Wood Switch Plates
& Outlet Covers

Custom laser-cut hardwood switch plates and outlet covers. Made to order in Massachusetts.

What We Make

Every plate is cut to order on our laser. Standard configurations ship in 1–2 weeks. Custom configurations just need a message.

Wood Switch & Outlet Plates

Laser-cut from real hardwood — walnut, cherry, maple, oak, and more. Fits standard US wall plates. Decorative overlay style; installs over your existing plate or directly with standard screws.

Shop on Etsy →

Acrylic Alternatives

Not a wood person? We also cut plates from clear, frosted, or colored acrylic. Great for modern interiors or anywhere you want a translucent look. Same sizes, same cut quality.

Shop on Etsy →

Backing Plates

Need to cover where the outlet box sits proud of the wall? Our backing plates are cut to bridge the gap cleanly. Available in standard sizes or custom dimensions. Made of 1/8" material that sticks right onto your VARO Industries plates.

Shop on Etsy →

Decorative Screws

The finishing touch. Brass-slot or antique-style decorative screws that complement the wood grain instead of fighting it. Sold in sets of 8, or also included with your switch plate order.

Shop on Etsy →

Wood Species

All wood is real hardwood — no veneer, no printed faux-grain. Each species behaves differently on the laser, so cut quality and edge color vary slightly by species.

Walnut wood grain
Walnut
Dark Chocolate Brown

Rich, dark grain with natural variation. The premium choice — looks great in modern, mid-century, and rustic spaces alike.

Cherry wood grain
Cherry
Warm Reddish-Brown

Elegant warm tone that deepens and reddens with age. Fine grain, smooth surface. Pairs well with traditional and transitional interiors.

Maple wood grain
Maple
Light Creamy Blonde

Clean, light tone with subtle grain. Works well in bright spaces or modern interiors. Takes engraving crisply for high-contrast designs.

Mahogany wood grain
Mahogany
Deep Reddish-Brown

Classic cabinetry wood with a straight, fine grain. Deep red-brown tones and a naturally smooth surface. Rich and formal without being heavy.

Sapele wood grain
Sapele
Ribbon-Striped Reddish

African hardwood with a striking interlocked grain that produces a ribbon-stripe figure. Similar tones to mahogany with more visual complexity.

Red Oak wood grain
Red Oak
Medium, Prominent Grain

Classic hardwood with bold, open grain. Warm amber tone. A great match if your existing trim or floors are oak — blends right in.

White Oak wood grain
White Oak
Cooler, Grayish-Brown

Similar grain pattern to red oak but with a cooler, taupe-gray cast. Trending in contemporary interiors. Pairs well with matte black hardware.

Knotty Pine wood grain
Knotty Pine
Light, Rustic, Knotted

Light blonde tone with prominent knots and swirling grain. Distinctive rustic character — right at home in cabins, farmhouses, or any space that leans country.

Bamboo grain
Bamboo
Light, Fine-Grained

Technically a grass, but cuts like a hardwood. Light, consistent grain, eco-friendly sourcing. Good pick for natural or biophilic design schemes.

MDF smooth surface
MDF / Paintable
Neutral, Smooth Surface

No wood grain — perfect if you want to paint to match your wall color exactly. Smooth, consistent surface holds paint well.

Device Types

We cut openings to fit all standard US device configurations. If you need something not listed, send a message — we can cut almost anything.

Toggle Switch

Classic flip-style light switch. Single or multi-gang configurations available.

Decora / Rocker

Large paddle-style switches. The most common modern switch type.

Duplex Outlet

Standard two-plug outlet. The most-ordered configuration by far.

Quad Outlet (2-Gang Duplex)

Two side-by-side duplex outlets — four receptacles total. Great for workbenches, entertainment centers, and kitchen counters.

RESET TEST

GFCI Outlet

Ground fault outlet with TEST/RESET buttons. Wider opening to clear the buttons.

