Whether you’re planning a new build or upgrading your existing home, considering the following upgrades can add value to your home, improve your lifestyle, and personalise your home to suit your needs. Often, factors that can make the biggest difference in terms of convenience, saving money, increasing security, and reducing energy are overlooked during the build stage, such as lighting options, outlet placement, and home security options.
1. Lighting Upgrades
Dimmers are fantastic as they give you the option of flexibility to adjust the softness of your lighting depending on the time of day or occasion. They are a simple upgrade that can add a level of luxury and can improve the feeling of a space. And as a bonus, using dimmers can reduce your energy usage by up to 20%.
Strip lighting is another fantastic, easy lighting upgrade to make in your home. LED strip lights are versatile and can be used to add a sleek yet subtle design feature to your home while adding light to dark spaces. Strip lighting can be used in many creative ways. We see some of our clients use LED strip lights in kitchens (to light splash backs, cabinets and pantries), in bathrooms, in wardrobe/dressing areas, and even bookshelves to add an extra touch.
LED Lights are an electrical consideration/upgrade highly recommended by our team at Ehlerth Electrical. Investing in LED lights can reduce your energy usage by 85% as they are more durable and use eco-friendly. They look great in your home or office and offer a high level of control when it comes to lighting choices and are durable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Motion Lights can save you money by reducing your energy usage as the lights will only be in use when motion is detected. We recommend using motion lights in spaces such as your garage, hallway, outdoors, or basement/attic spaces for convenience. No longer will you have to fumble around looking for a light switch when you have your hands full, and you can save against unnecessary energy wastage from lights being left on accidentally. Motion lights outdoors are an essential investment not only for convenience but for added security, as they can help deter crime by making intruders visible/startling them.
2. Lightswitch / Outlet placement
With new builds in particular, you have the option to plan for convenience and suit your lifestyle when it comes to the placement options of light switches and power outlets in your home. Below are a few light switch and outlet placement options you may not have considered that could suit your lifestyle and needs, personalise your space, and add value to your home.
On your bedside. Any lights that don’t fit on your bedside table, or to save space on your table altogether with hanging pendant lights/ceiling lights in your bedroom, consider a light switch next to your bedside to be able to turn off your lights without getting out of bed. A wall outlet next to your bedside is a must-have as well – consider USB outlets so you can plug cords directly into the outlet as well.
Christmas decorations. If you are a fan of holiday decorations, plan for convenience by ensuring you have outlets in spots where you plan to have your Christmas tree/lights, etc. We recommended outlets recessed into bookcases, in-ground outlets near the base of the tree, on the mantelpiece and consider having these outlets on the same circuit to be switched on/off at once.
Bathrooms. Consider how many appliances you would use in your bathroom to ensure there are enough outlets in your space to allow for this. If you’re attuned to use your phone in the bathroom a lot while getting ready, you may consider a USB outlet or an extra wall outlet to charge your phone too. If you have electric toothbrushes or other appliances that require charging, consider outlets in under-sink cabinets in the bathroom too.
3. Advanced Home Safety and Security
Home security smart home automations are sought-after features that can add value to your home, and of course the extra security will give you and your family an added peace of mind. Consider upgrades or inclusions for your home as part of your new build such as security cameras, doors/gates that can be locked remotely using a phone (as well as with a combination code), and systems that can notify you if there is a leak.
For more advice on electrical upgrades for your home as part of a new build, reach out to Ehlerth Electrical here.
