5 unusual ways to decorate and hide sockets beautifully

Kitchen

It is necessary to close the outlet points in the kitchen for several reasons:

• so that they do not interfere;
• so that water does not get on them (concerns sockets located near the sink on the kitchen apron);

In both cases, the most correct and modern solution would be to install a retractable outlet in the countertop.With this design, you can not only hide power sources that are not used at a certain moment, but also save a beautiful interior in the kitchen. The photo below shows examples of disguise:

In addition, if the connection points are installed near the sink, you can close them from water using a special case with a protective cover. In this case, water will not enter the connectors if a plug is not inserted into them.

You can also hide the sockets in the kitchen, for example, in a drawer or inside a cabinet. The second option is perfect for hiding the connection point of the oven or hob. To connect the hood and hide the wires from it, just place the socket inside the cabinet, as in the photo:

Tips, ways to hide wires in the workplace

In the home office, to make it look neat, the laces coming from the computer, the router also need to be removed. A clerical clip will allow you to “put in” a cord that gets tangled under your feet, under the surface of the table - from its very edge. The clip is easy to fix on a wall, a shelf, and several of these parts make a kind of separators for the inputs of different charges. If possible, the wires hanging around the back of the table are simply curtained with a textile curtain. Some of them can be arranged in a mini-hammock - the “head” of the extension cord can easily be placed there along with chargers that interfere strongly on the table.

Some companies produce special wire separators - two or more cords are neatly laid inside a wooden, plastic, rubber or metal structure. A cool store option for holding wires, looks like two wire electric towers.Pockets made of plastic bottles, clothing pockets look funny - the product is hung on an outlet in the wall, charging is turned on, and the phone itself and the cord from it lie quietly in the pocket.

On the street

You also need to know how to cover outdoor sockets from rain. If you are planning to organize several electrical points for the street, then remember that in this case you need to take good care of their safety. To hide sockets from adverse conditions, a special box can help, which will have a degree of protection IP67.

If you plan to use a plastic bottle to protect the outlet from rain, then remember that we do not recommend doing this. In this case, you may experience an electric shock while using your product. In extreme cases, it will be possible to use such structures only if the socket has additional protection against moisture.

If necessary, you can also watch an interesting video about what ideas exist for masking outlets.

Now you know exactly how to hide outlets in the kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom. We hope that thanks to our information now you will pick up something interesting for yourself.

Conceptual features of the placement of sockets

According to frequently used European standards, power supplies for electrical appliances and electronic devices must be installed at least 15 cm from the floor, do not forget that in this case, small children and animals get open access to them.

Adhering to the most important safety rules and regulations the correct location of sockets is carried out at the level of a raised hand, which can significantly affect the concept of stylistic design of a living room for any purpose.

It is preliminary recommended to develop an individual plan for the distribution of power sources for each room in the apartment, which will take into account all the features of individual rooms:
hallway or hallway.

No more than one socket can be provided for the corridor, which is used in case of emergency or for connecting an electric dryer for wet shoes.

Bathroom and toilet. The power sources are located next to the hair dryer mirror and in close proximity to the washing machine, ensuring its constant performance.

Living room or common room. First you need to accurately determine the planned location of the TV and tuner, wall sconces or floor lamps installed on the floor, 3-4 separate slots are enough.

Kitchen or dining area. In such dedicated areas, the installation height of the sockets plays an important role, for increased security, 2-3 sockets with a protective housing are mounted.

Bedroom or boudoir. Sockets are effectively distributed on both sides of the bed, to provide easy and comfortable access to them when turning on additional lamps or installing gadgets for charging.

Children's or playroom. For these premises, power sources with specialized protection are selected; they must be located outside the reach of children, at the level of the shoulders of an adult.

Special attention must be paid to the socket, which is intended to power air purification systems or air conditioners, due to the specifics of their installation, power supplies are mounted 30 cm below the ceiling.

How to disguise

Turn rosettes into a painting or composition

Why not make an animal face? For example, the socket looks like a piglet, so you can draw eyes, ears, and more around it. This method is more suitable for decorating children's rooms.

Use designer models

If you can't hide the sockets, try to find models with an unusual design, for example, imitating a gold, silver or wooden surface.

