Where to Put Electrical Outlets in Your Home
Designing or remodeling a home takes significant planning and contemplation. Every aspect of the design and decor matters. One often overlooked consideration is the placement of electrical outlets. Below, you will find where to put electrical outlets in your home.
Where to Put Electrical Outlets in Your Home
The placement of electrical outlets in your home is an important consideration. Depending on where you put them, they can make daily tasks much easier or harder. Consider the following guidance on where to put electrical outlets in your home.
Living Areas
Electrical outlets need to be placed around your general living area. Most electrical codes require outlets every 6 to 12 feet along the walls in the living areas, which are usually occupied with lamps, televisions, and phone chargers.
Having enough outlets ensures that you do not need to rely on extension cords to power your devices. Electrical outlets near your entertainment center are necessary. Be sure to install several outlets to optimize your entertainment setup and audio-visual solutions. For those with an open layout, consider floor outlets in places where you would have put wall outlets.
Kitchen
The kitchen is a hotspot for traffic. It is where you prepare food and gather to eat. Having enough outlets in this area is critical for your ease of food preparation. Outlets need to be placed above the countertops, on kitchen islands, and around high-current appliances. For every four feet of countertop space, place an outlet on the wall. Such placement will ensure you have options of where to place your appliances, and you can choose the most convenient location without wondering if there is an outlet nearby.
Installing outlets on the sides of a kitchen island is also helpful in various situations. You will need to be strategic about your outlet placement, considering your kitchen setup and most trafficked areas. Large appliances should also have electrical outlets behind them. Due to the higher voltage needs, you will likely need a specialized outlet.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms have significantly more technology than they did in the past. People often spend time on their phones at night and watch television. If you have considerable screentime while in your bedroom, place electrical outlets near your bed and nightstand. These outlets will also service your alarm clock and other devices to ensure they are fully charged in the morning. Depending on the number of devices you charge or use daily in your bedroom, you may benefit from creating a charging command center in your bedroom. Adding a USB wall plate can also be extremely beneficial if you have a lot of devices.
If you have an additional entertainment center in your room, be sure to add electrical outlets around it. The placement of the electrical outlets will depend on what type of entertainment system you have. Deciding the placement is typically easier when the entertainment center uses shelving. Still, many people opt to hang their televisions and find other aesthetically pleasing ways of connecting them to power. Be sure to assess your potential setup prior to installation to ensure your outlets are in the right place.
Bathrooms
The bathroom is another hotspot in the home. As a space to wind down at night and get ready in the morning, it gets a lot of traction. That said, it is important to use extreme caution when placing electrical outlets in the bathroom. The presence of water near the outlets can be hazardous. Place electrical outlets near the vanity area, as they can be used for electric razors, hair dryers, and curling irons, but be sure they are high enough from the basin to avoid splashing.
Avoid putting outlets near bathtubs or showers. This is a major hazard and can result in severe damage to both your home and its occupants. Be sure to refer to the local electrical codes for guidance. Outlets in the bathroom should also be equipped with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters for added safety. Work with a skilled electrician to ensure your setup is safe.
Audio-Visual Solutions
Check out the selection of products at Kanex Pro for any of your audio-visual solutions!