The new year is the perfect time to refresh your home. Many homeowners focus on decluttering closets, reorganizing storage spaces, and creating a more functional living environment. However, one important area is often overlooked during home organization projects: your electrical system. Following the right home organization, electrical tips as you reset your space can improve safety, efficiency, and long-term functionality. Below are essential electrical considerations to keep in mind while tackling your New Year home organization goals.
Start With Cord Management—But Do It Safely
Messy cords are one of the most common organization challenges in modern homes. Between TVs, gaming systems, computers, lamps, and chargers, cords can quickly become tangled and unsightly.
When organizing cords:
- Avoid running cords under rugs or furniture, which can cause overheating.
- Never staple or tightly wrap cords against walls.
- Use cord organizers or covers designed for electrical safety.
- Replace damaged or frayed cords immediately.
Proper cord management not only improves appearance but also reduces fire hazards and tripping risks.
Reevaluate Outlet Placement and Usage
As you reorganize furniture or repurpose rooms in the new year, you may find that outlets are inconveniently placed or overloaded. Relying heavily on power strips and extension cords can be a sign that your home needs additional outlets.
Consider:
- Adding outlets to reduce extension cord use.
- Installing USB outlets in bedrooms, kitchens, or home offices.
- Checking for warm outlets or frequent breaker trips, which indicate overload.
Upgrading outlets during an organization project creates a cleaner look and a safer electrical setup.
Declutter Around Your Electrical Panel
Your electrical panel should always remain accessible, yet it often becomes a storage area over time. Boxes, bins, or seasonal items stored too close to the panel can create safety issues and violate electrical codes.
As part of your New Year organization:
- Clear at least 36 inches of space around the panel.
- Label breakers clearly for easy identification.
- Check for signs of rust, corrosion, or outdated components.
An organized electrical panel helps in emergencies and makes routine maintenance easier.
Organize Your Home Office With Electrical Capacity in Mind
With remote work and online schooling still common, home offices often become cluttered with devices. Printers, monitors, computers, and charging stations can overload circuits if not properly planned.
Electrical considerations for home offices include:
- Using surge protector power strips instead of basic power strips.
- Avoid daisy-chaining multiple strips together.
- Ensuring the circuit can handle the electrical load.
- Considering a dedicated circuit for high-use workspaces.
An electrician can help assess whether your home office setup is safe and efficient.
Upgrade Storage Spaces With Better Lighting
Closets, pantries, and garages often suffer from poor lighting, making organization more difficult. Adding or upgrading lighting can make a noticeable difference.
Popular lighting upgrades include:
- LED strip lighting for closets and shelves
- Motion-activated lights in pantries or laundry rooms
- Brighter LED fixtures in garages and basements
LED lighting uses less energy, produces less heat, and lasts longer making it an ideal upgrade for organized spaces.
Take Inventory of Smart Home Devices
The new year is a great time to evaluate smart home technology. Smart plugs, thermostats, security cameras, and voice assistants all rely on your electrical system.
While organizing:
- Remove unused or outdated smart devices.
- Ensure devices are plugged into properly rated outlets.
- Avoid overloading smart power hubs.
- Consider whole-home surge protection to safeguard electronics.
A streamlined smart home setup improves functionality while reducing unnecessary electrical strain.
Schedule an Electrical Inspection as Part of Your Reset
A New Year reset is about more than appearances—it’s about peace of mind. If your home is older, has recently undergone changes, or frequently experiences electrical issues, scheduling a professional electrical inspection is a smart move.
An inspection can identify:
- Overloaded circuits
- Outdated wiring
- Unsafe DIY electrical work
- Opportunities for energy efficiency upgrades
Catching issues early helps prevent costly repairs later in the year.
Organize With Safety and Efficiency in Mind
Home organization isn’t just about tidying up, it’s about creating a safer, more functional living space. By following practical home organization electrical tips during your New Year organization projects, you can improve safety, reduce clutter, and better support your family’s daily needs.
If you’re planning outlet upgrades, lighting improvements, or electrical inspections this year, a licensed electrician can help ensure your home starts the new year off right.