Retrofitting made easy: how to add more socket outlets to a room

Did you know? Around 50 % of new homeowners will run short of sockets within their first year after moving in. But DIY extensions are never a good idea – if carried out by unskilled persons, they can lead to dangerous malfunctions and accidents. Luckily, retrofitting outlets with the help of a professional is a lot easier than you might think. In the end, it all comes down to figuring out what you need and planning accordingly.

Why do you not have enough power outlets?

Kitchen, bedroom, home office: sockets are a necessity in any living area. As we keep integrating more electrical devices into our households, an adequate number of power supplies becomes even more essential.

PCs and laptops, TV and sound systems, or other smart appliances might quickly compete for the few plugs available.

Another reason for socket shortage: remodelling or renovation projects. If you want to turn a former kids’ room into a study or set up a home theatre, your requirements for the electrical installation will probably change as well. This includes not only the amount of sockets, but also their placement on the wall. There’s no need to improvise with plug strips and extension cables though. In case you’re still wondering how to add more outlets to a room, here are some clever – and stylish – solutions.

Installing new outlets with the Gira Profile 55

In order to retrofit flush-mounted sockets, your electrician usually has to tear open walls and lay new supply lines. Installing the Gira Profile 55 is a lot less complicated: it works by removing the existing outlet and placing the profile on top of the flush-mounted box. This way, you can extend your setup with up to eight plugs on the wall (either horizontal or vertical).

More flexibility around the whole house

The Gira Profile 55 is not only a great example of how to add more outlets to a room – it is also compatible with more than 300 functional inserts from the modular Gira System 55. Thanks to uniform measurements of 55 x 55 millimetres, you can combine and exchange different cover frames and switch inserts. This allows you to upgrade the profile with features such as light switches, radio transmitters, or the Gira radio. Multifunctional toolbars like these prove useful in all sorts of places – above the kitchen counter, next to the desk in your home office, or at a hobby workshop in the garage.

Adding electrical outlets with surface-mounted switches

For homes in which you can’t or don’t want to tear open walls, the Gira product range offers a variety of options. Surface-mounted switches and socket outlets are easy to retrofit – as a single, two-fold, or three-fold installation. Your electrician can mount both the cable and the casing onto the wall, either horizontally or vertically.

As part of the Gira System 55, the top units fit into the frames of many different Gira design lines. From minimalist to edgy, you can be sure to find variants that complement your interior style.

Wondering how a certain design might look on your wall? Just use the Gira design configurator to find out: the online tool will show you a live preview based on AR technology.

How to add more outlets to a room in a rented flat

Provided you own a home, you can of course remodel it as you please. However, renovations on rental properties might prove a bit trickier. Surface-mounted installations are most likely the best solution in these cases. Before taking any action, make sure to ask your landlord for a written approval. Generally speaking, any substantial changes in rental flats should be reversible once you move out. By way of example, your electrician can quickly remove surface-mounted installations such as the Gira Profile 55 and re-mount it anywhere else.

How many sockets do you need at home?

Planning is key when it comes to electricity supply. The number of outlets required always depends on your individual living situation. Our recommendation: consult with a specialist to ensure that your setup will meet your needs today and in the future. As a rule of thumb for average households, you can rely the following guidelines:

• Living room of 20+ square metres: 24 outlets
• Kitchen: 15 outlets
• Small bathroom: 4 outlets
• Study: 10 outlets
• Kids‘ room: 11 outlets
• Outdoor area: 8 outlets

Keep in mind: too many sockets are always better than not enough. Ideally, your plan should also include a USB power supply to charge mobile devices.

As technology keeps evolving, the number of electrical devices in our homes will only increase. Surface-mounted solutions from Gira make it easy to stay flexible and adjust your home whenever needed. Rather than wondering how to add more outlets to a room, you can thus focus on the important questions: how many outlets you want, where to place them, and which design fits your interior best.