You know that feeling when a room is almost there? The bed looks great. The walls are painted. There's a little shelf up. And yet… something's missing. It doesn't quite feel finished.
That's usually when someone comes across a light switch surround for the first time. And then they get it.
It's one of those things you'd never think to look for — but once you've seen it, you can't unsee it. That plain white plastic switch sitting in the middle of a beautifully themed nursery, looking wildly out of place. Enter the light switch surround. A small change. A big difference.
So, what exactly is a light switch surround?
A light switch surround is a decorative frame that sits around your existing light switch plate. It doesn't replace your switch. It doesn't require an electrician. It just sits neatly around the outside, transforming what was once a bit of an eyesore into something that actually adds to the room.
At Montrose Makers, ours are laser cut from either wood or acrylic, designed to fit standard UK light switches (the square ones you'll find in most UK homes). They come in a huge range of themes:
and loads more — so whether your little one is obsessed with tractors or unicorns, there's almost certainly a design that fits their world perfectly.
Why are they so popular right now?
In a word? Impact.
Parents are putting so much thought and care into their children's bedrooms and nurseries these days, and rightly so. A child's room is their space — a place to play, rest, and feel completely at home. Every little detail matters.
But not everyone has the budget (or the time, or the energy) for a full room makeover. Light switch surrounds hit a sweet spot: they're quick to buy, simple to install, and cost less than a nice bunch of flowers. Yet the impact is disproportionately big. It's the kind of thing that pulls a room together in a way that's hard to explain until you see it.
We hear it all the time from customers: "I didn't expect to love it this much." The kids tend to react even better — there's something about seeing their favourite theme on something as ordinary as a light switch that absolutely makes their day. 😊
Wood or acrylic — which one's right for you?
We offer our surrounds in two materials, and the honest answer is: neither is wrong.
Wooden surrounds come in six finishes: plain MDF (which you can paint to match your walls — genius if you've got a specific colour scheme going on), painted white MDF, painted black MDF, maple, oak, and black walnut. They have a lovely natural warmth to them and look gorgeous in more neutral, earthy-toned rooms. Prices start from £6.95.
Acrylic surrounds are where things get really fun. Available in hundreds of designs and themes, they're bold, bright, and made to be noticed. If your child has a theme going on in their room, this is the one to go for. All acrylic surrounds are £11.95.
Not sure what colour will work? We offer free acrylic and wood samples — just get in touch and we'll pop some in the post so you can see them in your room before you commit.
How do you fit one?
This is the part that surprises most people. There's no drilling. No screwdrivers. No DIY YouTube rabbit hole.
We recommend 3M Command Strips — the same strips people use for hanging pictures without damaging walls. Cut a couple into smaller pieces, stick them to the back of the surround, gently press it into place around your switch plate, and you're done. Takes about two minutes. Removable when needed. No marks on the wall.
The one thing to double-check before buying: our surrounds are designed to fit standard UK square switch plates (8.6 x 8.6cm). If you've got a chrome or metal-finish switch, it might run slightly larger, so it's worth measuring yours before ordering. If you're not sure, just drop us a message — we're always happy to help.
Who are they for?
Honestly? They work for all sorts of situations:
- A nursery that's almost there but needs that last little something
- A bedroom refresh for a child who's outgrown their old theme
- A gift for a new baby or a child moving into their first big-kid room
- A small, affordable treat when you want to add something special without a big spend
They're also genuinely lovely gifts. Not too expensive, thoughtful, and a little bit different — exactly what you want when you're buying for a new parent or a child who already has plenty of toys.
The finishing touch your room has been waiting for
We've made thousands of light switch surrounds over the years, and the reaction is almost always the same: a little bit of surprise at how much difference such a small thing makes.
If you've been putting the finishing touches on a nursery or a kid's room and you're looking for that last piece of the puzzle — this might just be it.
Browse our full range of light switch surrounds — wooden and acrylic, loads of themes, and free UK delivery on orders over £40.
