What you don't see can be as important as what you do see. Case in point: electrical outlets. This is especially true in kitchens, where space is tight and power needs are great. Reduce visual clutter by hiding your outlets in an unused spot: under the cabinets.
Are you as obsessed with hiding outlets as we are? Share your clever hiding spots in the comment section below.
Above: Eric Pike, the Creative Director at Martha Stewart Living, wanted to keep the counters of his small Manhattan kitchen as clear as possible. He keeps appliances behind doors and concealed the electrical outlets under the upper cabinets. Image via Martha Stewart. (See Alexa's Steal This Look: Eric Pike's Glamorous NYC Bath for another glimpse inside his space.)
Above: In a small kitchen remodel in Seattle, NW Homeworks removed all outlets from the backsplash and hid them under the cabinets to create a clean, uncluttered feel.
Above: Created for residential use, Wiremold offers a variety of options including the Plugmold Hard Wired Tamper-Resistent Kit that comes complete with all the fittings, connectors and mounting hardware needed for full installation. It measures 36-inches in length and has six tamper-resistent outlets ideal for kitchen applications including under-cabinet, backsplash, islands, or work counters; $129.97 for the stainless steel kit at Amazon. Plugmold Tamper Resistent Multi-Outlet Strips are available in several sizes and finishes (including stainless, aluminum, white, black, ivory and gray) at Crescent Electical Supply.
Above: Don't have upper cabinets? Multi outlet strips can be places discreetly under counter overhangs or open shelving. Here outlet strips are installed at the end of a kitchen island. Image via Leite's Culinaria.
Above: Even if you are not undertaking a renovation soon, multi-power outlets are an easy solution if you are short on outlets. No hardwiring required with the WIremold 52-inch Multi-Power Outlet System with Cord that features 8 Outlets and a 6-foot cord. Simply mount, plug into an existing power source, and you're done; $44.97 at Amazon.
Above: Some favor angled power strips that are placed at the intersection of the upper cabinets and the backsplash. While not completely hidden, they are easy to access and still create a clutter-free backsplash. The Task Lighting Angled Power Strip is $174.99 at Lighting Universe. Available in several finish options.
Above: Combine under cabinet power with a light source. The Plugmold Power Light features four outlets and a light; $40.76 at Home Depot.
For more solutions to unslightly sockets, see our earlier features on Recessed Outlets and Pop-up Outlets.