an upside-down outlet mean my house has old wiring?
No. Outlet orientation doesn’t reliably tell you the age or condition of the wiring in a home.
Should I rotate an outlet if I don’t like the way it looks?
Don’t treat this as a simple cosmetic project if it involves opening the electrical box. If you want the orientation changed, have the receptacle checked and repositioned by someone qualified to perform the work safely.
Can an outlet be installed sideways?
Depending on the receptacle and installation, you may encounter sideways orientations. Whether a particular installation is acceptable depends on applicable electrical requirements and the equipment involved.
Why are some outlets different from the others in my house?
Different receptacles may have been installed at different times, by different electricians, or for different purposes. A home can contain a mixture of orientations and receptacle types without that alone indicating a problem.