USB-A C

USB Outlet

Fit modern USB-A or USB-C charging outlets. Opening sized for the wider face plate.

RJ-45 Ethernet

Keystone or pass-through ethernet ports. Clean finish for home office or media room wiring.

Coaxial

Cable TV / coax F-connector plates. Single or dual port openings.

Blank

No opening — covers unused boxes, junction boxes, or decommissioned outlets cleanly.

Rotary Dimmer

Small square opening for the knob shaft of a rotary dimmer. Uses standard toggle gang spacing.

Standard Plate Sizes

All standard switch plates are 4‑1/2″ tall (4.5″ / 114.3 mm) and approximately 5/32″ deep (0.16″ / 4.0 mm). Heights are consistent across all gangs; width grows with each additional device position.

Standard Plate Widths by Gang Count

Gangs Industry Standard Width VARO Width Width (mm)
1-gang2‑3/4″ (2.75″)2‑3/4″ (2.75″)69.9 mm
2-gang4‑9/16″ (4.5625″)4‑5/8″ (4.625″)117.5 mm
3-gang6‑3/8″ (6.375″)6‑3/8″ (6.375″)161.8 mm
4-gang8‑3/16″ (8.1875″)8‑3/16″ (8.1875″)208.0 mm
5-gang10″ (10.0″)10″ (10.0″)254.0 mm
6-gang11‑13/16″ (11.8125″)11‑13/16″ (11.8125″)300.0 mm

Note: Our 2-gang plates measure 4‑5/8″ wide — 1/16″ wider than the common industry standard of 4‑9/16″. Both will cover a standard 2-gang electrical box. If you are replacing an existing plate and the fit is critical, measure your current plate before ordering.

Device Opening Sizes

Device Type Opening Width Opening Height Notes
Toggle switch13/32″ (0.406″)15/16″ (0.937″)Classic flip-style switch
Decora / Rocker / GFCI / Rectangular outlet1‑5/16″ (1.312″)2‑5/8″ (2.625″)All “wide” modern devices use this cutout
Duplex outlet (each slot)1‑11/32″ (1.343″) widest1‑1/8″ (1.125″)Two per gang; slots spaced 1‑17/32″ center-to-center
Despard29/32″ (0.906″) widest11/16″ (0.687″)Stacked tandem/interchangeable devices
Push button (pair)9/16″ eachSpaced 15/16″ center-to-center
RJ-45 / Ethernet keystone15 mm (0.591″)21 mm (0.827″)Accepts standard keystone snap-in insert
Coaxial cable (F-type)5/8″ diameter round (0.625″)Round hole; F-connector passes through
Rotary dimmerapprox. 1‑3/16″ diameter roundRound opening for knob shaft; toggle gang spacing

Gang-to-Gang Spacing

Device openings are spaced 1‑13/16″ apart, center to center, from one gang to the next — this is standard across all manufacturers.

Screws & Hardware

All North American switch plates mount using 6-32 machine screws (thread size #6, 32 threads per inch). Screw length and hole spacing vary by device type:

Device Type Screw Hole Spacing (center-to-center) Standard Screw Length
Toggle, single round outlet, push button2‑3/8″1/2″
Decora / Rocker, GFI/GFCI, Despard3‑13/16″5/16″
Blank, cable/phone/low-voltage (new style)3‑9/32″1/2″
Duplex outletCenter-mounted (single hole)1/2″

Screw holes are 5/16″ across at the top, tapering to 3/16″ at the bottom — this keyhole shape allows plates to hang on the screw before tightening.

Our decorative outlet screws use the same 6-32 thread and are designed to be a drop-in replacement for the standard slotted screws that come with your devices. They add a finished, cohesive look that inexpensive screws can't provide.

How to Order

Each plate is made to order. Here's how to get exactly what you need.

