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decoratingdebhome

Outlets in the backsplash...

Deb
4 years ago

We've reached the phase of planning for electrical work. KD provided the lighting plan so that's all set but she said she generally leaves it to the client and GC to work out placement of outlets due to code requirements, etc. We are getting a solid slab backsplash (Tessoro Bianco) and I just realized the wonderful visual of it is going to broken by outlets! Both on the range wall and sink wall, we have few upper cabinets to do outlet strips underneath...


Wondering it Houzzers have any ideas to make them blend or be less visible? I will add we absolutely need outlets (code not withstanding) as we use a Griddler at least 2-3 times a week (yes, we could do a stove top grill in the range, but the Griddler makes things so much easier and we love it) and I occasionally make soups, etc., so need my immersion blender.


Any thoughts? (note-- the island isn't pictured here, which has the prep sink. There are outlets built into the cabinetry for the island).




Comments (19)

  • branson4020
    4 years ago

    Decorative outlet covers are available in marble-look plastic or ceramic. Search online for something that looks good with you backsplash.

    Deb thanked branson4020
  • HKO HKO
    4 years ago

    There are dozens of threads on this topic already. Search “hidden outlets” and you will see lots of ideas.

    Deb thanked HKO HKO
  • Deb
    Original Author
    4 years ago

    Thanks HKO -- I've read a bunch of them and almost all of them say to hide the power under upper cabinets, which we can't do with this design :(

  • HKO HKO
    4 years ago

    And a bunch of them talk about pop ups in the counter, too. The only real choices are blending into backsplash, in counter, or under cabinet.

  • User
    4 years ago

    Make the fridge surround have more width, and you can place an outlet in it’s side at the rear with a pancake box to account for the outlet needed next to the range on that side. The other side should be able to use plug mold under the cabinets to get the needed outlets there.


    The sink will be an issue. It’s already an issue with not enough counter space around it due to the appliance garages. That’s a severe design defect that can be easily cured by getting rid of the to the counter cabinets and again doing plug mold there under the uppers. Create an appliance garage over your beverage center and use extra deep base cabinets to still have enough counter room for casual use.

  • Helen
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I think there was someone who took a photo of the backsplash and then used it for the covers. It's the same technique that I am using for outlets that are on my walls that have wallpapers - the wallpaper is being used to cover the outlets in some way so they blend with the wallpaper - only obviously I already have the leftover wallpaper to use so I don't have to take a picture.

  • Deb
    Original Author
    4 years ago

    Cabinets are already ordered... so design's not changing at this point :)

  • raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
    4 years ago

    If nothing else, the outlets can be placed horizontally rather than the tradition vertically, and place them lower on the wall instead of the traditional 4" above the counter (from counter to bottom of outlet box).

  • johnsoro25
    4 years ago

    I agree with raee. We did this and it really helps keep the outlets out of immediate view.

  • cpartist
    4 years ago

    The sink wall is not a problem as you can put the outlets inside the garage.

    to the right of the cooktop put plug mold under the cabinet.

    To the left do what GD suggested.

    Deb thanked cpartist
  • NYCish
    4 years ago

    https://forbesandlomax.com

    Pricey, but if you want them to disappear, these are what you want.

    I considered them, but I’m instead locating our outlets lower and horizontal. We don’t have many uppers (none, actually) so those were our only choices

  • wmsimons85
    4 years ago

    I had all of the outlets on the backsplash removed when we re tiled it. I think they can totally ruin the look. I have tiles but especially if I was having a beautiful slab I wouldn’t want them to ruin the look. I have no problems with my outlets under the cabinets in molding. I have more that I will ever use and you can’t see them unless you bend down and have a look up. Which you don’t do!

  • Deb
    Original Author
    4 years ago

    Thanks all -- we'll only need 2 in the backsplash with the design (others can be hidden elsewhere/on walls) and we'll do those low and horizontal.

  • wacokid
    4 years ago

    If you are putting in GFCI outlets it is a little tricky in a slab. They can cut the square out for the outlet but screwing in the outlet cover on the top and bottom there is no hole. Hard to explain so make sure that whomever is doing the installation and cutting the outlets has the outlet and has the cover.

  • wdccruise
    4 years ago

    Leviton Renu outlets and wallplates are available in more colors than other outlets (20) and you may find a color that matches the backsplash better. Lutron Designer Style too.

  • J Inhof
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    We planned for receptacle placement down low and horizontal. If you are using a lighting specialist or a really good designer or electrical contractor they no doubt have a variety of ideas and resources to locate suitable and attractive receptacles and cover plates, but we were doing the planning with our electrician so we had to do our own research. I googled for both rocker covers/plates and the outlet that could be camoflaged. It was important to me to have both the receptacle and the cover plates color coordinated—I think it looks a little ugly to have colored covers and ordinary white receptacles.


    Here are a few highlights of what I found:


    We found artists who make beautiful covers and receptacles custom painted to match your granite or tiles. (I think some of the artists are listed here on Houzz and also on Etsy.) There are also clear plates and plates made from a variety of woods such as cherry, oak, ash or paintable wood or plastic and mirrored plates. i also found a supplier of cover plates that were made from a range of corian materials and colors.

    LeGrand, Lutron and Leviton make a wide range of outlets and cover/rocker plates in a variety of colors —all shades of off white, blues, reds, blacks, magnesiums, metallics, and textured (ersatz) stone. I especially like the LeGrand line that offers a satin finish and Lutron offers an ‘architect’ matte finish.


    LeGrand, Leviton and Lutron (linked in the above post.) just stock the basic white/brown/black/off white in the big box stores but you can find the full color ranges (over twenty shades) on the big box websites or the makers‘ websites. I ordered from Home Depot because I could order samples and return the colors that didn’t work right to my neighborhood store. It was a challenge for me to find a sample book of colors at any of my retailers but I think a big lighting store would have the sample books.


    Also, I bought receptacles that included charging ports in the receptacles for a few places in the kitchen.

    Just a few ideas and leads for those who are trying to disguise their electricals.

  • NYCish
    4 years ago

    Also add screwless faceplates to your list. They look really clean. We have a mixture of le grand and Lutron in our hkuse

  • J Inhof
    4 years ago

    Yes, thank you, NYC. I forgot to mention the screwless and I think those are very sleek. for example the ‘renu‘ collection by leviton and Claro by Lutron are screwless but there are others too. Apparently it is easy to change over your existing cover plates to screwless—it can be a Saturday morning DIY project—Renu by Leviton has a video on you-tube and their website to show you how. (but I haven’t tried it.). I do like the chic screwless plates for sure.


    Also I noticed there is quite a range of prices across brands and retailers and often mark downs and sales are available so shopping around on line is advisable if you need a lot of switches and plates. And mixing and matching components is possible to stay on budget. I noticed Lutron seems to be on the very high end for many of their pieces but they are also very sleek and chic. I have found similar switches and rockers are available from Leviton or other makers at more competitive pricing. The man who invented the dimmer switch founded Lutron in his basement back in the sixties, so Lutron seems to be the market leader and price their items to take advantage of that.


    We are using LeGrand cover plates because they have a screwless white in a satin that is very very close to our Ben Moore White Dove wall paint. We are using a tumbled white bronze Emtek cover plate matched with a biscuit receptacle for our Quartzite back splashes.