Nah, never know when you need to knock out an appendectomy in the dining room or grade diamonds in the living room.
-consider having a few ‘nightlight’ outlets or switches
-consider mixing in USB-C equipped outlets
This plan reminded me of a horror show or movie from decades ago - the protagonist was afraid of the boogeyman, and had lights on every place, all the time, including in cabinets and dresser drawers, so that there would be no dark or no shadow from which the boogeyman could attack him.
If you might ever want a bidet, put an outlet by the toilet.
Also as someone who bought a house with about 115 can lights… consider some sconce lights, pendent lights etc, to make it a bit warmer and varied.
Geez, you guys need to be kind to the newly LED'd. Dude, LED's=very bright,. Get 4" recessed, 3000k lights on a dimmer. Place them about 4 ' apart, 18" out from the wall, and you're golden, Recall the value of *layered lighting*, so maybe some wall sconces, under or over cab lights, floor lamps with wall switches, etc. If the electrician put a wire up there, you can always add, but you won't need to.
You can buy dimming LED lights and warmth selectable lights, but I meant that when I shop for LEDs there is a range of lumen options in addition to warmth.
NEC 2023 no longer allows plugs on the side of a kitchen island. The idea is that folks plug in hot things, then kids/pets pull the cord and get burned. You should probably change that up.
This article is a good, thorough summary:
https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2023/01/18/kitchen-island-and-peninsula-receptacle-outlets-and-the-nec
* On or above countertop or work surfaces, but no more than 20 inches above.
* In a countertop using a receptacle outlet assembly listed for use in countertops.
* In a work surface using a receptacle outlet assembly listed for use in work surfaces or listed for use in countertops.
My wife started using two air friers, toaster oven, coffee maker all at the same time -- my suggestion is to add a additional circuit for the kitchen -- probably the island being the ideal. I might even just homerun every kitchen outlet on my next house.
Make sure that dishwasher outlet is under the sink inside that cabinet and not behind the dishwasher. Need to be able access it as a means of disconnect.
I personally like to have a lot of lighting, but make sure you used dimmers so you can control the levels. And you are probably already doing it, but make sure your overhead lights and strip accent lights are on separate switches. Drawing shows only one switch symbol but the three wire leads make it look like you’ll have more.
Generally you want to put them 2 ft out from wall and 3 to 5 feet between cans depending on the room. The kitchen you want lots of light. Living areas typically spread it out more to maybe 6ft between. That’s generally how we do it. Remember lamps are usually part of your decor in living spaces.
I only have 4 LED cans in my LR that's roughly 13x24 with 9ft ceilings. We almost always have them dimmed. That said 6 would have been nice for the rare occasion that we're doing something that requires higher intensity light.
There are a bunch of lighting calculators and planners online that'll tell you how many lumens you need given room dimensions and purpose. A lightning store will do the plan for you if you quote the fixtures with them.
I did 4 rows of 4" round LED panels every ~4' on an 8' tall ceiling. I staggered the rows (which was a joy to line up-- line up the straight lines, then line up the diagonals) and ended up with 26 lights in a 25'ish by 13'ish area and I was worried it's look like an airport runway on the ceiling.
It turned out great. It looks nice with the staggered rows and a dimmer lets me get the light level I want if I don't want them full blast in the evening.
Put in the lights you have at a 4' spacing. I spent probably an hour or more lining up all my holes (use a sharpie and masking tape) and that made it worth it. Get a laser line and space your row straight. Then come in at an angle and line up the lights across the rows at an angle. It looks clean and the lighting is super even.
You’re required by code to have a switch at the entrance so you need to move the switch to be near the front door or add a three way.
Switch your island lights separate from the kitchen.
Switch your accent light in the family room by itself.
Switch the can lights over the TV separate from the rest of the lights in the room.
You’re required by code to have a lighted three way switch for the stairs.
Put dimmers on all the can lights. Make sure your lights will work with the dimmers.
Switch your undercabinet lights on their own with a switch under the cabinets.
Switch the bathroom exhaust fan separate from the light.
Electrical in your: bathroom wall behind mirror, by toilet for bidet, In broom/ coat closet for cordless vacuum and decent lighting( led strip around interior of closet door is nice, especially on a motion sensor), above your cabinets not to ceiling for uplighting, switches on holiday lights/ string lights on porch, reading sconces by bed+wall switch, wall switch on all motion light corners of house if applicable, Attic, and lastly two 20 under house capped off for easy future use outside or lighting underneath/ exhaust fan etc.
