Ours are set into our backsplash, but at the very top, so right under the upper cabinets and not as disruptive to the backsplash.

This first photo is at an angle that really shows them off, but they aren't so obvious from a distance. If we ever add a light rail and/or paint them to match the cabinets, they will show much less.

I think you can see the ones to each side of the stove and get an idea where the one is for the coffee maker. These obviously blend better. The outlet for the microwave is in the back of the cabinet above it.

I am wondering about this too. I just hate all the bulky cords. There is a site called Mockett that sells "grommets"-- basically surrounds for holes you make in your counter (or desk) through which your cords go and then they can plug in somewhere out of sight. And the visibility of the cords is then minimized. Anyone do this?

I like the grommets for desks, but wouldn't want to be slopping water, etc. into them and having to wipe around them on a counter. JMO, though. I think others have them, especially where they have no wall space, like near a large window that is at counter height.

I used a combo.

I put them in the backsplash where I thought I would really use an appliance; on either side of the stove (blender for making hot sauces).

I put them on my island bc they were code. I use both of those a lot.

I put a row of plugmold under the cabinets where I didn't even WANT an outlet, but code required me to have at least two! I have never used those outlets after testing to see that they work. I bet they'd be a pain to use on a regular basis bc you have to bend over and look up to see exactly where to put the plug. The electrician was NOT happy to install it - I'm thinking it's a pain to install. (If you do plugmold, make sure they drill a small hole for the wires to come out of your wall, btw. My guy made a mess of that and I've seen it done very nicely before.)

I also have a combo. There are 2 outlets in the backsplash and 4 angled plugmold runs underneath 4 cabinets on either side of my small galley kitchen (2/2). Although I use the plugmold occasionally, I now regret that I got so carried away with installing it! In fact, if I had it to do all over again, I might not use plugmold at all. I most certainly would not have installed 16 plugmold outlets in my little kitchen. Talk about overkill! And, yes, the electrician griped a bit about installing all that plugmold but he seemed to calm down when the GC (who is also a carpenter) produced the angled wood foundation blocks upon which the plugmold was mounted.

As for the outlets in the backsplash, they really aren't that intrusive, IMO. I have a white marble mosaic marble backsplash and I purchased 2 12" x 12" marble tiles for the purpose of having matching outlet covers made. So far, I haven't even bothered to take that step. The white ceramic outlet covers I'm now using are pretty much hidden by the appliances I have plugged into them.