By Bud Dietrich, Houzz
From electrical outlets to air vents, speakers to thermostats, all of the little items that we rely on for modern living are here to stay. And as we continue to develop new gizmos, like iPads, and building codes call for new safety requirements, like smoke detectors, the sheer quantity of these little items will only increase.
So it really bugs me when I tour a recently completed home renovation or a new house, and the interior walls and ceilings seem to have developed a case of acne. Rather than all of the accoutrements of modern life being considered in the design, the outlets, switches, air vents, thermostats etc. are all haphazardly placed. A little thought and coordination can prevent this type of scenario.
Let’s see how the walls of your next project can keep a clear complexion.
Gizmo 1: Legendary Luxury Homes, original photo on Houzz
Think about placement early. It’s always nice when items such as air vents are placed in sympathy with and to complement the architecture. Placement of these items should be looked at before construction starts. Either you’ll have to move the framing or be stuck with an unwanted location for the register if you wait until after the walls are up.
Build in a power strip. We need to have electrical outlets to plug in all of those small appliances and as mandated by building codes. Just because we do, though, they don’t have to mar the beautiful backsplash we’ve just paid a lot for.
Gizmo 2: Seura, original photo on Houzz
Make it intentional. Keeping the backsplash free of any electrical device really helps to show off the tile and overall aesthetic. But if you’d like a television or docking station for an iPad or other tablet device, you can certainly recess it into the design, making it part of the overall look. The trick is to make it an intentional decision rather than an afterthought.
Camouflage it. Chances are that hiding the electrical switches won’t be all that easily done. In those cases, especially where the switch is in a tiled backsplash, some camouflage will hide it in plain sight. Just take care that the person doing the camouflaging gets the colors and patterns just right.
Related: Hide Cords in Style With DIY Graphic Panels
Group switches. Where there isn’t the possibility of hiding a switch or bank of switches, make sure to group the switches in an orderly fashion. It’s disconcerting to see switches randomly placed about a wall, often within close proximity to one another. And while you’re at it, position the group in a spot that’s carefully chosen and use a switch plate that coordinates with the overall design.
Make them stylish. Of course, not all of these objects have to be hidden. Many manufacturers are now producing quite stylish and fun devices, like the Nest thermostat, that can be displayed as a bit of decor. The trick is to place these devices in a spot where they can stand out and be noticed.
Recess them. Let’s not forget the speakers that are part of our audio visual systems. Recessing these items will keep them less obtrusive and less pimple like.
Integrate them into the design. While it’s not always possible to do a media wall, integrating the speakers into the overall room design really helps.
Work with the invisible structure. Lighting, especially recessed can lights, really must be coordinated with not only what’s visible but with what’s not. Getting each light centered into each coffer requires that no framing, air duct or other item above the ceiling get in the way. So coordinating these elements during the design and drawing phase will pay dividends during construction.
Complement the architecture. Some rooms, especially those with tall and sloping ceilings, aren’t easily lit. So it’s always a pleasure when the lighting is coordinated with and complements the architecture. Achieving the exact placement of fixtures is the result of a coordinated plan, in which structure and electrical elements are all thought about.
Be ready for anything. There’s little chance that we’ll see fewer gadgets and gizmos in our homes. While just a few years ago, the iPad wasn’t an item a designer would have considered when planning an interior, now it’s almost omnipresent. So things like wall-mounted charging stations in every room have to be considered. Let’s face it, a beautifully designed interior considers everything that’s part of the room.
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