Voltage regulator bypass capacitor placement
The smallest value capacitor is placed closest to the IC, within 1/4" (7mm) if possible. The larger value capacitors are next to them as space allows. The output of switching regulators can be smoothed out by combining capacitors with a series inductor of 10uH to 100uH, rated for twice the value of the maximum current flowing. You will find that combining inductors and capacitors can really smooth out ripple and noise spikes to just a few millivolts. Large value capacitors over 100uF have poor ESR ratings, but they must be present on the power feeds to filter power surges and low frequency ripple. These can be located at power branches or distribution points, often the same place where grounds branch out to individual loads.