Moving outlets from baseboards?

Question

Hi,

I am replacing all trim throughout the second unit of our multihome which has outlets in the baseboard. Does it make sense to move the outlets higher up the wall or to tell the carpenter to keep them where they are when installing new baseboards?

Thanks for your help!

PS: the walls are plaster and lath

Terrell Garren · Answer

Just one guys opinion - Would not change them, I love the old school look of baseboard outlets.  Of course, I prefer The Andy Griffith Show over The Bachelor, so discount my opinion accordingly.

Account Closed · Answer

Keep them where they are not only because of the above, but because of decorating options and furniture placement.  They're just ugly higher up on the wall, and get in the way of everything.

I have a lot of extension cords all over the place, always, no matter where I live.  Fish tanks, computer equipment, lighting, heating pads, portable air conditioner, electric blankets, power tools, just on and on.  If you keep the plugs along the baseboards, you can use cable u-nails to string power cords all over the place - and they're out of the normal sight line.

If your plugs are up on the wall, you end up with cords all over the place in the line of sight.  Just ugly and not efficient, in my opinion.

Account Closed · Answer

@Charles Stein moving them higher is not a good option unless you plan to rewire them.  Often older plaster houses don’t give you much wire slack in those boxes.  The better look and solution is to raise the outlets, however this may require more work and money than you want to get into.  I think it’s best to keep putting lipstick on older places because construction on them sucks.  I’m finishing a 1940 full remodel now and it’s been endless!

Moving outlets from baseboards?

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