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I’ve been thinking a lot about the kitchen – because it’s coming to life before my eyes. And because I’m making decisions that will impact the daily use of the kitchen.
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I start making lists. My brain has a tendency to go into overdrive and never stop until I download the information.
So this means I have lists everywhere. I still write a lot of lists in actual, paper notebooks, but I also have lists on my computer, on my phone and on scrap pieces of paper.
Ryan says that if anyone finds my notebook, they would think I was insane.
But that’s a story for another day. (Or not.)
As we are getting closer and closer to the start of building our house, I’m finding myself in list overload.
Many of these things are actually not imperative right NOW at all, but I don’t want to lose my thoughts so I just start listing.
So, I thought I’d start sharing some of these lists on the blog. This serves two purposes for me.
- It helps me download the ideas in my head, to have in writing for later.
- It selfishly helps me download YOUR ideas. I really hope you’ll share ideas to add to my list in the comments. (I loved all your thoughts in my last post about house building, so I’m counting on you.)
I know that many of you have also built a house – and many of you dream and plan for it one day. So, I hope you’ll chime in.
You are going to think that I’m insane about starting a list this early about outlets, but hear me out.
I’ve lived in two old houses that we’ve renovated, and I’m always going insane about outlets. There was NEVER one where I needed one. And I hated running extension cords.
Then, we finished the barn and put in TONS of outlets to avoid this (for a smaller space). And I still wish there were outlets in a few other places. (And Ryan actually had to go back and add outlets to the exterior because it was forgotten.)
So, I started making lists of where I want to have outlets so it’s very clear.
Because sometimes, I’m married to someone who likes to pretend we never talked about something that we actually did talk about. And other times, I’m married to someone who thinks I actually just had these conversations in my head. (I’ll let you decide who is actually telling the truth.)
So that’s why this list has been top of mind.
Exterior outlets
- Front porch.
- Back porch/deck.
- Several near the eaves for Christmas lights (with switch).
- Exterior of garage (for washing/cleaning car).
- Under back deck (exposed basement).
Kitchen outlets
- Inside cabinet for charging station.
- Pantry cabinet for small appliances.
- Side of island.
Outlets for under cabinet lighting (connected to light switch).- Above cabinets (connected to light switch).
Living room outlets
- Mantel level for garlands and decor (connected to light switch).
- In floor for lamps in open floor plan (connected to light switch).
Entry outlets
- Drop area (at console table level).
Bedroom outlets
- Behind each end table (at table level and hooked to a switch).
- In master closet (for iron).
- Behind dresser area (at dresser level).
Bathroom outlets
- In vanity cabinet for hair dryer, straightener.
- In medicine cabinet for electric toothbrush and razor.
Other outlets
- In coat and linen closets – for vacuums, steamers and iron.
- Higher level outlets in bedrooms and living room for Scentsy.
- In upstairs hallway (for vacuum)
- Consider location for computer and printer and plan outlets accordingly.
(I came up with some of these ideas from this forum on Houzz.)
Anything else I should add to the outlet list? Anything you think is insane?
And if you like it, then put a pin on it …
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Valorie says
Outside compliant electrical outlets under the eaves of the house for Christmas lights – possibly with timer switch in an out of the way place in the garage.
Kathy DeRouchey says
I’m not sure you’re still reading the comments, but a fully color-coded and/or explained fuse box is a life-saver. An emergency flashing light to help Emergency Personnel find you is nice. Hard wired for a camera at the front door. In-wall wifi router. Outlets in every closet. You’ve already noted the door hinge lighting in every closet. Most of my outlets will be quads. And maybe a few with usb, also. I’m not sure if you’ve a plumbing site, like this… but I want my plumber to configure the pipes under the sink to lay against the back wall instead of sticking out in the middle of the cabinet. Lists are great, I agree. Good Luck. I’m not going to build for 3 years, or so. So, I’ll end up with a binder. LOL
Kim Woodward says
These are such great tips – thank you for taking the time to share.
The fuse box tip is so smart – we took time to label and color code and it really is a game changer.
Appreciate all the tips! Sounds like you have plent of awesome ideas.