Decorate with stickers

Black and white wall decals are very popular right now. They are also suitable for decorating sockets, for example, stickers of a sitting cat or bird, stickers of a robot whose body becomes the socket itself, patterns. So, an interesting story is created, and the interior becomes more relaxed.

Come up with something creative

Using wood and glue, create a small door that will hide the outlet. To make it, it is not necessary to have any skills - the creation process is very simple. And this version looks original.

Play with contrasts

For those who use 1 main color for furniture and another color for decor: design rosettes in the color of decor. So, you support the color scheme, place accents and make the sockets part of the whole.

Remember: the design of sockets should not interfere with their work, reduce functionality. Do not forget about safety requirements.

How to choose an outlet

Numerous characteristics and installation methods must be taken into account when choosing products for certain premises, for specific equipment.

By voltage

The main parameters by which it is necessary to choose a device are the current and voltage of electrical appliances. Previously, almost all products were produced with the expectation of a current of 6A and a voltage of 220-230V. And if such an outlet was used to connect several devices, then fire and melting of the case often occurred.

In modern apartments, the number of household appliances has increased significantly, and the technical characteristics of the appliances have changed. Therefore, manufacturers began to produce more powerful sockets. It is recommended to install products designed for a current of 10 or 16A.

By number of seats

Sometimes it is advisable to mount a socket block at one point. The number of "seats" can vary from two to four. It is advisable to place such models near desktops, on the wall behind the TV or in the working area in the kitchen.

Mounting method

The choice of how to install the outlet is determined not only by the style of the interior, but depends primarily on the wiring option:

• when installing wiring of a hidden type, an internal (hidden) socket is installed. At the same time, the core of the products is hidden in the wall, and only a special overlay is left on top;
• the overhead model goes well with open wiring. To make the product look aesthetically pleasing, manufacturers produce sockets of various beautiful shades of minimalist design. It is necessary to carefully choose the location so that no one touches the protruding body.

If there is a need to install a socket at the baseboard or in the floor, then floor mounting is used. You can install a retractable device in an apartment and a private house. Naturally, the electrical wiring is hidden in the floor.The original idea is to arrange a similar outlet in the kitchen worktop.

By connector

Many countries use sockets with different connectors. About 15 types are known

Naturally, today, when buying equipment, it is necessary first of all to pay attention to the shape of the fork (in addition to performance characteristics)

Manufacturers have taken into account possible difficulties and therefore there are all kinds of adapters on sale that solve the problem of matching plugs and connectors.

No. 2. Which socket to choose: the degree of protection of the housing

Even a child understands that the outlet is a source of increased danger. Adults might add that contact with water can be disastrous. So now, do not use sockets or at all? What then to do in pools and other premises where contact with water cannot be avoided? In this case, protective sockets have been developed, the housing of which can prevent the negative effects of moisture and dust.

When choosing an outlet, you should definitely pay attention to the degree of protection against moisture and the ingress of small objects.

, which is indicated in the marking with the letters IP followed by two numbers.

The first digit indicates how much the socket protected from foreign objects:

• 0 - no protection;
• 1 - protection against objects larger than 50 mm;
• 2 - protection against objects larger than 12 mm;
• 3 - protection against objects larger than 2.5 mm;
• 4 - protected from objects larger than 1 mm;
• 5 - protection against small particles, incl. from dust;
• 6 - absolute dust tightness.

The second number indicates degree of protection against moisture:

• 0 - no protection;
• 1 - protection against drops falling from above;
• 2 - protection against drops falling not only strictly from above, but also at an angle of 15 degrees;
• 3 - protection against splashes that fall at an angle of 60 degrees, incl. from the rain;
• 4 - protection against splashes that fall at different angles;
• 5 - protection against water jets;
• 6 - protection against a powerful jet of water;
• 7 - protection for short-term immersion in water;
• 8 - protection during long immersion in water.

The choice of socket depends on where will it be used

, and what impacts are expected on it. For example, an IP 20 socket is suitable for living rooms, IP 44 for a bathroom, although some advise taking IP 45, and for the street it is worth looking at an IP 65 socket.

How to hide TV wires on the wall

We will not reinvent the wheel, but simply use ready-made solutions on how to remove TV wires on the wall. They take into account not only the aesthetic side of the issue, but also competent technical implementation:

1. Laying wires in strobes.
2. Hiding cords behind interior items.
3. Use of cable channels.
4. Wire decor on the wall.
5. Combination of methods.

