ᐅ Number of network outlets; how to plan Wi-Fi in a new build?

Hello,

we need to decide soon on the number of network outlets required throughout the house.
Basically, we agree on where to place outlets (living room, office, children's rooms, bedroom...) for connecting stationary devices.
However, I am a bit unsure about what exactly needs to be planned to ensure good Wi-Fi coverage on both floors.
What I find online about this topic is beyond my current understanding.
Would it be possible to simply install one network outlet centrally on each floor and connect a device there to extend the signal? What kind of device would that be?
(I have often read about access points.)

Looking forward to some beginner-friendly advice. Thank you very much.

For the "classic" floor plan with ground floor, attic, and basement featuring reinforced concrete ceilings, you can place the router (e.g., Fritzbox) in the utility room on the ground floor. Then, install a LAN socket in the attic hallway at about 2 m (6.5 ft) height and, if necessary, one in the basement as well. Remember to add a power outlet nearby. This setup allows you to connect an access point there; some models are designed as flush-mounted inserts that can be installed by an electrician under plaster. In that case, only the blinking LED will be visible on the wall.

The sockets on the upper floor and basement should be connected in the utility room, where everything can be consolidated at the router.

If the utility room is located in the basement instead, I would recommend installing a double LAN socket in the living room. The signal from the utility room would be routed to the router there (due to the telephone connection). The second socket would then send the LAN signal back to the utility room, where everything can be distributed further via a so-called switch. You will need a switch in both setups, as it distributes connections to all sockets in the rooms.

The network sockets in the rooms should be installed regardless, as you correctly pointed out! It is best to use double sockets with twin cable.

If your building is timber frame construction, signal loss is usually less of an issue, so the router alone is often sufficient without additional access points. However, this does not replace the need for network sockets in the rooms.

For a precise recommendation, the floor plans should be reviewed, but generally speaking, having one access point per floor in the hallway works well. The devices should support mesh technology, so you essentially have a single network throughout the house to connect your phones and other devices.

I would do it almost exactly as described by Scout. If possible, consider adding an extra telephone socket in the basement so you don’t have to place the router in the living room. You could park the router in the basement, which is still sufficient for regular DECT phones.

Oh, and it’s best to use access points that support 5 GHz as well. They don’t cost more but offer more channels, meaning less interference.

Thank you for the responses.
We are building without a basement using solid construction (concrete slabs).

Do the access points always require a dedicated power outlet?
Do I also need an outlet in the utility room? Would just one be sufficient there?

Better access points operate via PoE, meaning they receive their power through the LAN cable. This can be done either through a switch that supports PoE or as a standalone solution using an injector, a small inline device with a power connection that supplies power specifically to that one outlet.