ᐅ Planning Electrical Outlets and Heating Fixtures

Bauretter99 schrieb:

and therefore relies on the great, high-quality flush-mounted switches. This is very important for the appearance. Because cheap surface-mounted switches in an expensive new build are an absolute no-go.

I don’t even have surface-mounted switches in my renovation house from the mid/late 1960s. Even back then, it was already a no-go in new builds. I wouldn’t know of such switches being installed as a standard in the last 50 years.

Golfi90 schrieb:

When the moment comes that I have to use a power strip UNPLANNED in a new build, my planning has failed...

And can 100% of homeowners say they would build exactly the same way again without any changes? Probably 0%. We have 8 power outlets in the living room as standard. That is completely sufficient. I have no desire to look around everywhere and see only power outlets....

Ybias78 schrieb:

I don’t feel like looking everywhere and just seeing power outlets....

But you don’t have to. That’s what planning is for. Among other things, power outlets can be arranged so that they are always accessible yet practically invisible. The trend has long been to place technology as hidden and unobtrusively as possible, including power outlets.

Here, it’s better to have more outlets than you need. Cables and power strips scattered around are much more disruptive to the overall appearance than a grouped set of outlets on the wall.

For example, in my house only about 30% of the outlets are directly visible.

Mycraft schrieb:

You don’t have to overthink it. That’s what planning is for. Among other things, to arrange power outlets so they are always accessible yet almost invisible. The trend has long been to hide technology as much as possible, including outlets.

Here, it’s better to have one more outlet than you actually need. Cable clutter from power strips here and there is much more disruptive to the overall appearance than a properly placed group of outlets on the wall.

In my house, for example, only about 30% of the outlets are directly visible.

We simply start from our own apartment and see where we miss outlets. However, I find it unnecessary to plan more outlets just because you might need them at some point. But that’s a matter of personal preference.

Ybias78 schrieb:

We simply start from our apartment and see where we are missing power outlets. However, I find it unnecessary to plan for extra outlets just because they might be needed at some point. But that’s a matter of personal preference.

I understand your basic point, but it makes sense to adapt to your new living situation. At least for me, I’ve noticed different habits depending on the apartment or house. I also realize that my preferences change over time, even when I was once absolutely certain about something.
I’m not a fan of what I consider an excessive electrical or smart home setup; I try to find the right balance for myself (and the same goes for all other areas).
I think the suggestion to give a bit more thought to the electrical planning is appropriate. Of course, it also depends somewhat on how much you have to pay extra per outlet!

I’m actually missing a few here and there. But life goes on anyway *sigh*
Haha, seriously though: the need arises as you and the house or furnishings change.
That’s not something you can usually plan for in advance. How many outlets do you have for devices that don’t even exist yet but will in 10 years? Smartphones, Kindles, and computers for charging were already around before we built our house… phew, what luck…

Mycraft schrieb:

In my house, for example, only about 30% of the sockets are directly visible.

We have a rather minimalist/purist setup: almost every outlet that’s unused and visible annoys me. Well, one alone is still acceptable—I don’t want to overdo it… but I prefer clean walls.