A safe, but time-consuming and costly way to close the cord is to hide it inside the wall.

If the wall is concrete

The main and most reliable way to hide television wires on a concrete surface is chasing. It must be said right away that when performing such work, a lot of dust is generated, so the method is acceptable for the initial stage of apartment renovation. Chasing is the laying of mounting channels for hidden wiring in the thickness of concrete mechanically using a puncher and special milling crowns for an electric drill.

It is desirable to lay electrical wiring at the stage of repair, it is better - the layout of the room.

Before you lay the strobes, you need to determine in advance the places where they will pass. The number and purpose of the cables that will be masked in them. Designate the entry and exit points of the wiring from the wall, the location of the junction boxes and sockets. In order not to damage the previously laid, hidden wiring, you need a wire detection detector in the wall. It is desirable to lay strobes on a concrete surface in vertical and horizontal directions.

As long as the walls are bare, there is no decor on them, the destruction will be minimal.

Drywall wall

Hiding TV cables under a drywall surface is much easier and faster than in concrete.

Installation of electrical wiring under drywall is much easier than in concrete.

Suppose that the TV mount to the wall is already installed, it remains to bring the wires:

1. We mark on the drywall the location of the TV, sockets for it and the cable exit.
2. We cut technological holes for installing sockets.
3. We take a nylon cord, fix a nut on its end and run it behind the drywall from the top hole to the bottom.
4. Using electrical tape, we attach the cable to the cord and, pulling the cord gently by the upper end, lay the cable in place.

With a horizontal laying direction, the wire is tightened in the same way using wire.

It is required to lay the cord in a special corrugated pipe, which has a fire safety certificate.

Masking with a cable channel

The apartment has a fresh renovation, an updated interior, plasma on the wall and creeping wires to it - the picture is so-so. How to decorate the wires from the TV on the wall without destruction and dust.Here, by the way, there will be special channels for wiring over the wall.

The plastic channels where the cord is inserted are called cable channels.

Today, such tools for laying electrical communications are presented in a huge assortment, from ordinary plastic boxes to room decor elements, to the taste of the most demanding customer. Mounting such channels on the wall surface will not cause any particular difficulties; this can be done using dowels, self-tapping screws or "liquid nails".

This is one of the most convenient options for hiding electrical wires, used after the completion of finishing work.

Disguise with furniture

Hiding the wires for connecting the TV behind furniture or its elements is probably the simplest solution to the issue, of all possible. Moreover, today furniture designed for the installation of household appliances meets the requirements of the time.

Under the TV, you can place a hinged panel with a built-in compartment for wiring, with a closing door.

Many furniture manufacturers equip their products with special technological holes for supplying wires from the back, which is very practical. This approach allows you to remove the cables without damaging the walls and not violating the overall design of the room.

The most common way to hide the cord coming from the TV is to place practical furniture under it.

Where is the best place to place electrical outlets

How to arrange electrical outlets in the house is desirable during its construction or repair. If you are building a new house according to the project, then it will most likely include a layout of outlets for each room.

You can entrust the location of sockets in individual rooms to electricians or negotiate with them based on your needs. It is worthwhile to have a vision of the internal arrangement in advance, as well as a list of devices that you plan to connect to the electrical network in a house or apartment.

Double socket with switch

How to position electrical outlets and plan home lighting? It is best to do this on the interior plan, even if it is drawn by hand - you can conveniently mark all the elements on it and easily make corrections. The location of the lighting is relatively simple - you just need to think about where to place the ceiling lights, and where, perhaps, ceiling lamps and wall sconces or moldings.

The latter are most often used in kitchens and bathrooms, but perhaps you are planning a trendy closet at home or dreaming of original living room lighting. Also consider floor lamps that will need access to outlets. As a standard, light switches are placed near the door - make sure they are located on the side of the sash opening - then access to them will be easier.

For optimal placement of outlets, the following circumstances must be taken into account:

• What electrical appliances will be used in the apartment (consider large electronics and household appliances, computers, lamps, as well as small household appliances that are used);
• In which rooms will individual devices be connected;
• Where the furniture will be placed (sockets behind the furniture are not functional).

