Has your architect created an electrical plan or are you starting from scratch?

Aim to have at least 2 outlets in each wall, and space them no more than 6 feet apart.

Your outlets are predetermined for the most part, based on the spacing required by code. Additional outlets can be added for convenience. I've always liked an additional outlet in the commode room for a night light. Extra outlets at the exterior walls and garage. Switched outlets in the bedroom are normally standard for lamps, which one is switched can be thought out ahead of time.

GENERAL LIGHTING TIPS:

1. You need an electrical plan. How else are you going to know your costs and what you are getting?

2. Hire a designer who specializes in lighting design and drawing up an electrical plan. Lighting is everything to having a nice home.

3. You light the floor plan....not just drop cans in some lame grid-that is what builders do and its too much general lighting and washes out everything. You need highlights and low lights. And general, ambient and task lighting.

4. I love the outlets in the baseboards. Its a cleaner more high end look. Which requires a flatter stock baseboard and probably an extra expense by your trim carpenter. Also doesn't muck up the walls with wall acne. Being that most baseboard are white, outlets blend away.

5. Also HUGE is that you must put your outlets in the kitchen just above the countertops. NOT in the middle of the backsplash.

6. Also dimmers are necessary-nearly everywhere. Do the toggle dimmers..they are cheapest if dimmers are costly to you.

7. Also 4 inch cans over 6" onces if you have ceilings 10 ft or under. They look so much better. 5" cans if you feel you must have something larger but 6 are just terrible looking to me. That's my experienced opinion. I also like Juno cans with the metal over plastic baffle.

8. Its also important that the cans are not right on top of your cabinets. They should come out in front of the cabinets about 13" -16" so they wash them nicely but don't create any hot spots. Then you need under cabinet lighting that doesn't create hot spots on your backsplash or countertop, lights over the island, a light over the sink drain.

9. You also don't want hot spots on people heads. If you are lighting a living room, you will need cans to highlight certain things like drapery , window treatments, artwork, bookshelves, sofas, chairs, the coffee table.....

10. Always try to line stuff up nicely and choose a smart place to put a thermostat. Dont put it under a beautiful sconce or make it obvious. They are functional but they are not a focal point. Buy the new nest thermostat. Its expensive but fun, small, discreet.

11. Floor electrical outlets are necessary when a floor plan is too far to plug into a wall and to keep the room free of "wall acne" which I hate-and I hate cords laying around. But in order to know exactly where it goes you gotta know your exact floor plan and stick to it. I use them usually when I hate two chairs and a table in between with a lamp or I use them when I have a long console on back of a sofa.

Blue has mentioned a few of my favorites.

Additionally in the bathroom, have an outlet inside the vanity where you can leave chargers plugged in.

Think about where you might want your Christmas tree inside.
Enough outlets outside for leaf-blowers, power washers, vacuums for the car.
Outlets in the garage for tools and perhaps a wet vac.

@on the fence, I have incorporated appliance garages on top of vanity countertops with outlets in the garage for blow dryers, etc. Client loved it.

That's a great idea Norm. Those charger bases, cords etc need to be hidden!

Outlets outside for exterior Christmas lights and decorations.

@norm, if you have pictures, please share. You may have noticed from my previous comment that I've put a lot of thought into outlet placement lately! I'm convinced it makes all the difference in functionality of a room.

Here are some more ideas

Perhaps this was already addressed but in an open concept home if you have lamps in the middle of the room, you cannot have the electrical outlets in the walls. This would mean a long cord across the floor which would be a tripping hazard. You would almost have to place the outlets in the floor under furniture to hid the cords, no? Hope there is another way.