Convert two gang wall socket to one gang

[pcdj]

I'm doing a bit of redecorating in my living room and need to make the right half of a two gang wall socket "disappear" - preferably flush to the wall.

I'm thinking I can either pull out the existing pattress and reposition the entire two gang unit half-a-box-width to the left, pull out the existing pattress and replace with a single gang unit, or somehow replace the two gang faceplate with a one gang (on the left half), and blank out the right half - leaving it in situ.

As I'd prefer not to have the hassle of cutting out the existing pattress, moving it/replacing it, and making good, does a lower effort solution to this problem exist?

 

[JP_]

A year ago I'd have said get a sparky in, but after changing my own sockets (and rewiring some rooms) I'd say, take out the backbox, fill in the other half, get a single backbox and make good.

 

[ericmark]

With grid sockets you can have a socket one side and blank the other side, however not flush.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I'm doing a bit of redecorating in my living room and need to make the right half of a two gang wall socket "disappear" - preferably flush to the wall.

Ok.

I'm thinking I can either pull out the existing pattress and reposition the entire two gang unit half-a-box-width to the left,

You could. You are referring to what we call a back-box. A pattress is mounted on the surface so would be easy to do.

pull out the existing pattress and replace with a single gang unit,

You could.

or somehow replace the two gang faceplate with a one gang (on the left half), and blank out the right half - leaving it in situ.

Not possible. A single plate will not fix to a double box.

As I'd prefer not to have the hassle of cutting out the existing pattress, moving it/replacing it, and making good,

Leave it as it is, then.

does a lower effort solution to this problem exist?

No. It's not a problem.

You just have to do whatever work is necessary for what you want to achieve.


Also, it depends where the cable enters the back-box.
On the right hand side from above or below would leave it not complying with the regulations.
On the right hand side horizontally, it might not be long enough, meaning you would have to exteend it in a satisfactory manner.