Given each of these nuances, you can easily determine the location of outlets and their number in each room.

To install an overhead (external) socket, you do not need to ditch the wall

Exterior decor and interior styles

Consider the methods and techniques of external design of sockets and switches adopted in modern interior design.

It should be noted that when buying a socket, you should immediately take care of how organically this product will fit into the interior of the apartment. It is better to think over the shapes and sizes of products in advance so that you can go to the store purposefully, clearly imagining the final design of your apartment. Otherwise, there is a risk of acquiring the wrong thing.

How to choose an outlet for the most popular interior styles?

Country

If your home or apartment is decorated in this relaxed “rustic” style that values ​​all natural, we recommend purchasing models with eco-friendly leather tops. Leather can be either natural or artificial.

Minimalism

This interior style is very common in the design of modern housing. Laconic products of dark shades are ideal for him: gray, black, beige. The shape of sockets and switches is a square with rounded corners.

High tech

This modern design is complemented by models with a chrome finish or tempered glass, transparent. Touch high-tech switches also fit perfectly into the high-tech style.

Modern

Bright products of a strict geometric shape will perfectly fit into the Art Nouveau interior. The color spectrum is wide: red, yellow and green triangles, squares and circles will fall "to the court" in a similar dwelling.

Loft

This American style, which implies large, deliberately rough spaces, is becoming popular in the megacities of our country. Sockets and switches in the interior of the loft should be made of thick frosted glass, reminiscent of industrial finishes.Models with colored glass and metal finishes will also look quite harmonious.

Ethnic

For this “natural” interior style, the natural origin of materials is very important, so models of sockets and switches stylized as the following materials will best fit into it:

• cherry;
• dark mahogany;
• light maple wood.

In addition, the ethnic style implies various murals and ornaments, therefore, sockets in the ethnic interior can be decorated with a similar decor. Including ceramic and wooden models.

Empire, baroque, rococo

These historical styles imply luxury, wealth, chic and beauty, so they love everything pompous, catchy, reminiscent of the decoration of palaces. The design of sockets and switches should also keep up with the general splendor, so in this case you can use gilded models decorated with rhinestones, stones, elegant decor, and ornaments.

Retro

This interior style implies rounded shapes and rather large sizes, so the sockets in this case should be decent in size: round, square or rectangular.

The switches are designed accordingly and have characteristic small keys. The color of the sockets is neutral, often dull, vintage, with a worn effect.

Electric access points for TVs and computer equipment

It is almost impossible to imagine a modern apartment or house of more or less wealthy people without a TV and a computer. Accordingly, they require separate sockets, and, as a rule, not one, but at least two or three.

The supply is usually carried out in strobes along the walls or ceiling, less often in baseboards (cable channels).In this case, it is necessary to bring not only an ordinary electrical cable, but also an antenna, “twisted pair” (network cable), respectively, and there will be two or three connection points.

In the photo from left to right: two ordinary points, sockets for connecting an antenna cable and twisted pair.

You can arrange a group of nests in different ways, as shown in the diagram (together with dimensions - distances to the floor and corners of the room).

Thus, the height of TV outlets on the wall can be 15…30 cm (if they are located open or behind a TV stand, and 800…1200 mm (if the group is hidden behind a wall-mounted TV or placed next to it).

Home theater users will need even more power outlets. At the same time, in order to avoid confusion of wires, it is better to place groups separately.

With regard to computer scientists, it is even more difficult. Given the number of peripheral outlets, you may need five, seven, ten, or even more. In this case, a special socket for connecting a twisted pair cable will almost certainly come in handy. Often sockets are placed not on the wall, but on a special table or under it, depending on how the equipment is located.

Very convenient in this regard are special racks, table legs, overhead elements with groups of sockets of various types.

At the same time, it is immediately necessary to take into account the need to mask a large number of wires, since, regardless of the location of the sockets on the table or under the table, they simply interfere.

To do this, use cable ties, special fasteners, fasten strips with cable channels, order furniture with prepared places for fastening - in general, there are a lot of options.

Installation of sockets

Depending on which power points will be used, the mounting technique varies in some places.

