Whether new construction or complete renovation – every structural measure begins with planning the electrical installation. It should be well thought out and, above all, tailored to the individual habits and requirements of each resident. So laterall cables are hiddenand cable clutter is prevented, it is important to think about the position of sockets, power and lighting circuits for the bedroom during this construction phase.This applies to every room in the house, but in this article we explain what needs to be considered when planning sockets and switches in the bedroom. It is clear that the location of the sockets depends primarily on the location of the bed and the TV, but that is far from all.
What is an electrical wiring diagram?
A circuit diagram, also known as a wiring diagram, is a graphical representation of an electrical circuit and determines exactly where the lights and switches are located and where electrical devices are connected. The plan indicates the number of required sockets and switches, the location of their installation, as well as their characteristics - antenna socket, telephone socket, dimmer, series switch, change-over switch, etc. With a complex wiring diagram, electricians draw up a separate plan for connecting lighting fixtures, a plan for sockets and a plan for switches.
If you hire an interior designer, you will definitely get an electrical plan from them. This should also be in the contract.
Why should you even plan anything?Did the builders not provide enough sockets? Unfortunately not. In general, far too few sockets are included in the standard equipment of a house or apartment. They adhere to the general guidelines for electrical systems in residential buildings, but the intended use and furnishings of the rooms determine the arrangement of sockets and switches. And builders don’t know that.
Look at the picture above and note the location of the electrical outlets and ceiling light. Now imagine how you would decorate this bedroom. Would this plan be practical then? The one socket in the corner next to the window is sufficient to connect the smartphone charger. In the other you can connect a bedside lamp. And what if you have a clock radio, need power for the vacuum cleaner or want a switch on the bed for the ceiling light? You should ask yourself these questions, especially during the planning phase, so that you can save yourself the hassle later on that sockets are missing in the bedroom or are hidden by the bedside table.
Important: The electrician's plan is always made according to the approved interior layout shown on the floor plan. Why? Because the location of the sockets and switches is related to the scenarios of their use. But these drawings from the builder are more like example images that hardly correspond to our furnishing ideas and are therefore completely changed in most cases.
The electrical outlets according to the builder's plan would remain under the podium in this bedroom
Adjust the arrangement of the sockets to suit your habits
How many sockets do you need in your bedroom?To determine the number of sockets, you can read recommendations from designers related to room ergonomics, but it is very important to adapt them to your habits and lifestyle.
As soon as they wake up, most people check their mailbox and read the morning news. Before bed, they scroll through social media, surf the internet, play a few games online and finally, following the logic of things, they leave all kinds of devices - smartphones, tablets, laptops - charged overnight. If you belong to this group, you should plan electrical outlets somewhere within arm's length of where you sleep.
If you don't have the habit of falling asleep with your smartphone and prefer to read a book before falling asleep, the socket to charge your devices doesn't necessarily have to be at the bedside, but can also be located elsewhere in your bedroom.
Sockets and switches next to bed
If you're packing a suitcase for a long trip, yes, you'll need a bright overhead light. In all other cases, it is more convenient to create a cozy atmosphere in the bedroom using bedside lamps and indirect lighting.
The number of light sources next to the bed is planned according to the number of people sleeping - usually a wall light on each side of the bed. However, this is not a rule. You can also opt for two elegant pendant lights or several recessed spotlights.
More importantly, you need to know the exact location of the bed in the bedroom so that you plan the location of the outlets and switches accordingly. In relation to this, for example, the location of the hidden wiring for mounting the wall lights (and the switch), the ceiling outlet for pendant lights and the correct height of the sockets for table lamps.
Sockets above and near the bedside table
There are several classic options - choose the one that suits you best.
- 1 double socket, which should be 15 cm higher than the bedside table. Consider the height of the finished floor. If you don't yet know the exact dimensions of the bedside tables and the height of the bed, follow the standard heights. A standard bedside table, for example, is 45 cm high. So you can mount the socket at a height of 60 cm. For box spring beds, bedside tables with a height of 60 cm are recommended. So the socket at 75 cm height is ideal.
- 1 double socket between the bed and the bedside table in the bedroom.
- 1 double socket next to the bed on the wall - at a height of 30 - 90 cm from the floor if there are no bedside tables.
The switching is convenient
You've probably seen such practical switches in hotels - in addition to the switch for the reading lamp, there is also a switch for the ceiling lamp next to the bed. So if you go into the room and turn on the overhead light on the door, you can turn it off as soon as you lie in bed.
Sockets depending on the functional zones in the bedroom
What else is planned in your bedroom besides the bed?
TV. A 5-way power strip for the television should be planned on the selected wall (usually opposite the bed). This then remains covered by the television.The height of the TV sockets in the bedroom is 130 cm above the floor. The multiple socket should have at least three sockets for the television, the set-top box and the router as well as TV and Internet connections.
workplace. You need at least two sockets: one on the wall at a height of at least 30 cm from the floor for a computer or laptop and another at a height of about 15 cm from the table surface (i.e. 73 - 75 cm from the floor) for a table lamp or something else. Depending on the equipment, the power strip can be adapted, for example with USB, network connection, etc.
If necessary, you can also have a socket installed in a drawer - devices can be conveniently charged here.
Dressing table with a mirror.Good light is needed to apply make-up.A good idea would be to have two sconces placed on either side of the mirror, equidistant from the center of the mirror and at face level. As with a computer desk, it is necessary to plan a multiple socket at a height of 30 or 90 cm from the floor. There are also mirrors with built-in lighting - there is a socket behind the mirror to power them, like the TV.
Wardrobe. Integrated LED closet lighting is a very practical solution for wardrobes. The LED strip can be used horizontally or vertically and provides optimal lighting exactly where it is needed. Thanks to the built-in motion sensor, the light automatically turns on as soon as you open the cabinet door and turns off again as soon as you close it.
It is also recommended to plan a socket next to the bedroom door - for a vacuum cleaner or aDehumidifier. The standard height of the sockets is 30 cm, the height of the light switches is 80-90 cm, but these heights can be changed (for example, raising the sockets to the height of the switch).
A few words about light switches
Also don't forget that there are two light switches with the changeover switch - one next to the reading lamp and one next to the door.
A switch that turns off all floor lamps and desk lamps at once would also be a good idea: When you leave the room, you don't have to turn off each device individually.
The optimal height for the light switches is 75-90 cm from the floor (depending on the height of the users). Also pay attention to the opening direction of the door. Make sure that the door handle is right next to the switch when the door is closed.
So how many sockets in the bedroom are optimal?
- On each side of the bed there are 2 x 1 double socket, 1 changeover switch for the ceiling lamp and 1 switch for the reading light;
- 2 multiple sockets at the workplace (1 above and 1 below the desk);
- a socket on or behind a spacious cabinet (for automatic LED cabinet lighting);
- a multiple socket and additional lighting at the dressing table;
- a multiple socket for the television (if available);
- a socket for the vacuum cleaner and a switch on the bedroom door (possibly together with a changeover switch).
That makes a total of 7 or 8 power strips and 6 – 7 switches. You decide for yourself how many sockets you need. But definitely – much more than the builders planned. When it comes to sockets, it's better to have too much than too little!