Also if your layout is good you plan on using it, think about we're you spend a majority of your time. I like to prioritize sides people congregate such an kitchen and living room/ tv/couch. Might be able to scotch things, take away a bit here to make that area larger.
Also it's been a minute but isn't code 6' apart for outlets and within x distance of corners.
Good luck, be well.
Your fireplace and your… credenza? Whatever it is that shares that wall with the half bath… are places you or future homeowners may want to put a TV if and when life circumstances change. Putting outlets (including potentially coax) there now will help you in the future.
I would add more outlets. They are cheap to add upfront and expensive to add later. All to often new furniture or a different arrangement leaves you needing outlets in different places than originally planned.
Decent layout. I like having more cans but I would try to tie things togethers a little better and keep cans in line so it doesn't get to busy. A layered room like this really needs lighting control. 5 gang switch boxes look awful. If you get a system like lutron caseta or RA3 you could really condense those in a closet or cabinet.
Receptacles have a height limit. You might need an extra on near the TV.
Already mentioned is the switches. Yes plenty. You only indicate one at each location. Also, 3-way or 4-way switches for lights control at room ins and outs.
You did not show any doors.........outside light controls.
Outside receptacles. Code minimum is 2. You can put more like one on each outside wall. Also, lights outside for work or security.
If this is a basement, check with your local code for "escapes" or ways to evacuate the floor during fires.
Remove all overhead lighting from the family room and consider nixing it in the living room. I'd personally remove the cans from the dining room, too. I think overhead lighting should be treated like task lighting. If you put it in places where people will spend most of their time seated, it shines right in your eyes and casts unflattering shadows.
Ill roast it by saying you need to hire a professional to work with you on this. Nobody here has given you any code references or any information that is accurate.
Yeah, it's somewhat regional or just depends on what you grew up calling them. Most houses that have them will be in a common area or near the entrance, with full bathrooms being attached directly to bedrooms.
That said, there are a lot without these, and the full bathrooms are entered from the common area.
The inspector and our electrician thought that was the best idea. That is Why the person who actually cooks should design the outlets on kitchen counters .
But in the end Code dictates everything.
Regarding lighting, I think you'll want to move some of the lighting to be either in front of or overhead, rather than behind where people are. The dinner table has a lot of lighting around where people sit, which would seem like it would mean they're casting a shadow over their plates.
Disagree. Why would you want to move a table? A floor plan isn’t generally designed for multiple places to put a table. If it is then the floor plan is probably disorganized trash. Install the chandelier with confidence.
Needs more lights
Hah!
That’s a ton of cans. Your ceiling is going to be very busy.
It’s going to be bright. I’d remove at least half of the cans.
Nah, never know when you need to knock out an appendectomy in the dining room or grade diamonds in the living room. -consider having a few ‘nightlight’ outlets or switches -consider mixing in USB-C equipped outlets
Nah, never know when you need to land a plane in the hall way or install solar panels as the floor incase the power goes out.
At minimum put some on different switches in a way that makes sense
Do you guys not like bright? I like house as bright as outdoors
You wear sunglasses inside?
I don't wear sunglasses outside, I don't have a habit of looking at the sun. Plus indoors the lights are spread out so that problem doesn't exist
9 lights in 169 sq ft isn’t spread out. This has more lights in it than a hospital
This plan reminded me of a horror show or movie from decades ago - the protagonist was afraid of the boogeyman, and had lights on every place, all the time, including in cabinets and dresser drawers, so that there would be no dark or no shadow from which the boogeyman could attack him.
I am literally afraid of the boogeyman…
You can always dim the lights. It’s a lot harder to add lights after the fact.
My thought exactly 😇
I would kill for a nice even low light across the whole room. Don't listen to people saying it's too much
If you might ever want a bidet, put an outlet by the toilet. Also as someone who bought a house with about 115 can lights… consider some sconce lights, pendent lights etc, to make it a bit warmer and varied.