Dee says
I would have outlets behind where you plan your bedhead to be rather than your bedside tables. You might decide to have built-in furniture and it’s easier to pull out the bed to plug/unplug rather than dismantle furniture.
Pat Patterson says
Great ideas to add to what is required by codes. Every one that builds a house should get to know their electrician who is going to do the work. Ask him if he will nail up all boxes before he drills the first hole and let you look. This is a very good way to see where things will fall and where you may want to add or subtract . I do this with all of my homeowners (I am a electrician/owner) this really lets them feel like they are part of the process of building the home. I like to do this for my owners because this cuts out a lot of change order stuff.. it’s easier to un nail a box than it is to pull the wire out and start over which saves money in the long run.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks so much for sharing! Great tips!
LaChelle says
Be sure to put plenty of plugs in the bathrooms & on different circuits so the you can run a blow dryer & flat iron or space heater at the same time. Garage: put 2-3 on each wall. Definitely put plugs on front & back porches. I love one person’s idea to sink the outlets in living room for couch fitting purposes. Great thread! I hate not having enough plugs, there are never enough!
Janet says
We also put an outlet below each window inside for candles. Each bedroom has a switch for the outlets in that room, so individual can switch off candles for sleeping.
Kim Woodward says
I love that the outlets are hooked to a switch! Good thinking!
Kailene says
I love this. I didn’t read thru all the comments but you might want to think about by a stairs handrail. If do Christmas garland around you can plug in the lights right at bannister Level.
Kim Woodward says
That’s a very good idea!
Debbie says
I agree you are smart! Very important to take time to think this out throughly.
Outlets on either side of front entrance door. (Christmas decoration).
I also recommend the automatic lights for closets and your standard entry door.
Also if blessed with a large pantry so you can keep clutter off kitchen counters, I.e. Toasters, can openers
Also in closets for Dustbusters, rechargeable flash lights
Plan a charging station for your devices
Also add additional lighting in any attic storage area !!!!!
Kim Woodward says
Such awesome tips! Thanks for sharing, Debbie!
Holly says
I would add an outlet in a stairway for a vacuum or night lights.
Walk-in Closets
FYI – Not code to install next to a toilet
Patty Beuris says
An outlet where you plan to have tv, DVDs, cd, systems. For example above the mantel if you put a tv there.
Kim Woodward says
Great tip!
Elizabeth says
I would extra by the bed. Just in case you get an airbed, reading lights, full time phone and tablet chargers.
When in doubt, locate every 3′ to 4′. As a housekeeper, it was always hard to find accessible outlets.
I think your other locations are very smart.
Kim Woodward says
That’s great advice!
Brittney says
We didn’t build our house but it is newer. One thing I have noticed and need to have An electrician out to upgrade is the outlets in the bedrooms by the night stands. Go with a 4 socket vs. 2. We have to use an extension cord to be able to use the lamp, clock, phone charger and currently a baby monitor.
Karen McAuliffe says
Outside line for fountain, pond, lighting, etc.
Kim Woodward says
Very good idea, Karen! Thanks!
Kate says
I would suggest at the landing of your stairs if you have one, if not, somewhere close to the top or bottom for vacuuming. Unless you’re going to install a central vac (which is totally worth it).
Ashley says
I just found your blog and it’s excellent! I’m making my way through your house building post from the beginning. My husband and I are still renting in a big city but can’t wait to buy/build a little piece of country, so I’m living vicariously through you for a time!
Your list making really resonated with me, and your tone throughout your posts feels really authentic. Thanks for sharing and being so real!
Pam says
Kim, your not crazy, every spot you mention is perfect from my view. One more idea… There are now outlets with USB ports in them. Would be great for those regular charging spots for phones, tablets etc. I’m building a tiny house soon and this issue is at the for front of my design plans. Good luck.
Kim Woodward says
Great idea! I need to think about where these would be most useful.
Susan Maloy says
there are a lot of comments here so if this has already been said I apologize… I am at work and didn’t have the time to go through them all. I added an outlet in my stairway, it is especially helpful for vacuuming, really works well in a stairway that has a turn in it.
Kim Woodward says
Great idea! Our stairway has a landing so we should probably add that.
