I would do vertical and also try to find matching plates and plugs to the backsplash if possible Lutron has great color choices .I used the red form thme for this wall not perfect but for sure better than white

I know what you’re asking but Patricia’s comment & pic confused me about what a vertical stack looks like. So, my answer is the outlets / sockets should run the same direction as the tile. In Patricia’s pic of red tiles I’d have placed sockets on the horizontal & tried to place them directly over a tile - the outlet cover is about the tile size. And, yes to what Patricia said about matching outlet cover to tile color. My BS outlets are horizontal & pretty close to top of counter. I wanted them out of line of sight. My subway look tiles are offset not stacked but it still looks so much better than an outlet smack in middle of BS. The electrician moved our existing outlets before either the counter or BS was installed so he was guessing where tile would be. He got pretty close - should’ve been just a bit lower to be perfect. But still, IMO outlet is much less noticeable than the original higher vertical placement would have been.

Vertical for sure. They look poorly done when horizontal to me.

I would do plugmold (hidden under upper cabinets), except for the one or two places where you need to plug in your permanent small appliances.

I messed that up in my kitchen. I needed one outlet for the toaster oven and electric kettle, but didn't plan that one item ahead of time. I have plugmold in that location, so you see the cords. Luckily it isn't visible from the living/dining areas. If I am giving a house tour or taking photos, I unplug those 2 and have it look pretty!

If vertical tile, do vertical outlet, color match, flushmount if possible. (For horizontal tile, or prett much any other application, horizontal outlet. Kitchens are full of horizontals so outlets should generally be, too.) I’m infatuated with these like Bocci 22, but they would be outside my budget.

bpath - I’ve never seen plug ins like that. I think I like them but I cannot unsee the surprised emoji look of them! 😯

I saw them in a beautiful home featured in a magazine, but they were not mentioned and I had to look here to learn about them. I’m sure my post is still here with the photo, but the search function is failing me.

It's great when you can plan and avoid the use of outlets in the wall entirely

"I messed that up in my kitchen." Same! I have vertical picket tiles, and my outlets are horizontal. I thought I was on top of so many details... but I missed that one. I got a sample of a Lutron outlet in a color I hoped would blend in, but the color wasn't right. Maybe someday I'll paint the outlet covers to try to blend in better.

Sounds like you are creating a more contemporary, perhaps sleek kitchen with vertical tile. I'd for sure get plug molding, which is hidden from sight beneath your cabinets. UNLESS you are the kind of folks who have many countertop appliances that you leave plugged in.

I agreee with under cabinet lighting. There is a wall, where I don’t have cabinets.. see pic.

I suggested plugmold to my hubby when we put in new cabinets last year, and he nixed the idea. He is 6'4", and didn't want to stand on his head every time he plugged something in. He doesn't ask for much, and he does most of the cooking, so I deferred to him. I don't find outlets to be objectionable - but we tried to match outlets/covers to the backsplash.

I have the plugmold outlets and it’s nice to have so many outlets available. I don’t have to unplug my appliances that stay plugged in (like a coffeemaker or Alexa) to plug something in temporarily. BUT that means a cord going ‘up’ the wall. For some of my items, a wall plug lower down would’ve been completely hidden by the appliance itself.

good advice already - FWIW I have slab bs and didnt want outlets so put them under the cabs like everyone mentioned - the Kitchens forum on ol’ Gardenweb taught me to plan where my coffee maker and toaster were to be and have outlets there so I don’t have any cords hanging down (i put them horizontal down low by the counter so they sit behind the small appliance)