There are many small design details to remember when renovating a room. However, the electrical wiring is one that people often overlook. Electrical sockets are a practical fixture, yet many renovators don’t think about how they fit with the rest of the decor.
In some cases, people do think about the design elements but forget about safety issues. It’s important that you consider both when making any electrical wiring decisions. These are some of the crucial design elements to consider when changing electrical outlets during a home renovation.
Other Materials and Finishes In The Room
Although electrical sockets are simple by design, you still have to consider the finish and how that works with other finishes and materials in the room. Often, people go for a simple white plastic and that’s fine. However, you may be missing an opportunity to tie them into the rest of the decor. If you have a lot of metal finishes in the room, whether that is on surfaces or on other small fixtures like door handles, you should match this with the sockets.
These hager silhouette socket covers, for example, have a nice brushed metal finish that works brilliantly in modern, minimalist rooms. However, if you are going for a nice rustic feel, you would be better off with some brass fixtures with nice ornate bordering. Even though white plastic is a good neutral option that works in most rooms, you should opt for something that matches the other finishes.
The Condition Of The Walls
The condition of the walls should always factor into your decision too. Flat sockets that sit flush with the wall look very stylish, but they are not very forgiving. If the walls are not completely flat, they’ll stick out and it will be very noticeable. Any crumbly walls could be a big problem if you are trying to improve electrical wiring, move sockets and install new ones too. So always check the condition of the walls.
If you have recently had walls plastered, that will solve issues with crumbly or bumpy walls. However, ensure the plaster has fully dried. Wet plaster can cause issues if you install sockets before it is ready. It may be best to hold off for a while until you can be sure that it has dried properly.
Earth Wiring
You might decide to switch your plastic socket covers for metal ones, but if you live in an older property, there are some safety issues to be aware of. Metal sockets are only safe if the correct earth wiring is in place. New properties will have earth wiring in place as standard but old properties may not, especially if the electrical wiring has not been updated for a long time. Before you start moving anything around or changing the socket covers, get an electrician to safety check everything and ensure the right earth wiring is in place.
Your electrical sockets are a design feature as well as a practical one, so make sure you consider all of these things when making any decor changes. And ALWAYS engage a licensed electrician before touching any electrical wiring.