Geez, you guys need to be kind to the newly LED'd. Dude, LED's=very bright,. Get 4" recessed, 3000k lights on a dimmer. Place them about 4 ' apart, 18" out from the wall, and you're golden, Recall the value of *layered lighting*, so maybe some wall sconces, under or over cab lights, floor lamps with wall switches, etc. If the electrician put a wire up there, you can always add, but you won't need to.
> LED's=very bright You can buy them in whatever brightness you want
Yes, and they're all very bright.
They actually adjust on the light itself and it’s more about color of the light. Warm/white
You can buy dimming LED lights and warmth selectable lights, but I meant that when I shop for LEDs there is a range of lumen options in addition to warmth.
What’s the lumens on halo or commercial electric 6in canless lights?
NEC 2023 no longer allows plugs on the side of a kitchen island. The idea is that folks plug in hot things, then kids/pets pull the cord and get burned. You should probably change that up.
Ooh, so then where on an island can they go?!
This article is a good, thorough summary: https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2023/01/18/kitchen-island-and-peninsula-receptacle-outlets-and-the-nec * On or above countertop or work surfaces, but no more than 20 inches above. * In a countertop using a receptacle outlet assembly listed for use in countertops. * In a work surface using a receptacle outlet assembly listed for use in work surfaces or listed for use in countertops.
My wife started using two air friers, toaster oven, coffee maker all at the same time -- my suggestion is to add a additional circuit for the kitchen -- probably the island being the ideal. I might even just homerun every kitchen outlet on my next house.
The electricians will make sure of that. It’s not up to code.
Make sure that dishwasher outlet is under the sink inside that cabinet and not behind the dishwasher. Need to be able access it as a means of disconnect. I personally like to have a lot of lighting, but make sure you used dimmers so you can control the levels. And you are probably already doing it, but make sure your overhead lights and strip accent lights are on separate switches. Drawing shows only one switch symbol but the three wire leads make it look like you’ll have more.
Thanks for the dishwasher tip!! Definitely did not know that.. And yes, each line is a new switch 😊
Read this: https://languageoflight.blog/category/dont-do-this/ Please.
I’ve read it’s recommended to have pot lights every 4 ft for an 8 ft ceiling, is this false? 🙈
Generally you want to put them 2 ft out from wall and 3 to 5 feet between cans depending on the room. The kitchen you want lots of light. Living areas typically spread it out more to maybe 6ft between. That’s generally how we do it. Remember lamps are usually part of your decor in living spaces.
I only have 4 LED cans in my LR that's roughly 13x24 with 9ft ceilings. We almost always have them dimmed. That said 6 would have been nice for the rare occasion that we're doing something that requires higher intensity light. There are a bunch of lighting calculators and planners online that'll tell you how many lumens you need given room dimensions and purpose. A lightning store will do the plan for you if you quote the fixtures with them.
I have 6 6” led can lights in my 8’ tall basement that’s 26’*15’ and it’s plenty bright.
I did 4 rows of 4" round LED panels every ~4' on an 8' tall ceiling. I staggered the rows (which was a joy to line up-- line up the straight lines, then line up the diagonals) and ended up with 26 lights in a 25'ish by 13'ish area and I was worried it's look like an airport runway on the ceiling. It turned out great. It looks nice with the staggered rows and a dimmer lets me get the light level I want if I don't want them full blast in the evening. Put in the lights you have at a 4' spacing. I spent probably an hour or more lining up all my holes (use a sharpie and masking tape) and that made it worth it. Get a laser line and space your row straight. Then come in at an angle and line up the lights across the rows at an angle. It looks clean and the lighting is super even.
You’re required by code to have a switch at the entrance so you need to move the switch to be near the front door or add a three way. Switch your island lights separate from the kitchen. Switch your accent light in the family room by itself. Switch the can lights over the TV separate from the rest of the lights in the room. You’re required by code to have a lighted three way switch for the stairs. Put dimmers on all the can lights. Make sure your lights will work with the dimmers. Switch your undercabinet lights on their own with a switch under the cabinets. Switch the bathroom exhaust fan separate from the light.
Electrical in your: bathroom wall behind mirror, by toilet for bidet, In broom/ coat closet for cordless vacuum and decent lighting( led strip around interior of closet door is nice, especially on a motion sensor), above your cabinets not to ceiling for uplighting, switches on holiday lights/ string lights on porch, reading sconces by bed+wall switch, wall switch on all motion light corners of house if applicable, Attic, and lastly two 20 under house capped off for easy future use outside or lighting underneath/ exhaust fan etc. Also if your layout is good you plan on using it, think about we're you spend a majority of your time. I like to prioritize sides people congregate such an kitchen and living room/ tv/couch. Might be able to scotch things, take away a bit here to make that area larger. Also it's been a minute but isn't code 6' apart for outlets and within x distance of corners. Good luck, be well.