  1. Choose your configuration — Select the listing that matches your gang count (1-gang, 2-gang, etc.) and device type (toggle, Decora/rocker, duplex outlet, GFCI, RJ-45, coaxial, etc.).
  2. Select your wood species — Choose from walnut, cherry, maple, mahogany, sapele, red oak, white oak, knotty pine, bamboo, or plain MDF. Each species has a unique grain and character — see the wood species section for details.
  3. Specify your screw finish — Decorative screws are included with every order. Leave a note at checkout with your preferred finish: antique brass, black, chrome/silver, dark brown, white, or ivory. Antique brass is the default if no preference is noted.
  4. Add any special notes — Need a specific quantity, a mix of configurations, or custom engraving? Message us before or after ordering and we'll work it out.

Questions before you buy? Send us a message — we're happy to help you find the right combination for your space.

Installation & Care

Installation

Turn off power at the breaker before removing your existing plate and installing the new one. VARO plates install just like any standard switch or outlet cover — no special tools or wiring required. Use your existing screws, or use the decorative screws included with your order.

Care

Once installed, dust or wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners or soaking the wood — moisture is the main enemy of any wood finish. The pre-finished surface holds up well to normal use; if the finish becomes dull over time, a light coat of furniture wax can restore the look.

Frequently Asked Questions

A gang is just the number of device openings side by side on a single plate. A 1-gang plate covers one switch or outlet. A 2-gang covers two side by side. And so on up to however many fit on your wall. When you order, count the number of switches or outlets your plate needs to cover — that's your gang count.

Look at your existing switch or outlet. If it's a small flip lever, that's a toggle. If it's a wide, flat paddle, that's a Decora/rocker. If it has TEST/RESET buttons, that's a GFCI. If it has two sets of plug slots, that's a duplex outlet. Match the cover opening to the device — not to the box or the old plate.

Yes. Our plates are sized to standard single-gang and multi-gang electrical boxes. The screw hole spacing follows NEMA standards used by all major device manufacturers (Leviton, Lutron, Eaton, Pass & Seymour, etc.).

Yes. These are decorative overlay plates — they mount on top of or in place of a standard plastic wall plate and attach with the same screws. The wood does not come into direct contact with any electrical components. Standard screw hole placement matches US electrical box specs. As with any wall plate, installation should be done with the circuit breaker off.

With caveats. Wood and sustained moisture don't mix well — we don't recommend wood plates directly above a sink or in a shower surround. That said, most kitchen and bathroom outlet locations are fine. If you're concerned, acrylic is the better choice for high-humidity zones.

Standard thickness is approximately 1/8″ (3mm). This is thin enough to sit flush with most outlet box covers and trim, but thick enough to feel substantial — not flimsy. If your installation requires a different thickness (thinner for tight trim fits, thicker for visual weight), ask us and we'll see what we can do.

Two options: send us a message through Etsy on any listing, or use the contact form on this site. Tell us the gang count, which device openings you need (toggle, decora, duplex outlet, etc.), and your wood species preference. If you have a sketch or a photo of the space, that helps too. We'll confirm the configuration and quote a price before cutting anything.

Yes. We have a laser in the shop, so engraving is a natural add-on. Room labels ("Kitchen", "Studio", "Office"), house numbers, logos, decorative patterns — all fair game. Send us what you want engraved and we'll fit it into the design. Engraving is typically a small upcharge depending on complexity.

These are made to order, not pulled from a shelf. Standard configurations (species in stock, common device types) typically ship in 1–2 weeks. Custom configurations, engraving, or uncommon species may add a few days. If you have a hard deadline, let us know upfront and we'll tell you if it's doable.

Wood switch plates are decorative covers, not structural electrical components. They serve the same function as plastic or metal plates — covering the junction box opening — and are used safely in homes across the country. They carry no electrical load and do not contact live wiring when installed correctly.

Real Wood. Real Craft.

Every plate is cut and finished here in the shop. No drop-shipping, no mass production. If you can imagine it, we can probably cut it.