Electrical outlets /Christmas lights

11 years ago

I was driving home tonight around 5:00-5:30, and I saw a house with much the same shape as the one we're planning: Country house or Cape Cod with dormers on a steep roof. The house was lit up with Christmas lights, and they had a lighted wreath on each of the three dormers.

I LOVED IT, and it made me think, "I've gotta put electrical outlets by those dormers. Here's the thing: Our dormers will face the front of the house, but they'll be in an attic. So, here are my questions:

- To be able to hang a roof or place a candle in a dormer window, can I have outlets in an attic? I have no outlets in my current attic, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.

- Or should I have outlets outside, essentially on the roof? This sounds like more trouble, but we'd have to open up the windows to hang a wreath anyway.

And I already know what y'all're gonna say: Install a switch downstairs so we can turn the lights on /off without going upstairs into the attic. Good advice!

And another question: Who else considers the placement of Christmas lights when planning the house or remodel? I do! I have to know that my Christmas tree'll have a good spot, and I will absolutely be planting at least one live Christmas tree outside.

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Comments (10)

mtnrdredux_gw
11 years ago
we have floor outlets in part for christmas trees
mtnrdredux_gw
11 years ago
we have floor outlets in part for christmas trees
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I'm in the planning stages but have put tons of thought into this. Hopefully I won't have to tweak it too much when I do the framing walkthrough. (You really should walk though the framed house before finalizing the locations.) No Christmas package (don't decorate for holidays) or intercom. Outlets at a few locations specifically for nighlights (in bathrooms and in hallways) so we don't have to flip on the overhead lights in order to use the facilities in the middle of the night. Switch for the bathroom fan between the toilet and the vanity (instead of with the other switches near the door) so that it is accessible from the toilet and standing in front of the vanity. Duplex outlets near the TV area. Duplex outlet mounted higher on the wall than normal for the main phone area which will be a nich in the wall. Duplex outlets to either side of all potential bed headboards. Oulets dedicated for cell phone charging in an elevated nich. Duplex outlet, tv cable (for internet) and phone (for fax) anywhere that I plan to (or even might) have a computer. Outlet immediately beside the loft railing in case we ever want to put lights across the railing we can plug them in without a tripping hazzard. Although we probably won't need them, I am putting one oulet just inside each WIC. In my workshop, I'll put an outlet 5' high so that I can put a shelf under it to hold a small radio and clock but still be able to put tables or work space under it. Outlets closer together than Code requires so that it's more convenient. Switches for a room at EVERY entrance into that room. (Our current house doesn't have switches at every entrance and it's a pain.) We will have a small vestibule (for guest entry) and small mudroom for our entry from the garden that are beside each other. Their lights will be on the same switch so that when we walk from outside, into the mudroom, into the entry (from interior access) and then finially into the main house we don't have to flip lights on and off every few steps. Just once when we enter the mudroom and again when we enter the main house. Don't forget electrical service for any undercabinet lights. There are past threads about outlets that are mounted so that they are accessible from inside cabinet drawers so that clothing irons or hairdryers can be left plugged in all of the time and stored in the drawers. I'm considering that, too. In a similar manner, outlet inside of mixer lifter kitchen cabinet for mixer. Outlets and switch for pendant lights on the kitchen island. Outlet for microwave that will be raised above countertop height. Exterior grade outlets at multiple places outside that are easily accessible from the porch and patio areas (not for Christmas lights). Outlet at attic access incase I need to plug in a light there since we will have minimal lighting there.
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mtnrdredux_gw
11 years ago
we have floor outlets in part for christmas trees
Laura517
11 years ago
Mrs. Pete
We are already thinking about outlets for Christmas lights, tree and wreath and the foundation was just poured 2 weeks ago on our new build!
I also want to hang lighted garland on our future lightpost by front walkway so will be planning an outlet there as well.
athensmomof3
11 years ago
You definitely need to think through Christmas! I have my tree where I thought I would put it when we built. It may stay there but it won't be convenient for Christmas morning . . . presents will have to be walked around the sofa. No big deal because the kids presents from Santa are always by the fireplace but the adult presents and any presents to kids not from Santa go under the tree.

The one thing I do LOVE about where my tree is now is it is in our family room, so I can see it from part of the kitchen, but we also have a direct sight line from the front door thru to the family room so you can see the lit up Christmas tree from outside :)

I love seeing trees through windows but I have never had a house where you can see the tree and it can be enjoyed on a daily basis (i.e., not in living room or dining room).

As far as lights go, no idea, but I don't see why you can't put outlets in an attic - you put light switches there.

We considered doing a switch for the Christmas tree plug but I found I like the remote control thing better. Bought one years ago at WalMart and I keep the remote in the kitchen and can turn on the tree from anywhere on the first floor. . .
crazy_in_mason
11 years ago
I have outlets for my christmas lights presently outside. You place them in the soffit on the underside of the roof. They are up to code. They are connected to a switch in one of my closets. I never go outside to turn on the lights.
Annie Deighnaugh
11 years ago
I thought of it, and then somehow forgot with everything, and now sorry I did forget, to put an outlet on the side of the fireplace mantel for xmas decor....
mrspete
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, I also like to see a tree on the front side of the house! I have that in my present house.

In my new house, the family room tree will be visible from the kitchen. I'm going to like that.

I like the idea of putting the "holiday lights outlet" inside a closet. I was thinking of putting it behind the front door (to prevent it from being a nuissance all the time -- "What does this switch do?"), but I like inside a closet better.

A Christmas morning thing I always wanted to do, but have never had the right doorways: I have always wanted to put out the kids' presents, then "wrap" the doorway so they'd have to "break through" the paper to get to their presents. It would also prevent any sneaky-sneaky early wakers. I think it would've been such a neat thing for them to do, but I've always lived in open-floorplan houses without the right kind of doorways.
motherof3sons
11 years ago
I have two outlets in our mantle. Its too bad I was not wise enough to put them on a switch because the mantle is tall! We included many outside receptacles on every side of the house. What we did not include are receptacles in the gables. The result is strategically placed electrical cords from the large wreath down to the outlet.
andi_k
11 years ago
We did exterior outlets linked to switches on the inside of the house. Best thing ever! No more going outside late at night in the cold to turn them off!

Electrical outlets /Christmas lights

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mtnrdredux_gw

mtnrdredux_gw

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Electrical outlets /Christmas lights

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