Title: Building Base Structures—What If You Had To Start Over?
I hear a lot about “future proofing” with conduit, but honestly, I think it’s easy to go overboard. In my experience, most people end up using maybe half of what they install—if that. I’ve seen homes where the extra conduit just sits there, untouched for years, because tech moves in directions nobody predicted. For example, everyone thought we’d need tons of ethernet everywhere, but now so much is wireless or uses mesh networks. That said, I do agree that not everything works well wirelessly (especially things like security cameras or home theaters), but it’s rare to need hardwired connections in every single room.
Empty boxes and extra outlets are a different story. Those almost always come in handy. I can’t count how many times clients have wished for an outlet behind a sofa or in a hallway after moving in. It’s one of those things you don’t realize until you’re actually living in the space and plugging things in. I usually recommend at least one outlet on every wall longer than six feet and a couple of empty boxes in places you might want sconces or smart switches down the line.
One thing I wish more people considered is flexibility with furniture layouts. Sometimes all the planning goes into tech and not enough into how the space will actually be used day-to-day. Outlets behind beds or built-ins are great, but if you ever rearrange... suddenly they’re useless.
I guess my take is: focus on what you know you’ll use now, leave some room for change, but don’t stress too much about chasing every possible future trend. Tech changes fast and sometimes less is more when it comes to permanent infrastructure.
I’ve run into the same thing—people get really focused on tech wiring, but then daily living throws a curveball. I always try to map out how someone might actually use a room, not just where the TV or router goes. One trick I use is to sketch a couple of different furniture layouts for each space before deciding on outlet placement. It’s surprising how often that changes things. Curious if anyone’s found a good way to balance “future proofing” with not overcomplicating things? Like, do you ever regret not adding more flexibility, or does it just end up being wasted effort?
Curious if anyone’s found a good way to balance “future proofing” with not overcomplicating things? Like, do you ever regret not adding more flexibility, or does it just end up being wasted effort?
I’ve definitely wrestled with this. My approach is kind of a “layered” one—start with the basics, then add flexibility where it matters most. Here’s how I usually break it down:
1. Map out the “must-haves”—outlets, switches, and any fixed tech (like hardwired internet in a home office).
2. For rooms that might change purpose (guest room, den), I’ll run conduit behind the walls. It’s not that expensive and lets you pull new wiring later without tearing things up.
3. I try to keep the number of outlets reasonable, but I’ll cluster them in spots that could serve multiple layouts. Corners and under windows are surprisingly useful.
4. For “future proofing,” I focus on access points—like leaving a chase from basement to attic for future cables, or using deep boxes for switches in case I want to add smart controls later.
Honestly, sometimes I do wish I’d added more, but overdoing it can make things feel cluttered or wasteful. It’s a balance. I’d rather have a few well-placed options than a wall full of unused ports.
If I’m honest, I’ve seen a lot of folks go overboard with “future proofing” and end up with a ton of unused stuff—extra wiring, ports, even whole panels that never get touched. I get the temptation, but sometimes it’s just adding more materials and waste. Curious if you’ve thought about how all that extra infrastructure impacts sustainability? Or is it worth it for peace of mind?
Title: Building Base Structures—What If You Had To Start Over?
I totally get where you’re coming from. When I built my workshop, I went nuts with conduit and extra outlets, thinking I’d need them all “someday.” Five years later, half of it’s still capped off and gathering dust. Honestly, looking back, I wish I’d been more intentional. There’s something satisfying about a space that’s just right for your actual needs, not just what you might maybe want down the road. Overbuilding feels wasteful now—materials, money, time... all for a “just in case” that never came. Sometimes less really is more.