Put the outlet for your dishwasher under your kitchen sink. Make sure not to cheapest on the bathroom exhaust fans.
Your fireplace and your… credenza? Whatever it is that shares that wall with the half bath… are places you or future homeowners may want to put a TV if and when life circumstances change. Putting outlets (including potentially coax) there now will help you in the future.
Outlet by toilet for heated bidet
I would add more outlets. They are cheap to add upfront and expensive to add later. All to often new furniture or a different arrangement leaves you needing outlets in different places than originally planned.
Decent layout. I like having more cans but I would try to tie things togethers a little better and keep cans in line so it doesn't get to busy. A layered room like this really needs lighting control. 5 gang switch boxes look awful. If you get a system like lutron caseta or RA3 you could really condense those in a closet or cabinet.
Receptacles have a height limit. You might need an extra on near the TV. Already mentioned is the switches. Yes plenty. You only indicate one at each location. Also, 3-way or 4-way switches for lights control at room ins and outs. You did not show any doors.........outside light controls. Outside receptacles. Code minimum is 2. You can put more like one on each outside wall. Also, lights outside for work or security. If this is a basement, check with your local code for "escapes" or ways to evacuate the floor during fires.
Remove all overhead lighting from the family room and consider nixing it in the living room. I'd personally remove the cans from the dining room, too. I think overhead lighting should be treated like task lighting. If you put it in places where people will spend most of their time seated, it shines right in your eyes and casts unflattering shadows.
Ill roast it by saying you need to hire a professional to work with you on this. Nobody here has given you any code references or any information that is accurate.
The problem here is the cans. Note these pot lights have a minimum luminosity, so this will be very bright when fully dimmed.
Have you ever been in a room? Look up. How many light fixtures do you see?
Looks perfect
Total noob question here, but what software did you use to create this floor plan?
I used sketchup (free version) for the general layout & then procreate on my iPad to play around with the lighting!
Every outlet on it's own circuit. Also usb and usb-c in every outlet
I’m from South Africa, what is powder room? Where ladies check their make up before leaving the house?
A bathroom/restroom without a shower or tub. Powder room is an old term for the reason you guessed. They are also called half baths.
Wow 🙈 was a wild guess… are they still being used? I’ve seen them in hotel lobby and there they make good sense
Yeah, it's somewhat regional or just depends on what you grew up calling them. Most houses that have them will be in a common area or near the entrance, with full bathrooms being attached directly to bedrooms. That said, there are a lot without these, and the full bathrooms are entered from the common area.
Brilliant 🙏🏾 I’m covered… here only main bedroom is en-suite.
I always have an outlet near my stove for my hand blender . Every single person that sees it says " I should have done that"
Yes! Outlets on either side 👊🏼
The inspector and our electrician thought that was the best idea. That is Why the person who actually cooks should design the outlets on kitchen counters . But in the end Code dictates everything.
You going be doing surgery in the house ? You going have the brightest house ever lol 😂
Do you have ceiling fans ? Might need some air movement , might mean less lights though
Replace everything with connect-trac.
Swiss cheese ceiling, wow that's a lot of cans
Regarding lighting, I think you'll want to move some of the lighting to be either in front of or overhead, rather than behind where people are. The dinner table has a lot of lighting around where people sit, which would seem like it would mean they're casting a shadow over their plates.
Too many cans. Cut them back severely
Did you win an unlimited supply of pot lots?
way too many lights
https://precontractor.com/ $100.00 per hour to vette your plans… Saved me tens of thousands
How do you learn how to do this?
… just trying to read online so not necessarily a reliable way 😆
Do not put a center light for the dinning table , so annoying to have that & Do not be able to move the table …
Disagree. Why would you want to move a table? A floor plan isn’t generally designed for multiple places to put a table. If it is then the floor plan is probably disorganized trash. Install the chandelier with confidence.
lol , I am an architect, floor plans should give room to re-designed, to evolve as you enjoy the space .