As more homeowners invest in improving and upgrading their homes, they are turning to residential electrical contractors. Loftus Electric has noticed the following trends in the residential market.

Home automation. With home automation going mainstream, homeowners can install many devices by themselves, but they often need to have electricity wired in certain locations to take full advantage of most home automation programs.

USB outlets. Homeowners often have phones and tablets, but they may not have convenient outlets to charge them. Outlets with USB ports, however, do not require the use of an adapter.

Hinge-covered outdoor outlets. Rather than running extension cords down the side of a home when lighting it up for the holidays, homeowners can have GFCI-protected and waterproof covered outlets installed by an electrician. These outlets, which can hide under the edge of a roof, can be controlled by a single switch.

Recessed outlets. In tight spots, such as small bathrooms, electricians can install recessed outlets, which sit deeper into a wall. Thus, they don’t have protruding cords. They can also be installed above a fireplace mantle for a flat-screen television.

Hidden outlets. Rather than sticking out like a sore thumb, outlets can now blend in with tile, pop out of a countertop or be placed in kitchen drawers or in storage closets.

Closet lighting. Ceiling track lighting and under-shelf lighting can illuminate a homeowner’s wardrobe much more than a single overhead light.

Electricians can hard-wire wall-mounted lamps, freeing up a nightstand and providing a cleaner, cord-free look, according to the company.