You’ve decided to build the custom home of your dreams.
You have the colours picked, the furniture envisioned, and the layout all mapped out. All that’s left is to build it and wire it. Sounds easy enough, right? It can be, but there are a few things you have to consider when it comes to wiring your home before you can get settled in.
Make a list and check it twice
Before you get any further, get out a pen and paper. Write down all of the rooms you’re going to have. This will act as a checklist to ensure no room gets left out when planning.
Now that you have your list, think of what you want to put in each room and where you want to put it. Creating a rough blueprint will help you decide on the ideal placement of outlets and light switches.
It’s also important to consider your family’s needs.
Perhaps you like to cook and entertain. You’re probably going to need several outlets in your kitchen as it’s the busiest room in your home.
If you’re just using your bedroom to sleep, you likely don’t need as many outlets as you think. Having places to plug in a charging station, a lamp, and maybe a fan should suffice. If you don’t want to add another outlet just for a lamp, consider hanging pendants, a small chandelier, or even a pot light above your bed. But if you plan on using your bedroom as a workspace as well, you’re going to need more outlets to keep up with the demand. The best way to determine how many outlets you’re going to need is to plan out where you’re going to put your furniture.
If you celebrate Christmas, you’re probably going to need to determine where to put your tree so that you can plug the lights in. If you like to charge your devices overnight, you should consider implementing a charging station. Maybe there are some appliances that need to be plugged in but you want to keep them out of sight. You can install outlets in secretive places like on the inside of cabinets and closets.
Don’t forget these spaces
You’re probably not going to need too many outlets in your bathroom. Think about the things you have that need to be plugged in so you can plan accordingly and safely. You don’t want to put an outlet in a place where the cord from one of your gadgets will be reaching across a sink or tub filled with water.
A common mistake people make is forgetting their outside space when planning their electrical plans. If you plan on spending a lot of time outside, you’re probably going to need some outlets. Whether you want to plug in your speaker while you’re grilling in the summer, or you need to plug in your holiday decorations, you should consider your needs.
Take a walk
During the rough-in stage, after framing is complete and before the drywall goes up, take a lighting walkthrough with your electrician and builder to go over where essential decor items (like furniture or artwork), outlets, and light switches should go. Pretend to turn lights off or on or plug in the important appliances. Take note of where your hand gravitates towards. These places will be the best spots to put outlets and switches.
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