What Socket Outlets Are Often Forgotten During Renovation According to a Designer

Planning electrical wiring is one of the most challenging stages of renovation, especially for beginners. Some try to take the easy path and install too many outlets without thinking, but when it comes time to buy finished electrical fixtures, they're left only grasping their heads at the prices. Others, on the contrary, underestimate their needs—there aren't enough outlets.

To avoid disappointment after renovation, it's important to plan everything down to the smallest detail. Together with interior designer Darya Dubkova, we share which outlets are most commonly forgotten.

Darya Dubkova — Expert, Designer

Outlet placement should be planned carefully and thoroughly: when planning, base it on furniture arrangement. Calculate where your appliances will be placed. Don't place outlets right next to each other—add a few more as backups. Now, let's look at the most popular outlets that are often overlooked during renovation.

On the Kitchen

Kitchen outlets should only be planned after creating a layout of the kitchen unit. While everyone installs outlets for most commonly used appliances (refrigerator, kettle, microwave), there are several more scenarios that people think about too late.

• First, it's important to plan an outlet for the exhaust fan: it’s best to place it near the ventilation duct.
  
• Second, if you have a gas stove in your kitchen, don’t forget to provide a separate outlet for the electric igniter.
  
• Third, an outlet for a food processor—people think about it only when ordering the kitchen unit. It’s better to install this outlet under the sink.
  

Additional outlets for occasional household appliances, such as a mixer or blender, can also be added. A handy formula: count all your household appliances and add two more outlets.

Design: BrainStormBuro

If you have a pet and use an electric water fountain or birdbath, definitely provide an outlet for that too: some only remember their beloved cat on moving day.

Design: Irina Bronnikova

INMYROOM Tip: Another important detail to consider during renovation is ensuring that the outlets themselves are modern, functional, and fit into the interior design. Company “DCS” developed a universal series of electrical installation products called “Avanti”—this is where the Italian design approach meets top technical solutions.

With a wide functional range, you can cover any needs: light switches and dimmer switches, power and data outlets, thermostats, and other mechanisms. The products are easy to install. They fit standard mounting boxes with a depth of at least 45 mm. The frame clicks into the installed mechanism.

Note:

Light gray glass

White oak

Black glass

Black aluminum

The key advantage of the series is its modular design. It allows installing two independent mechanisms in one mounting box, which is particularly useful for setting up a TV zone, as you can combine computer and television outlets, HDMI, and other mechanisms. Additionally, the products have a universal frame suitable for both vertical and horizontal mounting.

The modular structure lets you choose combinations of mechanisms to suit your needs in other zones as well—for example, implement a switch and blind control function in the bedroom or living room. All products undergo rigorous testing and can withstand high loads. Impressive technical specifications are combined with stylish design: frames made from natural materials are produced in Italy—wide assortment guarantees that you’ll find a beautiful and functional solution for both rugged loft and cozy Scandinavian style.

In the Living Room

The most common mistake is planning too few outlets near the sofa. Usually, a floor lamp is placed here, and sometimes you need to charge a phone or laptop. Therefore, at least three outlets are required in this area.

Note:

Blue-green pearl

White cloud

Cream pearl

Black matte

If you iron in the living room rather than in the laundry or bedroom, consider where exactly the ironing board will be placed—add one more outlet in that spot. The same applies to a robot vacuum cleaner: it’s very popular, and if its base is in the living room, you’ll need an outlet nearby near the skirting board.

Design: Irina Bronnikova

Also, many forget about outlets for Christmas trees and holiday lights. Decorating windows? You’ll need a couple of outlets on the window sills (a spare one might come in handy for fitolamps). Also, an outlet for lights on the tree itself: these can be installed with switch control.

In the Bedroom

Some people economize on outlets near the bedside table: they end up having to buy USB hubs or extension cords. The optimal number of outlets on each side is three (charging for laptop, phone, and a spare). If you like to charge your phone overnight, try using a USB outlet—no more switching adapters from one place to another: now charging stations will be where you find them most convenient.

By the way, next to the bed you can install not only outlets and USB charging devices but also organize lighting control. To turn lights on and off from the entrance and from both sides of the bed, a three-position switch is used. These circuits are well known to electricians. Our job is to remember them during the planning stage and include them in the project.

Want to set up a beauty zone in the bedroom? You’ll need an outlet near the vanity table for mirror lighting.

Some neglect backup outlets for connecting appliances that aren’t permanently in the bedroom (vacuum cleaner or steamer)—because of this mistake, you often have to turn off the TV or other devices. It’s also worth considering spare outlets here.

Design: Irina Bronnikova

If you plan to install electric blinds, don’t forget to bring electricity to them too. Control mechanisms for electric blinds are available in the series of electrical installation products, so they’ll be in a unified design with outlets and switches.

Design: Irina Bronnikova

In the Child's Room

When children are little, not all parents think about how much more tech they’ll need as they grow up—from desk lamps to outlets for laptops, phones, and other devices. 3–4 outlets in the future workspace should be planned ahead.

In a child’s room, outlets with protective shutters should be installed, which prevent inserting foreign objects into the outlet. They are not noticeable during regular use. The advantage of protective shutters over plugs is that they activate automatically, while plugs need to be installed every time after using the outlet.

In the Entryway

A common oversight is forgetting to install an outlet for equipment that isn’t used here permanently (like a vacuum cleaner in the bedroom) or for a robot vacuum cleaner (if it’s placed in the entryway). An outlet can also come in handy near the shoe cabinet—then you’ll be able to plug in devices for drying shoes.

Also, don’t forget several switches: a good idea is to install a switch in the entryway that can turn off all lights in the apartment (except for the refrigerator and the entryway itself). Then you won’t have to take off your shoes and waste time going to the bedroom if you forgot to turn off the lights there.

Another optimal solution for the hallway is setting up additional lighting with motion sensor control. It’s convenient to get to the kitchen, child's room, or bathroom at night without turning on the main lights.

In the Bathroom

Everyone agrees that an outlet for a hair dryer is necessary, but there are many more outlets relevant today—such as for electric toothbrushes, irrigators, or trimmers, and electric makeup mirrors with backlighting. Several outlets will be needed near the sink, an additional one to the side of the cabinet, and another one under the sink (for charging brushes or razors).

Design: Zenzerosso

Don’t neglect the stage of planning outlets. The right decision is to discuss this with a professional. Preliminary electrical planning helps make the home more comfortable and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Photo on cover: Design by Marina Troshina.

dkc.ru. Advertising. AO “DCS”. INN: 6905062011.