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Design Dilemma
claire_pharo

Electrical Musthaves?!

Claire Pharo
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

Electrical must haves in new construction home?

Featured Answer
  • PRO
    BeverlyFLADeziner
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Under cabinets lighting with duplex outlets so you don't have to address switchplates in your backsplash

    Floor outlets in living room.

    Outlet for where the Christmas Tree Holiday Decor might be erected.

    Enough outlets in bathroom for all the electrical items. I think they not have outlets that can be inside the cabinets.

    Electrical supply at windows to power motors for shades or drapes

    Duplex outlet by toilet for electric bidet seat

    USB outlets in the duplex outlets

    Comments (17)

    • PRO
      Sativa McGee Designs
      7 years ago

      Undercabinet Lighting, Lighting with Dimmers or motion sensors, wall sconces in the hallway, lighting in the shower.

    • User
      7 years ago

      Nightlight outlets in the bathrooms

    • Theresa Holt
      7 years ago
      An Outlet on the side of the toilet so you can sit on the seat and do foot baths
    • acm
      7 years ago

      I'd love a built-in bluetooth sound system.

      but "must-haves"? nothing is that critical.

      USB charging outlet in a convenient part of the kitchen, maybe...

    • PRO
      Vancity Electric
      7 years ago

      We do the electrical for a lot of new homes and I would say most people comment on the audio system and the lighting after the fact. Having audio throughout your home just brings it to life. Also the right lighting can really pop as well. Remember your electrician has most likely installed lighting like yours for a lot of years I would trust there decisions and use there experience to your advantage. Hope that helps.

    • PRO
      4-Star Electric Ltd.
      7 years ago

      Adequate lighting in every room. It is much easier and cost effective to install adequate lighting during new construction. All too often homeowners try to address this after the renovation, even though it can be done, it is a lot more difficult and more expensive.

    • susanalanandwrigley
      7 years ago

      Ditto the lighting. When we were doing our upstairs bathroom reno, it occurred to me after the floor was ripped up that we now had access to our family room ceiling, which was a room that never had enough light. So at the last minute we added can lights, and some track lighting, to the FR before closing the bathroom floor above back up, and I cannot tell you what an improvement it is.

    • disfromage
      7 years ago

      Enough capacity in terms of amperage and empty circuit breaker slots for future expansion and changes. Ask me how I know....

    • User
      7 years ago

      We didn't build this house we are in, but my closets have lights that turn on and off when you open and close the door. (Perhaps someone knows what they are called) I would never have asked for this, but I really do love it.

    • PRO
      Vancity Electric
      7 years ago

      We install those as well. They are just called motion closet lights to us.

    • susanalanandwrigley
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      That is cool, my folks used to live in a condo with a closet with a light that was activated not by motion, but by the unlatching of the door I believe. Was put in by previous owner who was a bit of a DIY gadget-y kind of guy (good friend of the family).

      We had no lights in our master walk-in until recently. Closet had been built out by previous owners from a reach-in and they didn't add lights. We should have added them years ago, but finally added ceiling mounted flush LED fixtures. Being able to see decently inside the closet has improved my quality of life by more than I care to admit. (They are on a wall switch not automatic, but that is fine with me!)

    • User
      7 years ago

      Thanks Vancity. Mine have a button on the hinge side, so I don't know if that's considered a motion light? Although both probably work equally as well.

    • wacokid
      7 years ago

      Good perimeter lighting with convenient on/off switches.

    • PRO
      4-Star Electric Ltd.
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      The alternative to a motion switch for a closet is a door jamb switch. For ease of installation a motion switch is a better option, but both work great.

    • baileysr
      7 years ago
      Lots of great suggestions so far. Here's another one. Outlets on the fireplace mantle, for lamps, Christmas decorations, etc.
    • D J
      7 years ago
      One outlet next to the front door for holiday decorations.
      An extra light fixture to frame the patio (backyard) door with an outlet underneath it close to the ground.
      Ceiling light in the living room.
      Light switches at hand reach (don't take that one for granted).
      Lights on the sides of the house. Those areas always end up being so dark. Think about the trooper going there at night to handle the garbages.
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