How to Choose a Plate Style
Plate style refers to the shape, edge detail, and profile of a socket or switch — independent of finish. The same antique brass finish, for example, can come in a Georgian, Victorian, or Flat plate, each giving a completely different look. Here's how each style differs, and which suits which properties and interiors.
Georgian
The Georgian plate has a rope-edge border — a twisted, decorative detail running around the perimeter. It suits properties from the mid-1700s through to the early Victorian era, particularly Georgian and Regency townhouses. See our Georgian style guide for full details.
Victorian
The Victorian plate has a stepped edge — a flat, geometric profile that reflects the pressed brass fittings common in Victorian properties. It suits properties from the mid-1800s onwards, including Edwardian homes. See our Victorian style guide for full details.
Victorian Cast
Victorian Cast shares the same stepped-edge profile as the standard Victorian plate, but it's cast rather than pressed, giving it more weight and a sharper, more precisely defined edge. It suits the same properties as the standard Victorian plate, for buyers who want a heavier, more substantial feel.
Georgian vs Victorian — which do I need?
This comes down to when your property was built. Georgian's rope edge suits the mid-1700s to early Victorian era. Victorian's stepped edge suits the mid-1800s onwards. Using the wrong one for the period is a common mistake — a Victorian stepped-edge plate in a genuinely Georgian townhouse can look anachronistic, even in an otherwise appropriate finish.
Deco
The Deco plate is a contemporary, versatile design that works equally well in modern and traditional settings, making it one of the more flexible styles in the range. Our Mixed Brass variant of the Deco plate has a polished brass surround with a satin brass front, giving a distinctive two-tone look within the same plate.
Contour
The Contour plate has a raised profile with rounded corners, giving it a slightly more substantial, tactile feel than a flat plate without moving into traditional stepped-edge or rope-edge territory. It suits contemporary interiors that still want a plate with some visual presence, rather than a completely flush finish.
Flat
The Flat plate is a clean, frameless design with no visible border or edge detail. It's the plate style of choice for minimalist and contemporary interiors, where the aim is for the plate to sit as unobtrusively as possible against the wall.
Spectrum
The Spectrum plate is an oversized, screwless design with rounded, bevelled edges. It's larger than our other plate styles and gives a distinctive, substantial look, particularly effective in larger rooms or where a plate is intended to be a genuine design feature rather than something that simply blends in.
Screwless plates — Lexus and Retrotouch
Screwless plates remove all visible fixings, giving the cleanest possible look. This isn't a plate shape in the same sense as the others — it's a fitting method available on specific ranges. Our Lexus range offers screwless fitting in brushed steel and antique brass. Our Retrotouch range offers screwless fitting in white, and in our Brushed Bronze finish.
How do I choose between plate styles?
Start with your property's period, if it has one. Georgian or Victorian properties are best served by the matching traditional plate style, in a sympathetic finish such as antique brass or bronze. For contemporary properties or renovations, Flat, Contour, or Deco give you more flexibility, and Spectrum or a screwless range suit interiors where the plate itself is meant to be a considered design choice.
Once you've chosen a plate style, it's worth checking which finishes are actually available in it — not every finish is available in every plate style, so it's worth confirming availability before finalising a specification across a whole property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a plate style and a finish?
Finish refers to the material and colour of the plate — antique brass, matt black, chrome, and so on. Plate style refers to the shape and edge detail — Georgian, Victorian, Flat, and so on. The two are chosen independently; the same finish is typically available across several plate styles.
What's the difference between Georgian and Victorian plates?
Georgian has a rope-edge border and suits properties from the mid-1700s to the early Victorian era. Victorian has a stepped edge and suits properties from the mid-1800s onwards, including Edwardian homes.
What is a screwless plate?
A screwless plate has no visible fixing screws, giving the cleanest possible look. It's available on our Lexus range (brushed steel and antique brass) and our Retrotouch range (white and Brushed Bronze).
Which plate style is best for a contemporary interior?
Flat, Contour, and Deco are the most versatile choices for contemporary interiors. Spectrum or one of our screwless ranges suit interiors where the plate is intended as a deliberate design feature.
Related guides: Georgian style guide, Victorian style guide, and sockets and switches for a period property.