What Are Blank Wall Plates Used For? This Is Why They’re In Your House

You’ve seen them before. A smooth, featureless plastic or metal plate on a wall where a light switch or an outlet should be. It’s a common sight in many homes, from new constructions to century-old houses.

This simple object, the blank wall plate, often raises questions. Is it a mistake? A sign of an unfinished project? Or does it serve a hidden, important purpose? The truth is, these unassuming covers are a critical component of a safe and functional home electrical system.

What Exactly Is a Blank Wall Plate?

A blank wall plate, also known as a blank cover plate or a wall blank, is a cover designed to fit over a standard electrical box. Unlike regular wall plates, it has no openings for switches, outlets, dimmers, or data jacks.

Their sole purpose is to seal an electrical box that is either empty or contains only wire connections. They come in various sizes, from single-gang (the size of a single switch) to multi-gang versions, and are made from materials like plastic, nylon, or metal to match other fixtures in your home.

The #1 Reason for Blank Wall Plates: Safety and Code Compliance

The primary and most crucial reason for using a blank wall plate is safety and adherence to electrical codes. National and local building codes, such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the United States, mandate that all electrical junction boxes must be covered and remain accessible.

An uncovered electrical box exposes live wires, creating a severe risk of electric shock to anyone who might accidentally touch them, especially children and pets. Furthermore, exposed wires can spark, potentially igniting dust, insulation, or other nearby combustible materials, leading to a house fire. A simple blank plate securely covers these connections, preventing accidental contact and containing any potential sparks.

Common Scenarios: Why You Have Blank Plates in Your Home

While safety is the overarching reason, blank plates appear in homes for several specific, practical purposes. Understanding these scenarios can help you decode the story behind the blank covers in your own house.

Covering Unused Electrical Boxes

The most frequent use for a blank plate is to cover an electrical box where a device has been removed. Perhaps a light switch was relocated to a more convenient spot during a remodel, or an outlet was removed from a wall that now houses a built-in bookcase.

Instead of the complex and permanent step of removing the box and patching the drywall, a blank plate offers a safe, code-compliant, and reversible solution. It ensures the wiring inside remains protected and accessible for any future needs.

Protecting Future Access Points

During new construction or a major renovation, electricians often install wiring for future amenities. This is a smart practice known as “pre-wiring.” A box might be installed in the ceiling for a future fan, on a wall for a future TV, or in a home office for additional data ports.

Until those devices are installed, the boxes are covered with blank plates. This protects the wiring and makes it incredibly easy to add the new feature later without cutting into the drywall and fishing new wires. It’s a sign of a well-planned electrical layout, ready for future upgrades, whether it’s for a smart home device or an internet connection if you find your house doesn’t have a coaxial cable outlet where you need it.

Concealing Junction Boxes

Not every electrical box is meant to hold a device. Some are used simply as junction boxes, where electrical circuits are split to run in different directions. Inside these boxes, wires are connected using wire nuts to safely distribute power.

Since these connection points must remain accessible for future maintenance or troubleshooting, they cannot be buried behind drywall. A blank wall plate is the perfect solution, providing a clean look while ensuring an electrician can access the wiring when needed.

Hiding Abandoned Low-Voltage Systems

Older homes are often filled with the ghosts of past technology. Wires and boxes for old telephone jacks, intercom systems, central vacuum ports, or outdated security keypads are frequently left behind when these systems are abandoned.

Removing these systems entirely can require significant drywall repair. A much simpler and more cost-effective fix is to remove the old device and cover the opening with a blank wall plate, instantly updating the look of the wall with minimal effort.

Choosing the Right Blank Wall Plate for the Job

If you need to install a blank plate, choosing the correct one is simple but important. Making the right choice ensures a safe installation and a professional finish.

Match the Size and “Gang”

Electrical boxes come in standard sizes, referred to by “gangs.” A single-gang box holds one device (like a single switch or outlet). A double-gang box holds two, and so on. You must choose a blank plate that matches the gang-size of your box to ensure it covers the opening completely.

Consider Material and Style

The most common and affordable blank plates are made of standard plastic or more durable, shatter-resistant nylon. Metal plates, such as stainless steel or brass, are often used for greater durability or in areas with exposed conduit. You can also find them in various colors and decorative styles to match your home’s decor.

