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Electrical outlet placement

4 years ago

Can anyone tell me if the placement of the electrical outlet above our mantel is typical? Our contractor knew that we never intended to mount a television here, but we wanted it included for any future homebuyer. I want to place a round mirror here but I can’t buy one big enough to cover up the outlet.

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User

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

IMO a rectangular mirror would look much better, Better yet, have the receptacle moved or removed. Its highly unlikely anyone would want a TV that small and that high.

If the shelves are wide enough, that would be a better location for a TV.

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Comments (10)

Matt McLagan
4 years ago
It's along side a stud. It could've been higher, but then it might have been weird using it for something other than a TV.

I think it's easily covered with some decorations on the mantel, and then hang a mirror or art nicely spaced above the mantel.
chispa
4 years ago
I don't think there is a "typical" location. It would depend on what type/size TV was being mounted. What articulating TV bracket might be used, what other components might need to be included, etc, etc.

I would have expected it to be placed a bit higher to be hidden by the TV, but you should never leave some of these decision to someone else who can't read your mind and might not care if cords/plugs are exposed and very visible.

Either you live with it and get a squared mirror/painting or you pay someone to move the outlet.
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Bruce in Northern Virginia
4 years ago
We have had mantel electrical receptacles in two houses, and they were both in the horizontal surface of the mantel very close to the back. They were not visible unless something was plugged in.

They really screwed up the balance of your wall design by sticking that large receptacle box right in the middle.

Bruce
nini804
4 years ago
I’d remove it if you don’t need it for a TV. It ruins your gorgeous fireplace. A future buyer probably won’t even realize it until after they buy it. And they can certainly have one added exactly where they want it.
kudzu9
4 years ago
It won't be easy to remove. First there is the matter of the work involved in removing the paneling and replacing it. Further, you can't just bury the box and/or live wires behind new paneling. In order to abandon the wires running to the box, you'd have to disconnect them from the power source without screwing up other receptacles nearby. Given the complexity of this, I'd argue for a rectangular mirror, or some object you can set on the mantel that is large enough to hide the receptacle.
worthy
4 years ago

A mirrored firebox?
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
4 years ago
Twice the fire for half the smoke.
PRO
Technospeak Corporation
4 years ago
So it depends on where the power is coming in for the TV. There is no standard for this and the contractor very well good have been thinking of a TV whose power cord is a bit lower. The could have also been thinking about mounting a soundbar below the TV as well. Looks as if he or she also pre-wired for a Audio/Video cabling for the TV which is what the blank decora insert on the right is for. It wasn't a bad call to be quite honest if that is what you are asking.
Lindsey_CA
4 years ago
You've already moved in, and have an oval mirror (which we can see leaning up against the firebox with your legs reflected in it). Why didn't you bring up your concern when the house was still in the construction phase, when it could have been fixed more easily?

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