Rachel says
I work as a project manager for a home builder- just make sure your outlets are code compliant! For example, exterior outlets need to be weatherproof (one of the more obvious requirements). You can always have more outlets than is required but just make sure you have what is needed !
Kim Woodward says
Yep – great tip, Rachel.
Sarah says
How about the garage. When they built our house there was only one outlet in the garage. Crazy!!
Kim Woodward says
That’s such a good point. We’ll definitely need more out there.
Amie says
As I prepare to build my second house I can tell you the best decision I made in my first house (which made my electrician crazy) was an outlet under each window….for Christmas lights of course!!!! First thing on my list this time too!!
Kim Woodward says
I love this idea! Are you talking inside or outside?
Kathleen says
http://www.sillites.com/
I wanted those for years and finally bought them for my new construction!
Love them!
Kim Woodward says
Those are WILD! Such a great idea if you want to add candles to the windows. Not sure the candles would be great for us with a tiny guy (they would be right at eye-level to mess with them) but I’m definitely tempted.
Kathleen says
I also bought the plugs only for the top of my fireplace mantle and I bought brown ones for the sides of my island. Single plug rather than a large outlet. They also come with covers when not in use (like in the window sill) Super cool!
Katie says
Thank you so much for this list! We are going to build a house one day soon, and this is going to be so helpful! I’m pinning it so that I won’t forget it.
Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says
This is a solid list! You have all the outlets on the list that I was going to suggest 🙂 One outlet that I really love having is on the side of our island. It’s great for using the hand mixer or electric griddle.
Kendra says
If you have an idea of where you will put your Christmas tree or if you want a sofa table, what about floor outlets? Then you don’t have to drape the lights from the tree to the wall.
Krista says
You are so wise to be thinking (and listing) about this stuff so early in the house building game! I didn’t put one ounce of thought into it until the day our electrician needed to do a walk-through and have us tell him where all the outlets, switches and light fixtures would go. And they don’t just want a general idea, they want to know exactly how many inches from the wall you want them and where the switches will be that control them. The poor guy was patient, but likely ready to strangle me by the end of the day.
Your list looks great! Nothing I would add. We also put outlets under the eaves that connect to a light switch for Christmas lights and it’s pretty much the best thing ever – same goes for the above-cabinet outlets/light switch connection. We also had an outlet in the living room connected to a light switch for the Christmas tree. Our under-cabinet lighting is hard-wired right in and connected to a light switch.
Another thing to think about is your bathroom vanity lights. I hadn’t even picked out all the vanities at the time the electrical was being roughed in but told the electrician I’d be getting a 36″ vanity in our master bath. Well, after the drywall was up I realized a 36″ was never going to work and I ended up getting a 31″, so now the damn light is off-center and it DRIVES ME NUTS! Every time I look at it I get mad at myself for not being more prepared during the rough-in stage. And since our lower level is ICF walls, we can’t move it 🙁 But in the unlikely event that you too are cursed with an off-center vanity light, please help a sister out and blog about ways to disguise the off-centeredness 😉
Katherine says
I built a back plate out of routed and stained wood so I could cover the hole and recenter the light. You could also use painted wood
Holly says
I’m a total nut about outlets too-it DOES seem like they are never where you need them to be and I can’t stand it. When we moved into our current house and were doing renovations I had them added EVERYWHERE. Legrand makes a “pop out” outlet and they are awesome. They don’t scream “LOOK AT ME!! I AM AN OUTLET!!” but when you pop them out you can plug in up to 4 different things. They have been fantastic for areas where we don’t need to have things plugged in at all times. We had outlets put on the underside of our mantels for garlands and outside along the eaves (all on switches) for Christmas lights and they are the best. Makes life a lot easier. The switches are in our entry closet so they aren’t an eyesore or in the way of the switches that get used daily.
We also (because I am insane) had our front porch lights and a light near the end of our (very long) driveway hooked up to an emergent 911 switch (so it can be switched on to flash in case of an emergency.
We had power run to our flower beds and along and under our driveway in case we ever wanted to add anything outdoors. I know this has nothing to do with outlets but I also suggest having each ceiling light box also be fan rated just in case you ever want to go that route. Also consider if you want a whole home vac (you do, even if you don’t know it yet) and run electrical for that, even if you drywall over it for now, at least it is there if you decide to put on in down the line.
