Even if it’s not as flashy as upgrading your sofa or renovating your kitchen, strategically placing outlets can take your home to the next level. Placing electrical outlets throughout your home gives you much more control over the usability and functionality of your home.
Deciding where to place new outlets in your home is more of a strategy than most new homeowners think. The correct distance between sockets is important to avoid voltage spikes. Still, it’s important to place electrical outlets in appropriate locations, such as your new kitchen, bathroom, and closets. If you are building a new home or moving to a new property, we have created a review of residential real estate placement tips and methods.
Top Locations to Place Your Electrical Outlets
Our local electricians in Denver, CO know that you want the best outlet locations possible. That’s why we have some tips and tricks on the best locations depending on the room.
1. Living Room
The living room is where most of a home’s electricity needs come from. From video game systems to streaming to electrical instruments, the location of electrical outlets in the living room should be stable.
Consider placing electrical outlets in the middle of each wall, in corners, and near mantels. Do you want to mount a flat screen TV? Be sure to install a power outlet higher up on the wall to avoid tangled wires.
2. Bedroom
Place an electrical outlet on either side of the bed so that both adults can easily access charging cords, lamps, and other devices. If your home has a large walk-in closet, you may need an outlet for ironing or steaming the clothes in it. In addition, a bedroom should have at least one light source that can be controlled via a switch. So plan accordingly.
3. Bathroom
Keep electrical outlets near the bathroom counter so cords don’t pose a tripping hazard. Also, make sure outlets are away from bathtubs to reduce interaction between water and electricity.
4. Kitchen
Kitchens should have electrical outlets spaced 2 feet apart along each counter. Smart outlet placement ideas for small and large kitchens include placing them in the pantry, on a kitchen island, above cabinets, under kitchen cabinets, or on a wall where you install appliances.
5. Home Office
Location is crucial when planning your home office. Consider placing electrical outlets along each wall for maximum flexibility in furniture placement. You may also want to install electrical outlets in desk drawers to prevent cable damage and improve functionality.
Check Your Local Electrical Codes
Before you get too excited about the possibilities of your residential electrical outlet spacing project, it’s important to check local codes to ensure your new home meets current standards.
Luckily, looking up county codes and restrictions is pretty easy, especially considering how many there are
Municipal codes are based on the NEC (National Electric Code). Additionally, the NEC is a great tool that provides homeowners with reliable information about private sales outlets.
Despite the abundance of resources, understanding electrical codes can be overwhelming for even the most knowledgeable homeowner. If in doubt, contact a professional electrician for further advice.
Electrical Outlet Spacing Tips
Our homes require much more electrical power than they did twenty or even ten years ago. These days we need a robust release plan to manage our Kindles, Nintendo Switches, iPhones, laptops and all our other beloved devices and gadgets.
When considering electrical outlet location ideas, be sure to maintain adequate distance between each outlet on your property. Too many sockets stacked on top of each other will result in false tripping or excessive electrical currents.
Aim for at least one outlet per hallway that is longer than 10 feet. In bathrooms, place an outlet within three feet of the edge of the sink, preferably above the countertop.
In kitchens, add an outlet every two feet. For walls, outlets should be no more than four feet apart and their location should not exceed 20 inches above the counter.
By following these tips for spacing electrical outlets, you will avoid potential hazards while ensuring appropriate access to electrical outlets in different rooms.
Creative Electrical Outlet Placement Ideas
Just because you’re planning where electrical outlets are located doesn’t mean you can’t get a little creative. Some owners open branches in creative locations such as:
- Floors
- Cabinets
- Islands
- Inside Drawers
- Walk-in-Closets
- Inside Medicine Cabinets
As long as you follow local codes, try out different electrical outlet placement ideas to create a more personal home.
Safety Considerations
The most important thing is to ensure that the location of your outlet is safe and prevents shocks, surges and damage to your devices. Read on to find out more.
Amperage
It is important to install the correct amplifier jack with the correct amplifier circuit. In general, each circuit in your home typically carries 15 or 20 amps. Although installing 15 amp receptacles on 20 amp circuits is acceptable, the reverse scenario is not safe. Connecting a 20 amp outlet to a 15 amp circuit can cause an excessive voltage surge, which can cause a short in the circuit.
Tamper-Resistant Power Outlets
Tamper-resistant outlets are similar to standard outlets, but have internal mechanisms that block both slots until both prongs of a plug are inserted at the same time.
These special sockets are used to prevent children from being electrocuted by inserting objects into a single slot. As you might imagine, tamper-proof outlets are essential if you have small children at home.
What Is GFCI Protection?
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. GFCIs are safety measures that reduce the risk of electric shock. The NEC requires GFCI protection in rooms of a home near water sources, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
What Is AFCI Protection?
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) are a technology that detects and responds to “arc faults” to prevent potential fires. AFCIs are similar to GFCIs in that AFCIs interrupt the circuit by “tripping” when an arc fault is detected. While GFCIs are designed to protect against electric shock, GFCIs protect your home from fires caused by arcs and sparks.
Electrical Installation and Replacement Services
Are you thinking about installing a socket in your new home and are you looking for advice? Our team of local electricians in Denver, CO provides homeowners with comprehensive electrical services. If you have an emergency electrical problem in the afternoon or middle of the night, our team will come to your home as quickly as possible to restore safety.
Our electrical repair company team offers a range of electrical solutions including panel installation, wiring replacement, outdoor lighting installation, ceiling fan replacement and circuit breaker installation. Homeowners choose to work with us because we offer industry-leading upfront pricing and warranties. If you need help repairing or upgrading your electrical system, call our team of electricians at (303) 647-9221.
