Why plan electrical while the walls are open

Once drywall goes up, moving outlets and lights gets messy and costly. The framing stage is the time to set power, lighting, data, and speaker runs where you will actually use them. A short walk with a simple checklist can save years of extension cords and dim rooms. Calgary homes also face long winters, so comfort lighting and smart controls pay off even more.

Start with a room-by-room walk

Print a floor plan. Bring a marker. Stand in each room and picture how you will live there in winter evenings and bright summer mornings. Mark where you will sit, cook, read, charge, and work. The plan below keeps choices simple and useful.

Living room: power where life happens

• TV wall: one duplex outlet behind the TV at mount height, plus a low outlet for consoles. Add a wall plate for HDMI or a conduit for clean cable runs.
• Media shelf: two duplex outlets near the console area for streaming boxes, routers, or game gear.
• Floor outlet option: if the sofa floats, place a floor outlet under the coffee table area so lamps and chargers do not cross walkways.
• Network: run at least one data line (Cat6 or better) to the TV wall for solid streaming.

Kitchen: bright, safe, and practical

• Counter runs: outlets every 1.2 m along counters, with GFCI protection. Put one on each side of the range and near the coffee station.
• Island: at least one outlet on the side. If you bake or use big appliances, add two.
• Appliances: dedicated circuits for microwave, dishwasher, range, and fridge. Ask for a water line outlet box for the fridge location.
• Lighting: a grid of recessed lights, under-cabinet strips for prep areas, and a separate switch for pendants over the island.

Dining area: set the mood

• Pendant or chandelier: centered over the table with a dimmer.
• Sideboard wall: one or two outlets where you plan to place a buffet or a small bar cart.

Bedrooms: quiet comfort and easy charging

• Bed wall: outlets on each side with USB-C/USB-A combos for chargers. Add switched half-outlets if you like lamps controlled at the door.
• Closet lighting: bright LED with a simple switch. Motion sensors are handy in kids’ rooms.
• Data and TV: a data line at the wall where a TV might go, even if you do not plan one yet.

Home office: work without cable clutter

• Desk wall: two duplex outlets and one data line at desk height. Add a spare for a printer or charger block.
• Lighting: bright overhead light on a dimmer plus an outlet for a task lamp.
• Network: wired data keeps calls stable during winter storms when Wi-Fi can feel crowded.

Bathrooms: light for mirrors and safe power

• Vanity: two outlets near the sink area with GFCI protection. Keep them away from splash zones where possible.
• Lighting: mirror sconces or backlit mirrors plus a ceiling light. Put the fan on a separate switch and pick a quiet model.
• Heated floor option: add the circuit now if you want warm tiles in Calgary winters.

Laundry and mudroom: utility that works

• Washer and dryer: correct outlets for your appliance type, plus a work-surface outlet for irons or steamers.
• Bench area: a small outlet near a bench or shelf for boot dryers or a handheld vacuum.
• Lighting: bright, even LED panels so you can spot stains and dirt on winter evenings.

Hallways and stairs: see every step

• Lighting: three-way switches at both ends of halls and at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Night lights: consider a few low outlets with built-in night lights near kids’ rooms.

Garage: cold-weather friendly

• Work wall: two duplex outlets above a future workbench.
• Ceiling: outlet for a garage door opener and strong LED lights.
• EV ready: add a 240V circuit for a future charger, even if you do not own an EV yet.

Exterior: winter, hail, and bright entries

• Outlets: one at the front, one at the back, both weather covered. Handy for holiday lights and yard tools.
• Lights: bright fixtures at doors with switches inside and the option for a motion sensor.
• Soffit outlets: an outlet in the soffit for clean holiday lights without cords in the snow.
• Cameras: low-voltage runs to entry points if you plan video doorbells or security cameras.

Lighting layers that feel good year-round

Rooms feel better with layers, not just a single bright source. Use this simple stack:

• General: recessed lights or a central fixture for base light.
• Task: under-cabinet strips, reading lamps, desk lights.
• Accent: wall sconces, toe-kick strips in kitchens and baths, cove lighting in living rooms.

Put each layer on its own switch. Add dimmers in living areas, kitchen, dining, and primary bedroom. Winter nights in Calgary feel better when you can tune light levels.

Smart switches and where they help

Smart bulbs are fine for lamps, but smart switches do more with less fuss. Start with:

• Entry and porch: schedule and remote control for safety and late arrivals.
• Kitchen and living: scenes for dinner, movie time, and cleanup.
• Stair and hall: motion or low-level night scenes for safe trips at night.

Pick a brand that works well without complex setup. A few smart switches can cover most daily needs.

Low-voltage that future-proofs the home

• Network hub: pick a central spot (often the basement) for the modem, router, and a small patch panel. Pull data lines here from key rooms.
• Access points: run data to ceiling spots on each floor for future Wi-Fi access points. You can cap them now and use later.
• TV and media: conduits from the TV wall to the console area let you change cables later without opening the wall.
• Speakers: optional in-ceiling runs for living rooms and patios. Cap them if you are not ready to install speakers yet.

Safety items to confirm before drywall

• Smoke and CO alarms: correctly placed and interconnected.
• GFCI and AFCI: protection where required for kitchens, baths, laundry, exterior, and many living circuits.
• Stapling and nail plates: cables stapled neatly with steel plates where wires pass near the face of studs.
• Panel labeling: clear circuit names now save time later.

Common misses and how to avoid them

• Not enough counter outlets: spread them evenly. Coffee stations and mixers need nearby power.
• No outlet at the entry shelf: a small outlet near the door charges phones and powers a small lamp.
• TV cables locked in place: add a conduit for future tech so you can swap lines without opening the wall.
• Weak lighting in showers: one wet-rated recessed light over the shower makes a big difference.
• Missed floor outlet: if seating floats, a floor outlet keeps cords off the walkway.

Winter habits that shape your plan

Think about early sunsets and long indoor time. Add switches near room entries, place dimmers where you relax at night, and give yourself bright task light for cooking and hobbies. A few choices now will make the home feel calm during cold snaps and chinooks.

Checklist you can carry at framing

• TV wall power high and low, data line, and conduit
• Island and coffee station outlets
• Bedside outlets with USB-C
• Office desk outlets and data
• Garage EV circuit and workbench power
• Exterior outlets front and back, soffit outlet
• Ceiling data for access points
• Smart switch spots at entry, kitchen, living, hall
• Extra light in showers and over sinks
• Floor outlet if seating floats

How an inspector helps at this stage

A short pre-drywall check looks at box depth, cable protection, GFCI/AFCI plans, fan vent routing, and panel layout. You get photos and simple notes. Fixes are quick now and much harder after board. If you want a second set of eyes on outlet count or switch layout, walk the rooms together and point to where daily life happens.

The payoff

Good electrical planning makes a home feel easy from day one. Lights switch on where you reach for them. Outlets sit where your hands land. Wi-Fi feels steady because you left room for access points. You do not fight cords across floors or shadows at the sink. A one-hour walk at framing gives you years of comfort in a Calgary new-build.