I agree with the other ladies who have said to go with hardwired under cabinet lighting-love ours!
Dottie Theriault says
Love these ideas.
Michelle says
We custom built our home and had to place each outlet, switch, cable hookup, you name it. Our electrical walk through was one of the most mentally exhausting experiences I’ve ever been through. I used floor plans (blueprints in our case) and marked using color coded highlighters. This made it easier once drywall was up to see which outlets weren’t punched through…and there were some! Without those plans I would have been standing at a blank wall trying to convince my site manager there was an outlet behind the drywall I’d paid for. I still got things wrong (a switch for the mudroom behind the door! Remember which way your doors swing). The outlets on the floor are excellent, as are ones in walk in closets and your pantry (DustBuster!). Make sure you consider how many things need outlets in your garage. Tools may need to charge, irrigation, garage door openers, etc. It adds up! If you have a laundry/mud room consider outlets for a steamer or iron there (counter height). Put outlets on both sides of your kitchen island, I’m glad I did. Wire at least two options for a flat screen TV in main living area, you may change your mind. Also pre-wire for surround sound even if you aren’t putting in the speakers now. It’s easier to do before the drywall goes up. On your back deck area, consider two outlets depending on the size or if part may eventually be screened in. If you can, take pictures once the house is framed, but before the drywall goes up. I can not tell you how many times we’ve referred back to those (ie hanging a giant wreath in the front palladian window). It will seem you are putting in an obnoxious amount of outlets…you aren’t. Good luck!!
Kim Woodward says
Thank you so much for the advice, Michelle! These are such great ideas – I love the idea of taking pictures before drywall goes up. That’s genius.
And I’ll definitely try to remember door swings. Never would have thought of that.
Anne says
I would consider timers on the circuits for holiday lighting (especially outdoors) rather than switches. And I second the idea of lots of 4-gang outlets near beds, desks, charging areas, etc.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks for the advice, Anne.
Gretchen says
oh, I remember that old house/not enough outlets thing! our first apartment in boston had precisely one outlet in each room, for a total of 3 in the whole apartment. I have no sage advice on outlet placement, except make sure there all actually connected to electricity. Someone put in four outlets in our basement room but never hooked them up to anything, which is terribly annoying.
Bonnie says
outlets near banisters- good for Christmas lights. Also plan where tvs will go, if wall mounted, outlets up on wall. outlets near sofas are great bc mine are blocked (#wrap around sofa fail), and so its a pain when my laptop dies. outlets in laundry area are great too, for charging dust busters in hiding, I only have 1 for the washer an dryer so I unplug one to charge, also think about outside hoses, I have a hose in garage (car washing) but not behind house… (filling kids pools watering garden). Also multiple garage outlets… I have 1.. who did that?!! I am so excited to your design!
Just somethings I wish I had thought of:)
Kim Woodward says
Great tips, Bonnie! Thank you!
Pam says
If you have a deck make sure to add electric AND water hose access on that level. we have a walk out with a deck over and watering the plants on the upper level is a PAIN!
Plan room layouts and “special” furniture piece layout..heirlooms…make the wall and windows fit the piece haha. .. but also look at the optional arrangements, if you have plugs mid wall and move dressers….how do you disguise them. Have fun building I love it but it is taxing.
Pam says
Also think about automatic switches on all closets…open door light comes on close door light off 🙂 Many people will tell you closets don’t need lights… I disagree I only look for things in closets when its dark outside…
Kim Woodward says
I love this idea, too! And I’m totally with you – I think closets need lights!
Kim Woodward says
Great tips, Pam. We were actually just talking about putting a spigot on our porch – glad you reinforced this decision.
Billie Jo says
When we rebuilt our porches I had my husband put outlets all around the perimeter of the ceilings. They are on a switch in the house….it’s wonderful. Think ahead to how you decorate for holidays and add outlets where you think you may need them. On a side note…if you like to rearrange your furnature a lot (my husband thinks I’m nuts) and you don’t wall mount your Tvs, consider having a couple of cable ports put in any room with a TV. Result, shorter cords & more options.
