Smart ideas that make everyday life easier to install in the house

But I didn’t think of using the TV as a recipe display. That’s a good idea. It’s just unfortunate that we took our TV down in the kitchen again because we didn’t need it. What was important to us was to have a TV connection and network connections everywhere. And even more important to us was the utility duct, where we can always pull cables or other things later if something is missing somewhere.

Thanks!

The TV connection in the kitchen is really only there to implement this idea. Not to actually watch TV there, because that doesn’t make sense. I’m simply not a good cook – and usually need a cookbook so that the ingredients/quantities are right. My cookbooks are now all on the iPad. But the idea is really pure luxury. I would have to buy a telescopic wall mount, TV + another Apple TV. Someday. Before that, I’ll finish the important things outside first. Sow the lawn and pave the driveway as well as build a garden shed.

Utility duct / installation level: I saved on this for cost and space reasons (the house is already small enough anyway). That’s not optimal. I just tried, with elaborate planning, to have cables everywhere that you need or might one day need. Principle hope that the plan works out. So far: yes.

Thorsten

Thanks! I'm just not a good cook – and usually need a cookbook so the ingredients/quantities are right. All my cookbooks are now on the iPad. But the idea is really pure luxury. I would have to buy a telescopic wall mount, FS + another Apple TV. Someday. Before that, I'll finish the important things outside first. Sow the lawn and pave the driveway as well as build a garden shed.

Priorities, after all. Such things are only done at the end. We simply use a regular Lenovo Yoga tablet for recipes. Very practical. I wouldn’t want to be without it anymore.

Utility shaft / installation level: I cut it out for cost and space reasons (the house is already small enough). That's not optimal. I just tried, with elaborate planning, to have the cables everywhere you need or might need them. Principle hope that the plan works out. So far: yes.

Hope is always good. At some point you still find a little spot where something would have fit well. For us, it was no different with the utility shaft. But I also think it’s a good solution.

Oh yes, and very important, which we just realized again. An outlet next to every window. That’s very important for the dear wife, so you can nicely set up or hang Christmas lights.

oh yes and very important, what we just realized again. A socket next to every window. It’s very important for the dear wife, so you can nicely set up or hang Christmas lights.

Great that such points are the same in other families as in ours. I have to smile inwardly.

My wife’s hobby is furnishing and decorating.

That’s why she also got a socket next to every window, for things like that.....
The usage rates of these sockets are sensational and conspicuously good, that means 100.0%.

My hope that the specially and quickly installed outdoor socket "outdoor Christmas tree" would be well received has also come true.
All misuse possibilities of this actually dedicated socket are also used or will be used, apparently there are about 380 other festivals per year besides Christmas that require some kind of special decorative lighting. Well.....it’s her hobby.

My hope of no longer having to set up a tree inside in the future fades with each day as Christmas 2015 approaches... Hm.

Yeah, we also installed the decorative sockets - operable with a timer centrally controlled. Women apparently often have the same hobbies

Yeah, we also did the decorative sockets - operable with a timer from a central point. Apparently, women often have the same hobbies

Sometimes I do feel a bit like Chevy Chase in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation". I'm so glad I didn't install sockets on the roof of the house. If I had and it got out, I would surely have to put a 65,535-flame flashing string of lights on the roof repeatedly. Hopefully, no one ever invents such a thing with LED.....

I think it's good when everyone here lists their own little quirks. The list is not meant to imply that every quirk is a MUST, but it is helpful when you are in the planning stage and considering what else you might install during the construction phase that will be future-proof, or you get a reminder kick that this or that has always annoyed you and that you want to have it.

Who would have thought 20 years ago that the best thing to do is to install network sockets everywhere. Because telephone, TV, music, etc., are nowadays often distributed as standard only via CAT cables/WLAN.

I only moved into an apartment renovated by my landlord, but I was able to have all my wishes implemented. My highlight gimmicks:

[*]Sockets in every window recess on a separate circuit, which is switched in the fuse box with a timer. The Christmas lights can then be programmed to turn on and off automatically at the appropriate times. Very convenient.
[*]Hallway lighting with motion detector ... never again will a guest or I forget to turn off the light
[*]TV connections in all rooms except the bathroom (which is too small), also on the terrace (watching washing machines together with neighbors or something)
[*]Outdoor light and power switches for the terrace
[*]Speakers integrated in the ceiling for all rooms ... central music distribution for not so demanding music listeners.
[*]Two-way switch at the bed/bedroom entrance
[*]Network double sockets in all rooms except the bathroom (as mentioned, too small and I don't listen to radio or so in the bathroom in the morning)
[*]All windows with fixed approx. 50 cm high parapet elements at the bottom. Window sashes above can be opened for ventilation without having to remove decorations (these are approx. 165 cm high windows, since it is an old building)
[*]Sockets really in every corner of the room, on every wall section