even thought of until ‘after’: when budgets are allocated (and often already spent), and decision fatigue is well and truly in play,” explains Jonathan.

“Light switches can complement the design aesthetic of a room, or they can be a jarring white plastic blemish on an otherwise beautifully considered colour and material palette… and we know what clients would prefer.”

The increasing attention to materials and detail within Australian interiors means switches are now part of the overall design story. 

Jonathan notes, “We think about the design and manufacturing quality of the switches specifically. Working from the lighting and electrical plans, we help customers and designers find a solution that complements the design, and is the best technical solution to their needs.”

This design-first approach has led to successful collaborations with architects, designers, and developers across Australia, with the team offering specification support from concept through to installation.

Top light switch trends in texture, finish and form

1. Quality: “We find the [all] metal solutions to be in high demand, as clients can feel and see the quality,” says Jonathan. “We are seeing more matte finishes and ‘quiet quality’ over flashy materials. Our new vintage satin gold plates are much more popular than the polished gold version, for example.”

2. Era: Matching the era of the property or interior style with the light switch. “Italian brand Vimar has ranges which are designed with the aesthetic style in mind,” says Jonathan. “Eikon Vintage’s classic lines and silhouettes work with everything from Victorian to mid-century spaces with ease, while the Eikon Flat range’s simplicity complements almost any modern space. The Eikon Tondo and Tactil are ‘edgier’ designs which work in spaces where every element is considered, and they stand out for all the right reasons.” This breadth allows specifiers to maintain visual cohesion across mixed-era renovations, as well as new-build designs.

3. Smart home integration: Smart homes are becoming more than an optional extra for high-end residential and commercial spaces. Vimar is an industry leader in home automation (with their own system, By-me, which is a KNX-based home automation system). Designer Light Switches Australia is highly experienced with control and home automation systems, working with designers, automation specialists, and installers throughout the project.

4. Customisation: For bespoke interiors, Designer Light Switches Australia offers customisation, a unique advantage for architects working on signature projects. “We can offer almost any tailored solution, from using your own marble, timber, or metals in the switch plates, to any other kind of custom design. Vimar has a dedicated team of artisans working only on custom projects from hotels to high-end commercial and residential developments.” This level of detail gives designers the power to incorporate switches into the architecture itself.

Project highlights: Victorian renovation and modern commercial

One example from the Designer Light Switch Australia portfolio is a renovation in Ballarat, Victoria, where a client restored a Victorian cottage with a bold contemporary extension. 

Jonathan explains, “They chose the Eikon Vintage switches, and with the assistance of our technical team, we were able to provide a solution which looked perfect in the original part of the house, and was equally stylish and appropriate in the modern extension – the switch plates linked the whole house, and the results were stunning.”

In another project, Designer Light Switches Australia was brought in late on a commercial project to solve a complex control challenge. “We were able to get a rush solution for them (which included a complex control plan), incorporating switches, DALI control, and powerpoints, and turned the whole project around in three weeks… and it looked like it had been planned from the start,” says Jonathan.

Built to last

Designer Light Switches focuses on enduring quality as its core sustainability principle. “When you have quality design and manufacture, you don’t end up with products looking dated, or broken soon after they are installed.” With all products manufactured in Italy by Vimar, quality and sustainability go hand in hand with the brand. 

“Backed by ADM Systems, Australia’s largest importer of domestic and commercial power supplies, Designer Light Systems brings both technical and logistical foresight to the project. “We love to be involved from an early stage (working from electrical/lighting plans) to ensure we can provide the best solution (and alternatives) for consideration while decisions are still being made,” says Jonathan. “We deliver all switches/plates in individually packaged lots (linked to electrical plans) to make installation as easy and painless as possible.”

This project-first approach delivers alignment of design intent, regulatory compliance and ease of installation.

“Lighting design can change a space and the way we experience it, but light switches are something which we touch and utilise constantly throughout our homes… so why shouldn’t they be beautiful?”

With the support and expertise of Designer Light Switches Australia, architects and designers can bring another layer of intention and beauty to every space. View the latest range on the website or contact them today on ArchiPro.