Kim Woodward says
Great ideas! I definitely need to figure out where to place them for holidays. Top of the cabinets is a must, but I know there are more places.
Angie Kendall says
I went through and thought “Where would I put a Christmas tree? How about lighted garland?” that made a difference for sure!
I love the outlets in our bathroom vanity closet for toothbrushes, razors, etc so nothing is out on the counters and the outlet in our closet.
I made the mistake of opting not to put in an additional light switch in one area because there were two “really close by.” In reality, I should have just added it. I turn the light on when I enter the hallway and ALWAYS forget to turn it off when I leave. Which means I leave the second floor light on all. the. time. It drives Aaron crazy.
Kim Woodward says
Great tips, Angie. Thanks for the ideas.
shannon Lapay says
Don’t forget recessed outlets..then the plaugs won’t stick out. I want them. Or snap power light plates that have a built in night light. Just one more, USB ports.
Amber @ Wills Casa says
I don’t think you can have enough outlets. I feel like I totally dropped the ball on this during our build. I just didn’t think about it. Once it’s framed and you walk through, you’ll add more. My biggest outlet regret is one behind the bed in the master. We added small windows above, so it pushed the outlets out. It’s so far away from the side of our bed and we can’t hid the cords at all. Boo. Also the side of the fireplace because that’s where we put the Christmas tree. We have to plug it into the outlet inside the living room built in which isn’t a big deal, but I should have thought about the Christmas tree.
Rhonda says
What about right under the hand railing…sorta tucked under there for a string of Christmas lights? And I always thought if I had a barn I would put one near the front peak…for a big wreath. Don’t forget to plan ahead for furniture layout changes. Oops! I just thought of something else. But wait…that would go on a different list. Maybe that’s what happened to you and the hub. Your thought was on the wrong list. Hate that when it happens. I do this when meal planning and start writing what I need to purchase on the menu schedule. AARGH!
jill says
we just finished a large kitchen remodel. The top part of all of the upper cabinets and pantries have glass panes so we had them lit with led lights. we paid extra for a dimmer to vary the brightness as the led’s are quite bright. at night i dim them down and they are a great nightlight if we are up for any reason. Our island is 12 ft long so i put plugs at each end on the back side end pieces up near the counter where there is overhang and thus they are not visible.
Kim Woodward says
I think the island outlets would be the best, especially for entertaining.
Jena says
I don’t know if anyone suggested this, but having an outlet in your window ledges. It sounds odd, but if you like to have those little candlestick lights in the window (when they are battery operated they can run through a lot of batteries) or lights during the holidays it’s a lot safer then running a cord or multiple cords to one outlet. When you aren’t using them you just put in those little plastic safety covers to keep out dust and stuff. You can’t have too many outlets.
Lorrie says
I completely agree about the walk through with the electrician. Our electrician didn’t even look at our plans, just put them where he normally would. He completely missed lights and outlets in the garage, and didn’t put any near the vacuum system outlets. I also echo the multiple outlets by the bed and would do the same where you might use more than two appliances. Also where you might charge a lot of devises. I’d also put in some of those usb outlets. Have a ton of fun!
Kim Woodward says
Great thoughts – definitely need to think more about appliances.
Stacy T says
I just found my notebook from our remodel/addition 7 years ago and laughed at all the measurements and insanities inside.
*Outlets in every closet. I had one put in our bathroom storage closet on a whim and we have an instant charging station inside and off the counter that I adore.
*Multiple outlets in bathrooms, not just a 2 outlet.
*Outlets in the hallways for nightlights for kid(s) – or better yet http://www.snappower.com/
I wish we had one around a corner so I don’t have to see it from where I sleep but the kids can see it to go to their bathrooom.
Kim Woodward says
That nightlight outlet is going to improve my life. I just know it. Thanks for the tips.
And if you can just send me your notebook, I’d appreciate it. Maybe it could save me some work. 😉
Donna Baker says
I love changing my rooms around and only one of the walls in my bedroom has outlets placed for bedside lighting. I guess that’s where the builder liked it best! Put outlets spaced for your special sized pieces on every wall they might ever be placed!
