Lighting is just as influential to the aesthetic of a space as furniture and finishes. Great lighting is not only functional, it also creates warmth and depth while highlighting your favorite features. It determines the mood and atmosphere of the space. Light fixture design, type and color temperature are crucial to creating a beautiful home.
Light switch and electrical outlet placement directly affect how the homeowner feels about their space and they may not even realize it. When switches and outlets are placed in the right location, daily life is easy and effortless. You can flip a switch the second you need it and place elements exactly where they work for you without visible cords cluttering up the space.
Both lighting and power locations should be thoroughly discussed with the home owner and tailored to meet their needs. Unfortunately, in most homes this doesn’t happen. In many cases an electrical subcontractor determines the location of these elements when they begin installing them in the space. They often use the same light fixtures throughout the home and locate them without taking into consideration the placement of furniture. Outlets are often spaced as they are required by code and not by how they will be used.
The Level 1 Reflected Ceiling Plan is shown as example below. An enlarged plan of each quadrant was also created to give additional information about switch, box and wall plate types.
Key lighting elements to consider:
- 99% of the light fixtures in this space are dimmable LED that use far less energy. Specific LED dimmer switches should be specified with LED fixtures or they will not dim properly.
- Light fixtures should be focused on an element, rather than air. A very large majority of the fixtures in this space are adjustable. These fixtures should be aimed at furniture, art, countertops and decorative elements, rather than being focused on the floor. Spotlights or narrow spotlights are the preferred lamps (bulbs) for the majority of these fixtures. Spotlights have a narrow cone of focus, which creates drama and interest in the space.
- Switches should be easy to access, but not obviously visible from the main spaces. For instance in The Classic Modern House, notice how the light switches for the living area are located in the small hall/vestibule adjacent to it, rather than on the main wall where art will be located. These light switches are still very easily accessible, but completely out of view. They are also smart switches, which can be switched by a remote, phone or smart device, but I will have to save that for another post.
- The color temperature of lamps in a residential space should be 2700k. This gives the space a warm comfortable glow. The few exceptions to this would be vanity lights, garage lights and task lights, but nothing higher than 3000k is preferred in a residential space.
Additionally the Level 01 Power plan is shown below, as well as enlarged plans designating the type of outlet, box and wall plate.
Key elements to consider when locating electrical outlets and devices:
- Furniture. It is amazing how often homes are designed without creating a furniture layout. Outlets should be located behind all furniture elements where you may want to plug in a lamp, electronic device or charger. If a piece of furniture is intended to fit flush against a wall, a recessed outlet may be the best option. In this plan recessed outlets are located behind all furniture pieces that aren't intended to move, i.e. - media centers, credenzas and even nightstands.
- At television locations plan for wall mounted screens using recessed boxes. The photo below is what we installed behind all tv locations in the The Classic Modern house. (These boxes do have wall plates that cover the openings like a typical outlet.) In the open space on the left duplex receptacle outlets will be installed. Next to the outlets will be where we run the cable and ethernet. On the right side is a brushed opening that enables you to run an HDMI cable through the wall. Typically this cable could be dropped down through the wall, but this is an exterior wall that will be filled with blown in cellulose insulation. Therefore, we need a chase or raceway to run the HDMI cable through. Unfortunately, as far as I know a chase for these boxes doesn't exist. We created our own using an electrical box, corrugated tube and a slip joint nut.
Photo above of the tube behind the brushed element. Make sure the diameter of the tube is a large enough to pull cables through, ours is 1-1/2" in diameter.
- There are many different types of outlets that make spaces even more useful. In this home we have outlets with USB ports, Type C ports, nightlights and WIFI capability. We're also using devices inside drawers as well as a flush mounted pop up outlet in the island countertop.
- Plan out the use of spaces where you may have office equipment, desks, work tables or charging stations and make sure they are properly accommodated. You may want to place many of these elements inside cabinets or closets where outlets typically aren't located.
- Place outlets inside kitchen and bathroom cabinets for devices you can leave plugged in, such as a hair dryer. There are many different types of devices that can be located in drawers and cabinets for wire / power management.
- Don't forget to locate outlets for specific home devices such as a cordless vacuum, Roomba or even a pet water fountain.
- Place outlets in the garage where you may need to plug in tools or charge batteries.
The designer should also know and take into consideration NEC code requirements when locating electrical boxes. For instance the latest NEC requirements specify that in a kitchen all outlets are required to be GFCI, outlets can be no more than 4' apart on perimeter walls and an island requires a minimum of 1 exposed outlet, depending on the size of the island and the equipment located within. Requirements are different for main living areas and non-living areas such as closets, bathrooms, etc.
Those are the basics of residential lighting and power - the abbreviated version. There more aspects to consider than I could ever write in one post. Currently, the electrical is being installed in The Classic Modern House. Please check back for additional updates!
Comments