Home Renovation Electrical Plan

Electrical Walk-through

Doing an electrical walk-through can save you time and money.  

Walk through your house before the renovation starts and think about what might be needed. During the walk, take a copy of your house floor plans and begin thinking about the electrical features. Make a list of the required electrical work, including the placement of outlets, switches and downlights.

Dining Room

Lighting is an important element of any dining room. In addition to overhead lights, you might want to install sconces or track lighting.  

Wall sconces provide the ambience ideal for after-dinner conversations, and track lighting allows you to direct the light where it is needed most. A single lighting fixture is common here as it acts as an accent piece. Often this is in the centre of the space or of the dining table.  

Thinking about what you want and what works best for dining can save you time, money and expensive fixes. 

Living Rooms

Lighting

This is a common area for home renovations. You might consider dimmer switches if you want to adjust the lighting. These switches can help create a mood and control the light.  

You should also include two outlets per wall and one ceiling outlet used for recessed or built-in lighting fixtures. If you have occasional tables, it’s a good idea to install outlets directly below these pieces so that you don’t need an extension cord running across the floor to power them.  

Floor outlets are also a great option for these spaces. If you want a coffee table with a lamp away from the wall, having a power point installed on the floor would be the most efficient way of achieving this.  

Media

Electronic items should also be taken into consideration. Our living room often has a TV, DVD player, gaming console and speakers. All these electronics need power, so it's important to consider the placement of these items when deciding where to install power points. Also, you may need more power points in this area, as there are likely to be multiple devices requiring power.  

Sound

Surround sound speakers are becoming more popular in both living rooms and media rooms. If you're looking to add a complex speaker set-up, this needs to be considered during the planning stage. Whether you're looking to build speakers into the walls or ceiling or to place speakers around the space, don't forget these speakers need power. 

Bathroom

Bathrooms are another important area of your home that should be fitted with the proper electrical wiring. This includes lights, exhaust fans, and towel warmers. It’s important to install lighting fixtures in the right places - near mirrors or showers, for example.  

Bathroom exhaust fans need to be well-ventilated, so they do not overload a circuit or create hazardous conditions. A good electrician will help ensure these spaces are properly wired to meet your needs and provide you with peace of mind during your renovation process.  

Bedroom

When planning your electrical wiring for a bedroom renovation, it’s important to consider the placement of wall outlets. Placing outlets near beds and nightstands can make charging cell phones and other devices much easier. You should also consider the placement of your switches. They should be in a clear, unobstructed spot on the wall near the entrance. 

Master Bedroom

You may want to consider special design features in the master. An extra control panel, fancy lighting or built-in charge points are all features to consider. 

Kitchen

One of the most important aspects of your kitchen is the electrical wiring. This includes careful planning around where appliances will go and how you’ll power them. It’s important to consider things like cooktops, ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators when designing your space.  

A good electrician can help you plan out these details so that everything works smoothly during your renovation process.

Our Top Tips

Do not over-light your interiors

It may appear odd, but lighting mistakes are often made to over-illuminate the room. If the lighting plan has been left to an electrician, they usually look at the ceiling to determine the downlighting options. It causes overly bright spaces with a ceiling that receives almost no sunlight. Instead, think about the space function. What is happening in your room? Once you know how you will use the space, you can select lighting for the tasks you will be doing in the room. 

Don't forget you can also use non-fixed lighting options such as lamps, especially in your living room.  

Consider shadows

It's important to consider the pathway of the lights before installing them. 

Eg: a downlight put directly above a range hood would cast a shadow on the stovetop and would not be the best placement of light. 

Decide where to place light switches and control panels 

Control Panels

Another important electrical and lighting issue that should be considered in constructing buildings will be the placement of control panels. ie: aircon, lighting, home security etc. You'll need to decide what you will use and the best location for them to be placed.  

A good lighting plan begins with function and adapts your lighting according to corresponding needs. Take note of how much natural light is present also. 

Light Switches

The placement of switches is important. An ideal spot is in a clear, unobstructed spot on the wall near the entrance to the room, where it can be easily reached. This makes it easy to turn on and off the light without having to search for the switch in the dark. The light switch should also be placed where it won't be blocked by furniture. 

Smart Homes

Smart homes are the future of electronics. With advances in technology, we are now able to incorporate smart systems into our homes that can make everyday tasks easier and more streamlined. If you're looking to renovate, then utilising smart home features might be a good idea. From lighting and temperature control to security monitoring, a wide range of features are available that can help improve your quality of life. 

If you are thinking about creating a smart home, here are some tips to help you get started: 

1. Start by identifying the key areas you might want to integrate smart technologies into your home - this can include lights, locks, heating and cooling systems, appliances, or security cameras. 
2. Research different smart products on the market and compare their features so that you can choose for your needs and budget.
3. Consider hiring a contractor or electrician to help you with installing and setting up your smart systems, especially if you are not comfortable with DIY projects. 
4. Be sure to keep your home's wiring and electrical system in good working order, as using too many smart devices at once can overload your system and create safety hazards. 

With the right planning, tools, and expertise, you can create a beautiful and functional smart home that will revolutionise the way you live!