Until recently, electricians installed electrical outlets only on walls. Wall outlets must be attached to a stud, which limits where they can be installed. Floor outlets, also known as drop-ins or poke-throughs, can go anywhere on a floor. Would you like to learn more about the advantages of floor outlets? Keep reading!

Most Popular Rooms for Floor Outlets

Floor outlets can be installed in any room, but they are much more convenient to have in certain rooms in your home. Living rooms are by far the most common room to have floor outlets because people spend a significant amount of time there. People are embracing open-concept spaces, and while they look amazing, arranging furniture in them can be tricky. Floor outlets allow you to place your primary seating anywhere in the room.

Bedrooms are the second most popular room for floor outlets because they feature several pieces of large furniture blocking access to wall outlets. A few well-placed outlets on the floor make it easy to plug in bedside lamps and chargers for phones and tablets. This type of outlet also eliminates the need to stretch cords across the floor for a cleaner aesthetic. It also reduces the trip hazard posed by most electrical cords.

If you have a home office, floor outlets will make your life much more convenient. You can place your computer and other electronics anywhere on the surface of a large desk instead of the corner or edge so the cord can reach the wall outlet. Floor outlets also allow you to place filing cabinets and other office furniture where it’s convenient without worrying about blocking wall outlets.

Installing Floor Outlets

New builds often have floor outlets as part of the original design, but they can be installed in older homes, as well. If you decide to add floor outlets to your home, it’s essential to have a skilled contractor cut the floor, especially if your floors are hardwood, because there’s no margin for error. A contractor can likely install the outlet but leave the wiring to a professional electrician because there’s even less margin for error in that area.

Floor Outlets & Safety

Anything that involves electric currents has the potential to be dangerous. Floor outlets come with covers that should always be in place when the outlet is not in use. This prevents debris from falling into the outlet and young curious kids from sticking objects into it. It’s important to leave a minimum of three inches of space between the outlet and any furniture or other item above it. This clearance helps prevent the outlet from overheating, which can cause short circuits and electrical fires.

Contact Us

Are you thinking about adding floor outlets to your home? Give us a call at (859) 252-2892, or send us a message on our website. We’ve provided the Lexington, KY, area with quality electrical work and voice data communications since 1976. Electrical problems don’t always happen during regular business hours, so we offer 24/7 emergency service. Walker Electric is happy to serve Fayette County, Lexington, Frankfort, Richmond, Georgetown, and the surrounding counties.