I recently picked up some Aqara Zigbee switches during Black Friday, and I must say, they’ve been a fantastic addition to my smart home setup. The quality feels solid, and the functionality is top-notch. However, I ran into a minor hiccup during installation that I thought I’d share in case anyone else encounters the same issue.
The problem? The wall plates. The Aqara switches come with a single gang wall plate, which means if you’re using a multi-gang setup (like 2 or 3 gang), you need to source your own wall plates. I quickly realized that standard screwless wall plates weren’t going to work because the Aqara switches have a thicker, plastic bracket compared to the thin metal ones most switches use. This caused a noticeable gap between the wall plate and the drywall, which looked a bit unprofessional.
I spent quite a bit of time checking big box stores in the US and even ordered a few wall plates from Amazon, but nothing seemed to fit perfectly. I was determined to find a solution without resorting to shaving down my gang box, as I’d heard some people do. After some research, I stumbled upon a brand called Wall Plates Plus that offers custom-sized plates with adjustable clearances. They were a bit pricier, but the fit was perfect, and the gap issue was completely resolved.
If you’re in a similar situation, I’d recommend checking out Wall Plates Plus or other brands that specialize in adjustable wall plates. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in the overall aesthetics of your smart home setup. Happy installing! 