Also, what about outlets?
 

How many? How far apart? just above the countertop?

boy...that's a good point! I'm so short of outlets...and then it's so inconvenient....cords running everywhere.

computer
printer
heat gun
glue gun (on occassion)
lamp/light
TV
DVD/VHS players
Ranger melting pot

and a sink! oh I wish I had running water in my work space.

I too have cords running everywhere but at least they are under the countertop. I had DH put some holes in my countertop and now they all run through the holes, as to keep the mess hidden

I would put 2 on each wall. I have most of my above the counter and love it but put some on the bottom too.

Good luck.

Every 4 feet is perfect !! and make them double plate outlets so you have 4 places to plug in....every 4 feet.

When my DH did my room I thought he was crazy for putting in so many outlets. He put in double outlets (4 plugins) 3 sets along 1 wall. Then did 2 doubles on the opposite wall and 1 double on the third. Oh my gosh, they are so handy. I say have as many as possible! LOL

I have an electrical strip about 4? 5? feet long, mounted on hte wall about 6" above my counter, with outlets about every 6-9(?) inches. It's perfect for me and my stamping buddies--I can have heat guns, glue guns, sewing machines, lights, TV, etc. all plugged in at the same time.

joy

FWIW, I don't think that there is such a thing as "too many outlets".

Joy

You need to check local code for the outlets. That will tell you what your minimum requirements are to meet code.

Of course if you are doing this all yourself (or your SO) and you aren't selling your house anytime soon, then it probably won't mater to you.

Generally you have to have an outlet on a wall every 6 feet and one within so many feet of a door jamb. They have to be so many inches from the counter top as well.

Now some places may not ask for you to meet code like that in a spare room, some places might. It's best to check with the electrician or your local code enforcer before you find out that you have to add outlets later on down the road to meet the requirements.

I put an outlet strips recessed into the countertop. They are out of the way, but very convenient when you need them.

My studio was originally designed with the thought that it would be a kitchen. So I have outlets every 32" at counter height (slightly above the counter tops). My DH is an electrical engineer, so my room was designed to handle any electrical needs that I might have with a 100% spare factor as far as wire size and breakers. It was also inspected and approved by the county as we had an electrical permit for it all.

It's very important that you have it done by a professional or inspected by one. Electricity is not something to mess with. Fires are no fun.

Please be careful leaving your heat gun puged in, if a pet or child knocks it over, and it turns on, you could have a fire.

My outlets are mostly inside my cabinets, with outlet strips in each one. All my cords (lamp, computer, ipod dock, worklight, cricut, phone, laptop) go through the counter and are nice and tidy. The only thing I don't leave plugged in is my heat gun, and I have one outlet handy for that just under my work surface.