How Many Sockets Do I Need Per Room?
As a general guide: hallways and utility rooms need at least one double socket; living rooms, bedrooms, and studies need multiple doubles across several walls; kitchens need the most of any room, once appliance switching is included. Here's a room-by-room breakdown.
Kitchen
Kitchens need more sockets than any other room, once appliance switching is accounted for. Beyond double sockets above the worktop for kettles, toasters, and other countertop appliances, you'll need dedicated 20-amp double pole switches for each fixed appliance — dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, freezer, oven — plus a cooker switch. See our kitchen sockets and switches guide for the full breakdown.
Living Room
Plan for at least two to three double sockets across different walls, accounting for a TV and entertainment unit, lamps, chargers, and any seasonal items like a Christmas tree. See our living room sockets and switches guide.
Bedroom
A double socket on each side of the bed is worth planning for, plus at least one more elsewhere in the room for a TV, dressing table, or vacuum cleaner. USB sockets are particularly useful bedside, for charging phones overnight. See our bedroom sockets and switches guide.
Hallway
At least one double socket, for a vacuum cleaner, lamp, or phone charging. Two doubles are worth considering if the hallway includes a console table or is used as a working entry point. See our hallway sockets and switches guide.
Dining Room
At minimum, one double socket for occasional use. If the room has a sideboard or dresser, a socket near it is useful. Separately, plan 5-amp sockets for table lamps if you want them controlled by a wall switch or dimmer. See our dining room sockets and switches guide.
Study or Home Office
Plan for considerably more than feels necessary — a typical desk setup with a computer, monitor, printer, desk lamp, phone charger, and speaker can need six to eight outlets before any extras. See our study/home office sockets and switches guide.
Utility Room
Beyond dedicated 20-amp double pole switches for fixed appliances, plan at least two double sockets above worktop level for portable appliances such as irons and steam cleaners. See our utility room sockets and switches guide.
Planning ahead
It's far cheaper to add extra sockets at the planning or rewiring stage than to retrofit them later. If in doubt, err on the side of more sockets than feels necessary — particularly in kitchens, studies, and living rooms, where device numbers tend to grow over time. See our new build sockets and switches guide for more on planning from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sockets does a kitchen need?
More than any other room, once appliance isolation switches are included. Plan double sockets above the worktop for countertop appliances, plus dedicated 20-amp double pole switches for each fixed appliance.
How many sockets does a bedroom need?
At least one double socket on each side of the bed, plus one more elsewhere in the room. USB sockets are particularly useful bedside.
Is it cheaper to add extra sockets later, or plan for them now?
It's considerably cheaper to plan for extra sockets at the build or rewiring stage. Retrofitting sockets later means lifting plaster and redecorating.
Related guides: kitchen, living room, bedroom, hallway, dining room, study/home office, and utility room guides.