The Great Debate: To Paint or Not to Paint Behind My Fridge & Light Switches

Is it really necessary to paint parts of the wall no one will see? After all, you don’t often move your fridge around, nor do you pay much attention to how outlets and light switches look. But the short answer is yes, you'll want to paint behind these objects to match your interior house paint .

If you’re still on the fence, read on to learn when it’s necessary to paint behind your fridge and light switches and how to do it. 

Situations Where It Is Not Necessary to Paint Them

If moving your fridge or removing light switch covers presents any danger or damage, then it’s not necessary to paint behind these areas.

You might also be interested in painting behind your fridge and other appliances but are unsure how to do so, or simply think it’s a waste of time. In that case, it's best to call professional painting contractors who can safely—and easily—get the job done in your stead.

Situations Where You Would Want to Paint Them 

You have just finished painting your walls, and the interior house paint looks great! At this point, we recommend you paint behind your stationary appliances if you feel safe doing so.

One of the first benefits is added protection for your walls. Paint forms a barrier that can help prevent moisture and heat damage. Because areas behind the fridge tend to get hot and hold moisture, painting in that area will protect against mold and any additional damage to your walls. 

Is it worth the time to place strategic pieces of tape over the light switch and paint as carefully as possible around the cover? Surely not—that’s why painting behind light switch plates is the best recourse. It’s easier to cover up patches of drywall, and you’ll be saving yourself some time by simply unscrewing the plates!

The second benefit of painting these areas is the ability to purchase new items in the future without worrying about a large swathe of your wall being bare. One day you might buy a new fridge that might differ in size, so if you want to avoid mismatched walls, it is best to paint the entire area.

Lastly, the paint behind your appliances won't be exposed to sunlight. Because of this, it better holds the original paint color. If you decide to repaint your room in the same color, you can reference these areas to get the exact idea for color matching. 

How to Paint Them

Painting behind your fridge and light switches requires the same patience and precision as any type of wall painting —even if these areas tend to be hidden from view! You may also need assistance with moving your appliances to the center of the room to prevent potential injuries.

When it comes to light switches, it only takes a few seconds to unscrew the plates and get the job done. You will need to use a smaller paintbrush and apply multiple coats. Wait a few hours for the paint to dry before reinstalling switch plates—you don’t want them sticking to wet paint!

Hire a Painting Contractor Today!

For 70 years the experts at Jacobsen Brothers Painting have been helping homeowners in the Boulder area bring their visions to life. It begins with our free in-home estimate, where we'll then proceed with a detailed proposal. We offer anything from standard paint jobs to finishing touches. 

If you're interested in working together to complete your next painting project, give us a call at 303-449-3249 or fill out our online form .