I just bought my first house, and while it's awesome to have so many outlets, I'm not a fan of the almond color they all come in. I found this product that has white plates (you can check it out here: https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Hampton-Bay-ColorCap-1-Gang-Duplex-Outlet-Wall-Plate-White-4-Pack-WP-CC-4WHB/322929248). Is this a good long-term solution, or should I consider replacing the outlets entirely?
3 Answers
Replacing your almond outlets is pretty easy and a good DIY project! There are tons of YouTube videos that can guide you through it. Plus, swapping for USB combo outlets could be a fun upgrade too. I added one with a nightlight in my hallway and it’s super handy!
Right? Outlets are so cheap! I couldn’t believe it when I replaced a few in my house. Most of my outlets were still working fine, but swapping out the worn ones to prevent issues is definitely worth it.
If your outlets are holding plugs securely and aren’t visibly damaged, you’re probably good for now. Just be sure to replace any that don’t hold cords well—especially if you have kids around. I ended up upgrading all mine to tamper-resistant models for safety, which turned out to be a smart move!
Those plastic covers might not let plugs go in all the way. It should work fine with longer plugs, but smaller ones might get a little loose—especially if you have something plugged in that gets moved a lot, like by the vacuum. So I’d test them out first! If you notice any issues with connection, it might be better to just replace the outlets altogether, especially in high-traffic areas.
Yeah, I hear you! I’ve already switched out some outlets, and they’re not too hard to manage. I’ve done a few rooms, so pacing it out is definitely an option! But I’m also iffy about USB outlets—some are still using the older USB-B, which feels outdated.