How far apart do wall receptacles have to be in a living room, and does a 3-foot wall between two doors need one?

Receptacle spacing in living rooms:

Per NEC 210.52(C), wall receptacles must be installed so that no point along the wall line is more than 6 feet from a receptacle. This means receptacles should be spaced no more than 12 feet apart (center-to-center), assuming standard 12-foot wall runs.

3-foot wall between two doors:

Yes, a receptacle is required in that 3-foot wall segment. Here's why:

• NEC 210.52(C)(2) states that every wall space 12 inches or wider must have a receptacle.
• A 3-foot (36-inch) wall clearly exceeds the 12-inch minimum.
• Even though it's between two doors, it's still considered a wall space under the code.

Exception: If the wall is less than 12 inches wide, no receptacle is required.

Practical tip: Install the receptacle at least 12 inches from the wall edge (per NEC 210.52(C)(1)) to maintain proper clearances.

Bottom line:

• Space receptacles no more than 12 feet apart.
• Yes, install one in the 3-foot wall between the doors.

Spacing Rule (NEC 210.52(A)(1)): Receptacles must be installed so no point along the floor line of any wall space is more than 6 feet from a receptacle. This effectively limits spacing to 12 feet maximum between receptacles.

Wall Space Definition (NEC 210.52(A)(2)): "Wall space" includes:

1. Any wall 2 feet or wider (measured at the floor line).
2. Space occupied by fixed panels (excluding sliding panels).
3. Space behind doors that can open fully against the wall.

Your 3-Foot Wall: Yes, it requires a receptacle. At 3 feet wide, it exceeds the 2-foot minimum threshold for "wall space." Since it is unbroken by a doorway (the doors are on adjacent walls), the full 3-foot length counts. A single receptacle centered on this wall satisfies the 6-foot rule for that specific wall segment.

Placement Tip: You may install the receptacle anywhere on that 3-foot wall. However, if the wall is narrower than 12 inches (e.g., a pier), it does not count as wall space and does not require a receptacle (NEC 210.52(A)(2) Ex. 1).

Code Cite: 2023 NEC 210.52(A)(1), (A)(2).