If you’re someone who’s particular about interior design details in your home, you might be one of the many who find electrical outlets difficult to deal with. They are required by law to be installed at certain locations and certain distances apart in your home, so you can’t just do any with them.
There are also certain types known as GFCI that require “reset” and “test” buttons, which can be even more of a design burden. These are found near water spouts and other locations where there is a higher opportunity for electrocution. The black and red buttons on them are mandatory.
But, if you’re someone who worries about how to incorporate these electrical outlets, thankfully there are many different ways to do so. You can get so creative with your outlets that they can even act as a design feature and complement a variety of kitchen or bathroom styles. From inside drawers to overhead outlet strips, there is no shortage of ways for you to use your imagination when it comes to blending these required outlets into your aesthetic theme.
In case you’re lost for ideas or you just want to know what kind of possibilities there are when it comes to installing under cabinet outlets, here are 13 ideas we’ve found to be particularly unique.
Under Cabinet Outlet Ideas
1. Pop-Up Outlets
Probably the most inventive and convenient way to implement your under cabinet outlets is to install some pop-up outlets. Pop-up outlets look super cool and they can be used with any type of material.
You can opt for cylindrical pop-up outlets, square outlets, or even incorporate a pop-up outlet strip. The possibilities are almost endless, and you can get really creative with the design here. Pop-up outlets are one of the sleekest and most aesthetically pleasing options for homeowners.
2. Outlet Strips
If you don’t want to go the extra mile and install pop-up outlets, another option is to simply install some outlet strips along the underside of your cabinets. This is a perfect option for those of you who use a lot of appliances on your countertops.
Instead of having to have your toaster on one side of the kitchen and your blender on the other, you can group your appliances into one easily accessible area by using an outlet strip. They come in all colors and are really simple to install.
This is a very easy and quick to do idea that you can execute yourself. For this DIY idea we recommend the Heavy Duty Metal Surge Protector Power Strip with Mounting Brackets. You can get them at a low cost and install them in no time.
3. Horizontal Outlets
If you don’t have any cabinets to hide your outlets under, you can still incorporate them with an outlet strip. Just install yours lower than you normally would, horizontally along the backsplash.
By matching the corresponding outlet plate color with your backsplash, you can effectively disguise the outlets and help them blend into the kitchen decor. Depending on your wallpaper or kitchen style, there are many original ways to pull this off.
4. Drawer Outlets
Have you ever thought about designating a drawer for all your electrical charging needs? It would help keep them out of the way and reduce the amount of visual chaos in the room.
By putting an outlet or two inside a pull-out drawer, you create a clean and clever way to hide the outlet as well as whatever you want to plug into it. This works especially well for charging phones and other wireless items.
5. Breakfast Nook
A breakfast nook with outlets tucked away inside it is another great idea for getting creative with your outlets. By placing an outlet in a space set back from the surface of the wall, you can make it seem even more inconspicuous and less noticeable, or use it as a subtle accent for the breakfast nook itself.
6. Under a Kitchen Island
If you have a kitchen island, putting your outlets on or perpendicular to the underside of the countertop overhang is the perfect way to keep them out of the way. If you prepare food on your island like many of us do, it’s a good way to optimize this area for using accessory appliances.
7. Blend with Tiles
You can use your tiles to complement your outlets in ways that make them part of the design. Tiles are especially useful for this style because they tend to mimic outlets anyways.
8. In-Between Drawers
Place your kitchen outlets in-between drawers to make them hidden, yet readily available.
9. Pop-Out
Place your kitchen outlets in-between drawers to make them hidden, yet readily available.
10. An Island Twist
If you have a different kind of island, consider installing your outlets along the side of the top layer.
11. Behind a Panel
Use a special pull-out, pop-out, or magnetic panel to hide your outlets near the corner of a nook, island, or countertop.
12. Near Windows
By placing your outlets near windows, you can use natural light to easily disguise them.
13. Inside a Cabinet
This is a variation on the drawer outlets and is perfect for big cabinets. Why use up countertop space when you could fit your entire coffee machine inside a cabinet? Install an outlet in there and you’re all set.
You Can Put Outlets Almost Anywhere
Assuming you’re following codes and regulations, you can put your kitchen outlets almost anywhere your heart desires. If you’re sick of seeing yours or don’t know how to integrate them into your style, you can use one or more of the ideas we’ve listed here to solve your problem and seamlessly ingratiate your outlets in places where they’ll hardly be noticed.