Installation of plinth sockets

Built-in plinth socket block

To attach a skirting board with a cable channel to the wall, you need to do the work in stages in the following sequence:

• A protective narrow cover covering the box is removed from the top panel of the curb. It is pry off with a screwdriver from the edge.
• Apply the plinth to the wall and, in accordance with the markings (the future location of the outlet), form a tie-in under the socket.
• The plinth is fixed with dowel-nails to the wall.
• Mount the multibox.
• Lay the cable and lead the wires to the outlet.
• It remains to connect them to the terminals.

Lastly, the top cover of the outlet, a decorative protective strip and end caps are placed.

Mounting the power point on the wall

Mounting the plinth socket

In this case, the wires are laid in the cable channels according to the above instructions. But in the intended installation location of the socket, a small cutout is made on the back of the plinth to bring out the cable.

The overhead panel (multibox) is attached to the wall and wires are brought to its terminals.

It remains to fix the upper decorative cover of the power point and put the plugs on the baseboard.

Cable channel over the plinth

If you don’t want to lay wires under the wall curb or wiring is mounted in a wooden house, it's better to just use a cable channel. The box is fixed parallel to the plinth on the dowel-nails. First, the top cover is removed from the channel. After fixing the box, the wiring is laid in it and a protective panel is put on top.

Cable tails lead to a wall outlet.

Crimping female socket: Model No. 2

Now we will talk about the installation and computer socket connectionwhich I installed at home. I took sockets from VIKO, but as I understand it, other companies also use a similar unit.

1. Pull the main unit out of the slot. To do this, press the ears that hold this outlet on the sides. Next, you need to lightly press on the block from the other side and it will come out like clockwork.

1. So, first we look at the pinout diagram. We will crimp according to the scheme "B". If we look at the picture, then the diagram is at the bottom.

1. To crimp, you also do not need any additional tools and everything is done by the top cap. But to lift it, you need to remove the plastic top holder - just pull it up.

1. We install 8 wires according to the colors of the pinout "B" of the scheme:
   • Brown.
   • White-brown.
   • Green.
   • White-green.
   • Blue.
   • White blue.
   • Orange.
   • White-orange.

And now a very important tip about crimping. Some people say to immediately install the wires in the right order and stuff them inside. The problem is that if the wires are not perfectly even, then they can fall out during crimping and stick into the adjacent groove. And someone may not shrink at all, since the knives are far away.

After crimping, do not forget to replace the plastic holder. Then it remains just to insert the main unit with the already crimped cable into the groove until it clicks.

Retractable sockets in furniture elements

Many furniture manufacturers are already installing hidden retractable socket blocks in production, with factory connectors for connecting to wiring. Sometimes this is done at the request of the customer or the customer can do it on their own. All elements for this are sold in specialized furniture centers and electrical goods stores.

Example of installing the Evoline Port unit in a countertop or wall cabinet bottom

Very often there is a need to connect additional household appliances, sockets for which were not previously provided. Perhaps they are often not in demand, but there is a need. To do this, it is very convenient to use retractable factory-made socket blocks, which are carefully disguised in the furniture body and, if necessary, can be easily pulled out.

An essential advantage of modern retractable blocks is the ability to connect smartphones for charging. To do this, they provide special connectors of various standards or a USB connector with the transition to another standard. The blocks can be connected to local computer and telephone networks, USB and RJ45 cords are pulled out of the block at a distance of up to 3 m, when disconnected, the wire automatically folds into the block.

Connecting a laptop to a 220V network and a local Internet network through a pull-out block

Provence or country

Interiors with ethnic design trends are distinguished by saturation, brightness, and individuality. When designing them, it is recommended to use sockets and switches of an unusual shape, interesting shades. These devices can be in harmony with the overall color scheme of the room or, conversely, act as a bright accent.

You can safely choose blue, blue, turquoise, green shades. Products with imitation of wood structure will look great, emphasizing the originality and naturalness of the situation. Round sockets will make the interior even more comfortable.

conclusions

Sockets on a glass kitchen apron are a necessary thing in the arsenal of any modern housewife. The main thing is to approach the matter responsibly and take into account possible errors.The planning stage is very important even at the stage of the beginning of the repair, then all the work will go like clockwork.

You are concerned about the question: how to install sockets on a glass apron? Interior glass studio InterGlass in Yekaterinburg will help you with this. Our masters will measure and install tempered glass wall panels with all the necessary cutouts.