How to Hide Outlets in the Kitchen

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Many people will think long and hard about the right areas to place electrical outlets, especially if you’re going the DIY route. While kitchen outlets are an essential part of any kitchen, they won’t always look good with a beautiful backsplash. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution — in this article, we share how you can hide outlets in your kitchen.

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How Do I Hide Outlets in My Kitchen?

If you’re looking for a great way to install hidden outlets around your kitchen, you first need to know that different countries and even different states will have varying local building codes that need to be followed. So even if you find creative ways on YouTube how to hide your power outlets, it doesn’t mean that the same thing can be applied to your kitchen. Below are some of the best ways to hide unsightly outlets anywhere in your kitchen.

Camouflaging Them

Depending on your local codes, this is probably the easiest way to hide outlets around your kitchen. If you have a black island, you may benefit from using black or dark-colored outlet covers, but if you have a white tile background, be sure to use a white outlet and matching covers. These days, hidden kitchen outlets can be found behind some great paintable covers that match the surface they’re on, giving the illusion of being part of the wall.

Outlet Placement

Once again, it’s important to think about the electrical codes where you live and it’s also crucial to learn about the kind of outlet you need and where it should be placed (such as a ground-fault circuit interrupter near a sink). Outlet locations are important whether you plan on placing a flush outlet on your counter top or the back wall. When you understand where the outlets should be according to the national electrical code, you can have them anywhere on your kitchen backsplash.

Some people use pull-out trays to gain easy access to small appliances such as their coffee maker to ensure they’re closer to their outlets. Others will make use of under-cabinet power strips or an outlet box that can be installed under the upper cabinets. These are the more popular options apart from using wall cabinets; under-cabinet outlets can also be a great way to hide outlets in your kitchen.

Powering Kitchen Islands

Many kitchen islands will need a power source on one end or both ends but it can be hard to figure out where they should be placed if you don’t have a wall to work with. Below are just a few solutions you can look into.

Adding Cabinet Outlets to Your Island

Those looking to create a modern kitchen space should consider adding vertical surfaces to the side of the island to allow for outlets; luckily, this can be easily incorporated into your kitchen cabinet design. You can do this by adding a few inches on either or both sides of the island using a filler. This can create a space for your outlets while also hiding unsightly electrical cords.

Using Pop-Up Outlets

Some homeowners also use countertop pop-up outlets which can be a good choice if you’re unable to find any place on your island that can accommodate one. While this may not be the best choice for people who don’t want to cut holes in their countertops, sometimes this may be the only option available. However, this could be the best way to hide visible outlets that you’ll want to use for small kitchen appliances; you can also place them on the side of an island for a clean look.

Under the Overhang or Undercounter Power Strips

This can be another option for you to consider if you’re working with an island; this can be done by mounting an outlet strip under the lip of a kitchen counter. Normally, you won’t be able to see this from a standing position, making it a clever way to keep them hidden in plain sight. Just be sure to ask your electrician how to incorporate power strips in your kitchen design since they will still need an electrical box installed close by.

If there’s an “eating side” to your island where guests can sit along with a countertop overhang, your outlets can also be placed underneath that and will be less noticeable. Unfortunately, this area may not be the best place to place them if you plan to use these outlets.

Covering Your Outlets with Accessories

People also use accessories such as art and cutting boards to hide them from view which allows them to have outlets anywhere in their backsplash. This can be a good solution for anyone who has an outlet that can’t be moved but also wants it to stay out of sight. Your accessories can also be incorporated into your kitchen walls to create beautiful designs.

The Bottom Line

Now that you know how to hide outlets while staying within your kitchen’s overall design, you can use standard outlets while keeping them hidden and functional. The good news is that these can be incorporated easily while ensuring your wall outlets retain a practical, yet clean design. But before everything else, consider your outlet and electrical location first for an easy way to give your countertop appliances a place to work.

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