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UK Socket Spacers - Sizing & Fitting Guide
Everything you need to know about our socket spacers, from choosing the right depth to fitting one in five minutes.
What is a socket spacer?
A socket spacer is a thin plastic frame that sits behind your socket faceplate, between the faceplate and the wall. It hides marks, fills gaps, and gives a clean finish without you having to redecorate around the socket.
The most common reasons people fit them are:
- Replacing an old, large faceplate with a modern slim one and the new plate doesn't cover the old paint outline
- The plastered or tiled wall around the socket isn't flat, leaving an unsightly gap
- Matching a feature wall (tile, wood panelling, acoustic slat panels) and wanting a tidy edge around the socket
- The socket has been pulled forward to clear thick wallpaper, panelling or tile and now sits unevenly
Choosing the right size
Our spacers come in two faceplate sizes and three depths.
Single-gang or double-gang?
Single-gang spacers fit standard UK 86 mm x 86 mm faceplates (one socket or one switch). Screw hole spacing is 59 mm centre to centre.
Double-gang spacers fit 146 mm x 86 mm faceplates (two sockets side by side, or a 2-gang switch). Screw hole spacing is 120.6 mm centre to centre.
Match this to your existing faceplate.
Which depth - 10 mm, 15 mm or 20 mm?
Measure how far the wall is recessed behind your socket, or how much shadow the old faceplate left on the paintwork:
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10 mm - small step, around 5-10 mm. Ideal for trim work or correcting minor unevenness.
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15 mm - medium step, around 10-18 mm. The most popular size for typical repaint or tile-edge work, and for most acoustic slat panels.
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20 mm - large step, 18-25 mm. For deep recesses, thick acoustic panelling, or where panelling has built the wall out significantly. Also the usual choice for deeper smart switch modules.
If you're between sizes, go up rather than down - a slightly oversize spacer is invisible behind the faceplate, but a too-small one will show a gap.
Black, white or grey?
Most installations sit hidden behind the faceplate, so colour rarely matters visually. Choose to match your faceplate (white spacer behind a white plate, black spacer behind a metallic or dark plate, grey where you want it to disappear against a mid-tone wall) or your wall colour. All three finishes are stable and won't yellow.
Fitting a socket spacer
Important: Always isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before working on any socket. If you are not confident, ask a qualified electrician.
Tools you'll need
- Flat-blade or Phillips screwdriver (depending on your faceplate screws)
- Longer M3.5 socket screws, which you can add to your spacer order in 40 mm or 75 mm
- A voltage tester (best practice)
Step by step
- Switch off the circuit at the consumer unit and confirm the socket is dead with a voltage tester.
- Unscrew the existing faceplate and pull it forward gently. The wires can stay connected - you don't need to disconnect anything to fit a spacer.
- Slide the spacer over the faceplate so it sits flat against the wall, behind the faceplate.
- Refit the faceplate against the spacer. If your existing screws are too short, use longer M3.5 screws: 40 mm covers most 10 mm and 15 mm installs, and 75 mm is there for 20 mm spacers or deeper back boxes. You can add either length to your order, or buy them separately as a replacement screw pack.
- Tighten the screws gently - do not over-torque, the spacer is plastic and shouldn't be crushed.
- Restore the circuit at the consumer unit and test the socket.
Compatibility
Our spacers are designed for standard UK single-gang (86 mm x 86 mm) and double-gang (146 mm x 86 mm) faceplates. Tested compatible with: BG, MK, Click Scolmore, Schneider Lisse, Hager Sollysta, Crabtree Capital, Hamilton, Screwfix LAP, Wickes own brand and most other major UK brands. Curved-edge or oversized designer faceplates may not fit - send us a photo and the brand if you're unsure.
Materials & quality
Our spacers are made from ABS, a durable, heat-stable thermoplastic with good impact resistance. The finish is a clean matte texture in black, white or grey. Spacers will not crack, warp or yellow indoors and are designed to last the lifetime of the installation.
Frequently asked
Will it affect electrical safety?
No - the spacer is a decorative non-conductive frame behind the faceplate. It does not change the wiring or the back box. The faceplate still secures into the back box exactly as before, just with the spacer sandwiched between the faceplate and the wall.
Will I need longer screws?
For 10 mm spacers most existing screws will work. For 15 mm and 20 mm spacers you'll likely need longer M3.5 screws - see the fitting steps above.
Can I cut it down?
Yes - ABS cuts cleanly with a craft knife or a fine-tooth saw if you need to trim a corner around an obstruction.
Can I order a custom size?
Yes - email support@alchemycollectives.co.uk with your measurements and we'll quote a one-off bespoke run.
Do you offer trade pricing?
Yes - approved trade accounts get volume pricing across the range. See trade accounts for details.
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