Specialty and Weatherproof Plates

For outdoor locations, basements, or other areas exposed to moisture, you must use a weatherproof blank cover. These plates include a gasket that creates a seal against the wall, protecting the wiring inside the box from water and corrosion.

Feature	Blank Wall Plate	Drywall Patch
Cost	Low (typically under $5)	Low to Moderate (drywall, tape, mud, primer, paint)
Installation Time	1-2 minutes	Several hours to days (including drying and painting)
Skill Level Required	Beginner (requires only a screwdriver)	Intermediate (requires taping, mudding, sanding, painting)
Access to Wiring	Excellent (simply remove screws)	None (box is permanently buried)
Code Compliance	Compliant for boxes with active or capped wiring	Major Violation if wiring is still in the box

How to Install a Blank Wall Plate: A 5-Minute DIY Guide

Installing a blank wall plate is one of the easiest and quickest DIY tasks you can perform. It requires only a screwdriver and a few minutes of your time.

Step 1: Shut Off the Power. Before you do anything else, go to your home’s circuit breaker panel and turn off the power to the circuit you will be working on. Use a voltage tester to confirm there is no power in the box.

Step 2: Inspect the Wires. Look inside the electrical box. If there are any bare wires, make sure they are securely capped with wire nuts. Gently fold the wires back into the box so they won’t be pinched by the cover.

Step 3: Align the Plate. Position the blank wall plate over the electrical box, ensuring that the screw holes on the plate line up with the threaded holes on the box.

Step 4: Secure the Screws. Insert the provided screws and tighten them with a screwdriver. Turn until the plate is snug against the wall, but do not overtighten, as this can crack the plate or damage the drywall.

Step 5: Restore the Power. Go back to your breaker panel and switch the circuit back on. Your box is now safely and securely covered.

The Critical Dangers of Improperly Covered Boxes

The alternative to using a blank plate is often where homeowners make dangerous mistakes. Understanding what not to do is just as important as knowing the correct procedure.

Never Drywall Over a Junction Box

It can be tempting to simply cover an unused box with drywall mud or a patch for a perfectly smooth wall. This is a serious fire hazard and a major electrical code violation. Buried wires can overheat with no way for heat to dissipate, and future homeowners could easily drill or nail into the hidden live wires, with catastrophic results.

Proper wall construction requires careful attention to what is behind the drywall. Whether you are dealing with wiring or considering how to handle insulation when framing over basement blanket insulation, safety and code compliance must always come first.

Avoid Flammable Makeshift Covers

Never use tape, cardboard, or other flammable materials to cover an electrical box. These materials offer no real protection and can easily ignite from a single spark, creating a hidden fire within your walls. Similarly, do not stuff the box with flammable materials like newspaper for insulation, as this is an extreme fire risk.

Creative and Unconventional Uses for Blank Plates

While their primary purpose is safety, blank wall plates can also serve as a clean slate for clever DIY solutions and home customizations, adding a layer of functionality that goes beyond simply covering a hole.

Mounting Base for Smart Home Devices

A blank plate provides a perfect, stable mounting surface for small smart home gadgets. Use adhesive strips to attach a smart button, temperature sensor, or a small hub like a Philips Hue Bridge directly onto a blank plate. This keeps your tech organized and off of cluttered tables, often right next to the light switches that control the associated devices.

Platform for Custom Switches and Ports

For the electronics hobbyist, a plastic blank plate is an ideal project board. It’s easy to drill and can be used to mount custom switches, buttons, small LED indicator lights, or specific ports for a DIY project, giving it a professional, wall-integrated finish.

A Discreet Valuables Stash

An empty electrical box can serve as a hidden compartment. This should only ever be attempted with a box that has absolutely no wiring in it and is completely disconnected from any circuit. By installing a new, empty box and covering it with a blank plate, you create a small, non-obvious hiding spot for emergency cash or small valuables.

The Unsung Hero of Your Walls

That blank plate on your wall is not an eyesore or an oversight. It is a deliberate and essential safety device. It signifies that your home’s electrical system is safe, code-compliant, and often, ready for the future.

From preventing electrical shocks and house fires to providing a gateway for future technology, the humble blank wall plate is a low-cost, high-impact component. The next time you see one, you’ll know it’s not just a blank space—it’s a sign of a safe, smart, and well-maintained home.