HOMEMAKER
In the third of her
four-part series on
decorating decisions
made easy, designer
KRISTINE BONNICI
enlightens us on how
to electrify our homes.
Let there be light!
POWER HOUSE
t is never too early to start thinking about
light and power points. In order to add
power and light successfully to an interior,
you need to design a comprehensive light
plan at the very start of the project. There are
many important safety regulations that must
be followed during installation, and only a
qualified electrician should be entrusted with
the job.
The appearance of light switches and
sockets has come a long way in recent years
and it is possible to find different colours
and profiles to suit most interiors.
Unfortunately, in modern apartment
blocks, not enough thought is given to
the light and power plan, with only basic
preparations included. They usually consist
of a central light point and two power points
per room. Those allotted for the kitchen are
generally more generous, with a maximum
of four! To anyone who has lived in a welldesigned home, it is immediately obvious that
this basic plan is inadequate and would need
alteration.
A successful light and power plan takes
into account the natural light of the room,
the position and orientation of the apertures,
the location of the furniture, the functions to
be performed in it, the style of the interior
and the lifestyle of the occupants. Power
points need to be planned and not simply
placed haphazardly around the room.
Lighting and power need to be planned
together with the furniture plan.
In a main bedroom, power points are
required on either side of the bed, behind the
dressing table and chest of drawers, and also
behind the wardrobe for connecting interior
wardrobe lighting. Consider the height of
each piece of furniture so that unsightly
sockets and plugs can be concealed. Decide
whether the bedside table lamps are to be
controlled by a wall switch, or by a local
switch attached to the flex of the lamp.
Many charge their mobiles and laptops in the
bedroom, so allow for sockets for this too.
I
In a child’s bedroom, the desk needs to
be adequately supplied with power for
the computer, PlayStation, etc… For safety
reasons, avoid the need for trailing wires and
the use of extension cords. With adequate
preparation and careful planning, it is also
possible to avoid trailing wires from a game
console to the monitor.
The study also requires careful planning.
Decide on the position of the desk and
ensure that there are adequate power points
for the computer, fax, printer, scanner and
any other equipment you may need. Think
about the location of reading and table
lamps.
The bathroom requires power supply for
the water heater, bathroom heater, shaver,
heated towel rail and a dedicated point for a
hair dryer if required. There are a number of
safety requirements regarding the installation
of power points in the bathroom and these
should be carefully adhered to.
The kitchen is the room that normally
requires more power points than any other in
the house. Plan the layout of the cupboards
and points for all the appliances. It is safer to
allocate one point per appliance, rather than
attaching multiple plugs to one socket, and
don’t forget to add a power point for the
cooker hood. Your electrician will advise
you regarding isolated points for electrical
appliances, such as the cooker and water
heater. Install double socket points along
the working surface in order to avoid trailing
wires when using kitchen appliances. Most
accidents occur in the home and many can
be avoided. Decide on the most likely
position for the electric kettle and ensure you
have a power point for this appliance too.
The living and sitting room require a great
deal of planning. First of all, decide on the
position of the TV and any other focal points
that may require an electrical supply, such
as a fireplace. Then decide on the size and
location of the sofas. Add occasional tables,
side tables and the coffee table to your
layout, and finally, decide on any additional
furniture, such as bookshelves, storage for
drinks, etc… Power points may need to be
added to the centre of the room at floor level
to plug in any lights on the side of the sofa,
or on the coffee table.
The TV and audio-visual area requires
adequate power. Some audio-visual systems
require an isolated power switch and it is
advisable to get input from the supplier.
Many home owners are opting for a plasma
TV. Decide on the size and location so
that the wires can be concealed behind
the screen. Think about connections to the
subwoofer, DVD player and speakers. Add
connections for cable, digital and satellite
as required.
Power points in the dining room are
usually required for table and floor lamps.
Some households also use food-warming
equipment and this also requires an electrical
supply.
Power points in a hallway are also required
for lamps and a cordless telephone.
When working on the plan, think about
the location of air-conditioners, water
heaters, water pumps, electric heaters,
dehumidifiers, telephone sockets, intercom,
alarm, sound systems, computers and
emergency lights. Think about likely
positions for ceiling and floor fans. Add
points that you may need when using a
vacuum cleaner, for the Christmas tree and
any other seasonal decorations that require
an electrical socket.
Design the layout for any power points you
may need in the garden and in any outside
spaces, using waterproof sockets for the
exterior.
Installing power and light in a home is
expensive. Careful planning avoids any
expensive mistakes and ensures that you
spend money where it is needed.
Kristine Bonnici can be contacted on
7988 5657, or [email protected]
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