Kendra says
The idea of having the outlets higher than normal is great. Since this is a forever home not having to bend over quite so far when your 80 will be nice.Your list is really thorough so I didn’t have any locations to add, but I ran across these recessed outlets and would love to have them behind dressers and bookcases so furniture can be flush to the wall.
http://www.kyleswitchplates.com/white-leviton-recessed-15a-outlet-with-6-quick-port-connectors-690/
I also love these covers with a built in LED nightlight, perfect for hallways and bathrooms. http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/led-night-light-outlet-covers-install-minutes-use-just-5-cents-power-year.html
I am so excited for you. Good Luck!
Kim Woodward says
Those are AWESOME finds. Thanks for sharing. Just pinned them.
Sarah @ Our Old House says
Love this! I am a list maker, too – I can totally relate. It’s not exactly an outlet, but one thing I would recommend is closet lights that are switched on the door hinge. We installed them in our coat closet & pantry when we did a small addition a few years back and they are amazing. Light comes on when you open the door, goes off when you close it. I love that the closets are always bright and I never have to think about turning the light on/off. Something to think about!
Kim Woodward says
I just recently read something about the idea of door hinge lights. I have to do more research, but I love this idea so much!!! Thanks for the tip.
Dawn says
Hello Kim,
Congrats on the upcoming New Home!! We are about to build as well and our blue prints are almost complete. Therefore, I appreciate all the info I saw on your blog and have taken a few notes of my own ;). However, I didn’t see this from anyone else and I just wanted to make sure it was something you thought of in your process. Your Bed. We have an air adjustable Tempur-Pedic mattress and it has a box under the bed that requires and outlet. It may not apply to you but generally that is an item you plug in and forget.
Best Regards,
Dawn
Amanda S. says
Definitely not insane! I would do the same thing 🙂 My husband followed the following simple rules when building our house (before we met) and we’ve only had to go back and add one in the laundry room (at counter top height):
1. Put one on each wall in each room.
2. Put one every four feet on countertops at countertop height.
Never felt like we were missing outlets anywhere! 😉
Kim Woodward says
Great tip, Amanda.
Kathy says
Friends who completely gutted and renovated their house put one under every window for candles or seasonal decor.
Kim Woodward says
Interesting – inside or outside?
Kathy says
They did inside for things like the lighted candles and such.
Stacie says
Hard wire under cabinet lighting. I just installed led flexible strip lighting by Inspired Led with a dimmer switch (a must) and it was super easy and didn’t cost as much as i thought is was going to http://inspiredled.com/. If you send them your cabinet layout they will create a layout and send you a quote. I just wish i would of had them added it to the bottom of the microwave bracket above our stove instead of putting a wire in the wall to get lighting to the other side of the stove so i still may change that.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks for the recommendation – I’ll look into it.
Stahli says
We used them also and loved them! We have lighting above and below the cabinets! We had plug-ins installed above the cabinets and attached each socket to a different switch. If I really wanted to I could unplug the upper lights and do Christmas lights or something more festive.
Also in the kitchen, when we remodeled, I went from 3 or 4 outlets to outlet strips. They are located just under the upper cabinets and have a plug every 3-4″. I LOVE IT!!!
Kim Woodward says
Thanks so much for sharing. I love the idea of outlet strips – totally looking into this.
Jenny @ Words On Wendhurst says
Oh my goodness. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. The apartment we are in now is the first place I’ve lived where it seems like they actually designed it for the 21st century, and we have an abundance of outlets. Heaven, I tell ya!
That said, a few thoughts. Also make sure you clarify what order you want the switched to connect to. In our basement bathroom the electrician wired the fan to the first light switch, and the lights to the second. It drove me batty! I was constantly turning on the wrong one.
And yes, don’t forget exterior outlets. We added one to the front of our house and it was a game changer.
Kim Woodward says
I totally relate to the switches – our barn is a little whacked with the order of the switches because of some changes we made as we were working on it. It drives me a bit insane, but I’m getting used to it. =)
Kristi says
I am a fellow list maker, so I totally dont think you are crazy. 🙂 My parents have the one on the side of their island and it is awesome. Also my friend has the above cabinet ones with a switch in the kitchen, also great. Our current house actually has lots which is awesome. I love the ones in hallways. Great for vacuuming lots of rooms without having to unplug.
