• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Iekel Road Home
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY
  • Design
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    How To Change a Receptacle to Update a Room

    Published: Apr 13, 2020 · Modified: Mar 7, 2021 by Aly @ Iekel Road Home · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost ·

    83 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Change a receptacle in nine easy steps. I wanted to know how to change a receptacle so I had Greg sit in the other room and verbally instruct me on how to go about this process. I was able to change out our broken and outdated receptacle for a new one without any trouble. So I hope these steps help you as well!

    change a receptacle

    What you need to change a receptacle

    Proximity Tester (can do without, but strongly recommended)

    Screwdriver

    Wire Cutter and Stripper

    Linesman Pliers

    Receptacle (new or your choice)

    Electrical Tape

    Before you being to change a receptacle:

    Turn off power to the receptacle by locating the correct breaker in your electrical box.

    turn off power to outlet

    Step 1: Take faceplate off receptacle

    To remove faceplate you will need a simple flathead screwdriver. Ours was broken, so it just popped right off.

    change a receptacle

    Step 2: Test with proximity tester

    Test the receptacle to make sure there is no power coming in. To do this stick the proximity tester into one of the holes in the receptacle.

    change a receptacle

    Step 3: Remove screws holding receptacle in place

    Use a corresponding screwdriver to remove the screws holding the receptacle in place. You may even need to use a knife as sometimes paint can hold them in place to the wall.

    change a receptacle

    Step 4: Pull receptacle out of box

    Pull the receptacle out of the box to expose all the wires, giving yourself room to work.

    change a receptacle

    Step 5: Remove wire from side of receptacle

    Remove the wires by loosening the screws on each side of the receptacle. Spread the wires apart so you remember where they reattach.

    Step 6: Break off jumper tab * can be skipped

    In our case, the top receptacle is controlled by a light switch, which is what the red wire is for. So we had to break off the jumper tab that attached between the two gold screws. If this is not your situation, leave the jumper tab alone

    change a receptacle

    Step 7: Reconnect all wires to the appropriate places

    *Black wires belong to gold screws 

    *White wires belong to silver screws

    *Copper bare wire belongs to green screw

    change a receptacle

    Step 8: Tape around receptacle covering screws and wires

    Using electrical tape, tape around all wires and screws.

    change a receptacle

    Step 9: Put receptacle and plate cover back together

    Put everything back together using your corresponding screwdrivers.

    change a receptacle

    How change a receptacle to update your space

    • change a receptacle

    Before we had a decorative light switch plate and an off white receptacle plate that was broken.

    Now our faceplates just blend right into our wall, and you can hardly notice them, just the way it should be!

    Happy updating! This was my first time changing a receptacle and I can confidently say that I will be able to do it again in the future without any help! I hope this encourages you to try it for yourself 🙂

    More Home Updates

    How To Change a Light Switch to Update Your Space

    How To Change A Light Fixture for Beginners

    How To Install Cabinet Hardware: Before and After Laundry Room

    How To Update Brass Fireplace Insert with Spray Paint

    PIN IT FOR LATER

    « 5 Steps to Upcycle a Wreath for Spring
    How To Change a Light Switch to Update Your Space »
    83 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alexa

      April 16, 2020 at 10:29 am

      This is super helpful!!! Did not know how to do that I probably would have just left it - ha! Thank you!

      • Aly @ Iekel Road Home

        April 20, 2020 at 11:40 am

        Thank you, Alexa! I did not know either. Once Greg explained it all to me I thought, wow not so hard after all!

    2. Amy

      April 17, 2020 at 9:43 am

      It's always good to know the basics of how to do things like this! Thanks for laying it all out.

      • Aly @ Iekel Road Home

        April 20, 2020 at 11:42 am

        Thank you, Amy! My thoughts exactly!

    3. Anja

      April 17, 2020 at 6:53 pm

      What a helpful tutorial! This sounds so doable and makes a big difference for any room! Maybe I should try it out some time myself - even though my husband does a beautiful and perfect job with everything electrical 🙂

      • Aly @ Iekel Road Home

        April 20, 2020 at 11:41 am

        I would have normally just left it up to my husband too, as he takes care of everything electrical. But this time I thought I would give it a go-to see how hard it would be for us that no absolutely nothing about electrical. And you are right, totally doable!

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! We are Greg and Aly, DIY enthusiast, licensed plumber and graphic designer, updating our home one project at a time. Follow along for budget friendly DIY home decor ideas. 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • How to Update Old Wicker Furniture
    • How To Paint a Brick Fireplace Step by Step
    • How to Create a Home Library Living Room
    • Hamuq Mattress Review: Canadian Hybrid Mattress

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    More

    • DIY
    • Design

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Iekel Road Home

    83 shares