Skip to main content

Things to Consider When Installing Outlets

Things to Consider When Installing Outlets


We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. 
While it might not be as fun as choosing countertops or paint colors, planning your new home’s electrical outlets can impact your daily life more than you realize. After all, how often are you left searching for a place to plug in your charger or install a new light fixture? Your architect will include an electrical plan with your blueprints, so designing outlets will be part of the process. Don’t leave it to your architect to guess where you want outlets. Consider these factors and you’ll always have the power you need.
Modern white kitchen
Tuck outlets under cabinets for quick access. Image: Gilmans Kitchen and Bath

Beyond the wall

Your architect will plan around city codes when it comes to placing outlets. Your city or county will dictate how far spaced your outlets must be. But you can still have input on where they go, or if you want outlets in specific places. Obviously, most outlets will be placed in your walls, but think beyond the wall to really make sure you’re covered. Imagining how you’ll use the home and live your daily life can help you visualize the best places for outlets. Here are some clever places to make sure you have power:
  • In kitchen drawers and cabinets. Drawers and cabinets are a sneaky way to run more power through your kitchen. Whether you need to charge a phone, run a hand mixer or even plug in a small light, having power tucked away in your drawers gives you easy access that doesn’t disrupt your decor. You can also use cabinet outlets to light some of the darker corners of your cupboards.
  • Under cabinets. Under-cabinet lighting is a cool feature, but it can be expensive. What’s more, you might find yourself changing out pricey specialty bulbs, or just leaving them burned out. Plugs underneath the cabinets let you choose less expensive lighting and serve up space to plug in electronics and kitchen gadgets without taking up counter space.
  • In the island. If you have a kitchen island, consider running power up and into your island with an outlet on the side. Even if you have other counter space, you’ll likely use your island for prep work. It’s annoying to have to move food to another workspace in order to plug in a mixer, blender or food processor. The island is also the perfect place to serve up pancakes hot off the electric griddle.
  • In the entryway. Why add outlets to the entryway? It’s just a place to take off coats and shoes, right? Well, think about how many times you plug your phone into an outlet in the house, only to forget it? Or how many times have you guests who need a charger? Adding plugs to your entryway gives you a convenient out-of-the-way place to charge phones and electronics so they’re always ready when you are.
  • Living room floors. Don’t want to trip over cords and plugs? Putting outlets in your living room floor means you can plug lighting exactly where you need to, hiding the cords under furniture instead of causing a constant trip hazard.
  • Bathrooms. Your architect will definitely plan for plugs in the bathroom, but you can design their placement so they’re more functional. Think about how you use bathroom electronics like shavers or hair dryers. Remember that it’s unsafe to string cords over sinks so plan accordingly. Addicted to quiet baths and reality TV? Your architect can also help you find a safe place to put an outlet for a TV in the bathroom.
Bright family room outlets
Add outlets in the floor to reduce trip hazards. Image: The Orpin Group

Smart outlets 

Old, outdated plugs might do the trick, but new smart outlets make life so much easier. Check out some of the new smart outlet options to see if they’re an upgrade you want to make.
  • USB outlets. Why worry about USB converters at all? If you’re placing outlets where you know you’ll want to charge your phone, just install a USB outlet and you can plug directly into the wall.
  • Bluetooth outlets. Make your house a smarthome on the cheap by using smart outlets and plugs to control your electronics from your phone. They use Bluetooth to connect with your electronics, so you don’t have to get out of bed just because you forgot to turn off the a lamp downstairs.
  • WiFi outlet. Wondering how much power it takes to run your home? WiFi outlets can send information about your power usage and even cut off certain appliances or electronics when they meet a quota. This can save you major money in the long run.
They might not be the most visible part of your home, but plugs might be some of the most important. They are a small thing that make a big difference in your daily life. Slowing down the design process to choose and place them properly means you’ll love your home that much more.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Busy (and Lazy) People

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Busy (and Lazy) People The new year is a time for change. This annual milestone is typically accompanied by new goals, plans and objectives. Unfortunately, most people don’t keep their new year’s resolutions, often because the goals are so inconvenient that they become unsustainable. And if you’re busy (or lazy), it’s twice as hard to remain steadfast. However, we’ve compiled a list of relatively easy ways that you can make small changes in your home this year. Here are 10 new year’s resolutions you can keep.   Grow a Green Thumb Plants add beauty and health benefits. Image: Byryo/Getty Images If you don’t have a green thumb, commit to buying at least one plant this year. And if you don’t kill it, you may discover that you actually  like  tending to plants. Besides adding beauty to your home, studies show that fresh flowers can lower anxiety and depression, and some of the best and easy-to-care-for indoor plants include Golden Po

5 Easy Ways to Get 2019 Interior Design Trends

5 Easy Ways to Get 2019 Interior Design Trends Half the fun of the approaching new year is looking forward to all those new design trends. And 2019 has some stellar upcoming trends. Interior designers have been discussing what will be popular in 2019 since the middle of this year. What they’ve come up with include rich colors, clever use of space, elegant furniture and an eye towards sustainability. These trends might seem daunting to place in your home. But below we’ll cover some easy ways to make these new 2019 interior design trends work for you and your space. Colors of the year One of the best parts of looking at next year’s design trends is taking in all the different  colors of the year . It seems like all the major paint companies have their own eye on what will be big in the following year. With so many options, like Behr’s  Blueprint , you have plenty of choices for staying trendy. In the spirit of keeping new colors easy, you might want to incorporate these shades

5 Ways to Keep Your Crew Safe During Roadway Projects

5 Ways to Keep Your Crew Safe During Roadway Projects Safety is always the number one priority in any construction project. Anyone that tells you differently hasn't been in the business long enough. In construction, a safe site is a happy and productive one. At the end of the day, ensuring everyone's safety will keep employee morale up, costs down, and ensure deadlines are met efficiently. It's best to think of safety as the umbrella that every other component of a job falls under. The principles of safety can be complex when you break them down, but there are ways to simplify the goal of a safe and friendly job site. Create a Pervasive Culture of Safety Safety isn't just a checkbox to tick off of a checklist tucked away in a Manager's office. It should be an ingrained component to your construction company's culture and ethos. The first step to ensuring safe working conditions is to create a company culture that puts safety first at all times and never