Kim Woodward says
Good call on the hallways. Our house plan doesn’t really have a hallway, outside of the upstairs landing. But I definitely want one there.
GG says
One place I would recommend is on the stairs somewhere for (flat) night lights.
I also saw on another website (don’t have the link, it has been some while since I looked at it) to install a light switch in master bedroom that controls all exterior lights, and another one to turn off all exterior Holiday lights at one time. (I guess the master bedroom would be good as any other place, unless you install this one in a down stairs in a closet but the more I think about it- the master bedroom would be the best place for this switch.)
Another place is to have a built in place between studs with USB outlet and regular outlet right beside main entry door(s)-garage or front door.
One more place- in garage, put outlets at waist height for easy access after garage becomes cluttered. 😉
Kim Woodward says
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Adrienne B says
This a good list. A few questions/notes:
1. Why not just have hard-wired under cabinet lighting? I’ve been specifying Task Lighting Sempria LED.
2. I’m not a big fan of switched outlets (they always confuse me). I like to have at least a small sconce or some source of light on a switch for a bedroom just to get in the room. For outlets next to the bed, I put a quad so you can plug in a light and a clock and still be able to plug in a charger, etc.
3. I have been adding outlets next to toilets so you can have one of those fancy toilet seats (I have one that is heated with a night light. It’s amazing, I love it.).
4. Don’t forget to think about your TV and if you want to run the power and cables for a wall-mounted TV.
Last item. Make sure you have a walk-through with the electrician after the rough wiring is done. This will be your chance to make sure the outlets are where you want them and the light switches make sense to you. Even if you’ve planned it all out on paper, sometimes when you see something in real life it doesn’t work the way you thought it would.
Good luck. Can’t wait to see the house progress if (I mean when!) Spring comes.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks so much for the tips. I’ll look into your recommendation for under cabinet lighting. I know nothing about it yet, I just know I want the option to have it. Sounds like hard wiring is a no-brainer.
I definitely need to do more thinking on switched outlets. I don’t want them to become overwhelming, but for bedside lights, I think it’s a no brainer. And I think that having some of the exterior lights on a switch (for Chrsitmas lights) would be amazing.
Fancy toilet seats? Who knew.
Sarah says
Kim! You need to check out our undercabinet lighting, but also our under cabinet outlets. I love them and they are nice and hidden!
Lisa says
Not sure about where you’re from but all our builders put the switch for Xmas lights in the front closet so it isn’t in the mix the rest of the year. Works wonderfully.
Kim Woodward says
What a great idea!
dee dee says
not sure if this has been mentioned but at my last house, we had outlets placed under each street facing window for christmas lights and they were all controlled by one switch in the garage. i could plug in all my electric candles for christmas and turn them on with one switch. no going to each window to plug and unplug.
good luck!
Liv says
My parents (I’m still in the apartment phase of life) installed a timer switch onto an already existing light switch for our outdoor lights / christmas lights. Perhaps this is an option you might want to look into?
Kim Woodward says
Great idea!
Linda O. says
We are building now and will be putting outlets in the toilet rooms, so that you don’t have to turn on a big light in the middle of the night. You can plus in a motion nightlight.
Shannon says
One idea that I read somewhere, and will definately do in the next house we build is to have the outlets inserted in the wall like a box. So that when you have your furniture there, they can be pushed up against the wall without having to leave that gap for the plug. Totally ingenious. I would also make everyone a quad outlet, it would just make life easier. I know this was about outlets….but one more suggestion, when putting in outside water spigots make sure to have at least 2 that you can get hot water from, I’m just saying…
Bob limburg says
In kitchen, hobby room or garage/shop, so as to not overload circuit, alternate outlets.
Use different circuit for top and bottom outlet and next outlet.
Remember porch and deck. Now people want tv outdoors too! Also, 220v for kitchen,laundry and garage( maybe not for you but next owner).
Debra says
I like outlets in the potty room to place a small table and littke lamp on it.
Kim Woodward says
That’s a great idea!