Kitchen Island Electrical Outlets: Great Ideas and Benefits

The kitchen islands are being poured so much creativity into them, that they actually end up being super luxurious and elegant. They have large countertops and hence a large workspace. When it comes to the electrical outlets in your Island kitchen, they definitely should be highly functional but without having to draw anybody’s attention to themselves. We’re saying this for plenty of different reasons but most importantly; because the outlets could sometimes be dangerous.

The outlets are obviously a must-have in every kitchen. You simply cannot carry out the kitchen chores without the outlets. There are different types of electrical outlets in different colors and designs and they can be installed differently.

Electrical Outlet Ideas for Kitchen Islands

This is up to you to decide what kind of electrical island would you prefer in your kitchen island without having to compromise the beauty of the kitchen. You totally have the right to decide the shape, color, and placement of the outlets in your kitchen. Let us discuss a few ideas for that.

Pop-Out Outlets

Pop-Out Outlets

The very first idea about the electrical kitchen outlets is the Pop Out ones. Until and unless you don’t need the outlet, it remains low profile. The receptacle of the outlet simply pops out on one push and makes it easy to access. This is a great way to keep the outlets out of sight when they’re not in use.

Power Strip Outlets

An island’s top rail can be mounted with the power strip on its edge, directly below the counter. This really helps to keep the outlets easy within the access range but also out of the sight. So, they won’t really disturb the view of your island design. The power strip outlets are better if they’re installed nicely on the side of the island, rather than on the front.

Power Strip Outlets

On the Countertop/Pop-Up Outlets

If you simply do not prefer having the outlets installed in, either way, you can go for the countertop outlets. This is done by installing a power strip just under the countertop (which hardly even shows). The power strip can be expanded when needed. Else, it looks like a low-profile metal circle beneath the countertop.

When you need to use the outlet, you can simply expand it by pulling the two handles on either side and the power outlet pops up. This keeps the outlet totally out of sight but is also easily accessible when needed.

On the CountertopPop-Up Outlets

PRO TIP – Matching the outlets with your cabinets is a great idea. For example, if your kitchen cabinets are brown, it would be great to go for brown outlets. This gives your kitchen a uniform yet decent look.

What Good Do the Pop-Up Electrical Outlets do?

There are so many benefits of pop-up outlets over the ones that are always visible and easily accessible.

Prevention from Electrical Hazards

The pop-up outlets are great for preventing any kind of electrical hazards or mishandling. This is because they are only used when needed and remain out of sight for the rest of the time. Also, they stay out of any contact with water and hence, are convenient for all kitchens.

Provide Cable-Free Workspace

A huge benefit of the pop-up outlets is that they leave more space on the countertop for the work and keep the workspace free of cables or wires. You can comfortably use the appliances as the Pop-up sockets easily fit even in lesser space.

Out of the Children’s Reach

Children are always suspicious about electrical sockets. It is very important and at the same time, difficult to keep the kids distracted from sockets. The pop-up outlets are super convenient for this reason too. They stay completely out of the sight of children. Hence, they are pretty safe.

How to Install Electrical Outlets in Kitchen Island

Here are a few steps on how you can get the electrical outlets installed in Kitchen Island.

  • Firstly, it’s important to know the dimensions of the receptacle box. Then draw a rectangle with the help of a pencil and scale where you plan to install the outlet.
  • Now use your jigsaw to drill a hole in the kitchen island. Jigsaws having plunging blades that make it possible to cut precise holes into cabinets. The wood that has been cut must be discarded.
  • Now look for the nearest and most convenient electrical circuit in your kitchen and measure the distance between the new outlet and the circuit. Now cut the wire needed with the help of electrical pliers.
  • Then Install the breaker box beneath the kitchen island doors by drilling a hole in the floor. Plugin the wire and connect it to the existing circuit in the kitchen. To feed the electrical wire back into the circuit, drill a hole in the floor. Connect the two circuits by drilling through joists.
  • Next is to just follow the ordinary steps for the final installation.
Pros
  • Highly convenient for use
  • Easily accessible throughout the countertop
  • Safer than other wall fixed outlets
  • Easier to keep out of children’s access
  • Available in different types and designs
  • Give your kitchen a decent look
Cons
  • You may have to compromise your kitchen’s design view in some cases.
  • A bit difficult to install

Conclusion

With electrical outlets installed on your island, your room would become more functional and you would be able to do a wider variety of projects. Keeping in view all the benefits, we highly recommend you to have electrical outlets installed on your kitchen islands.

The choice for the rest of the things regarding the design, type, and color of the outlets remain on you. We hope that this article would have been helpful for you.

FAQ’s

How many outlets do I need for a kitchen island?
Usually, the standard countertops measure 12 x 4 feet and for that, you would require four receptacle outlets. For the countertops up to 45 square feet, three receptacle outlets are needed. And for greater than 45 square feet, you’ll need 4 receptacle outlets.
How do I run electricity to my kitchen island?
The electrical cable will be run under the floor through a PVC conduit, which will need to be cut into the concrete. Under a flooring strip that runs parallel to your island’s location, you can dig that trench.
Where do electrical outlets go in a kitchen island?
The standard electrical outlets are installed on the side of the kitchen island, just below the island countertop. The advantage of installing them this way is that your counter space stays unhindered.
Does a kitchen island have to have an electrical outlet?
Yes, definitely. A kitchen island should have an electrical outlet. According to the convenience and size of the island, you can have one or more of the outlets installed.
What is the code for outlets in kitchens?
It is important to ensure that no outlet has been installed farther than 48 inches apart so that no point on the countertop is not more than 24 inches away from the receptacle. If the countertop is larger in size, more than 2 or 3 outlets need to be installed to cover the entire counter space.

 

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