Easy Ways to Hide Electrical Outlets & Wires

Consider these creative ways to hide outlets in kitchens. The most effective ways to hide outlets begin with the room design.

• Install outlets strategically, such as behind appliances, decor or fixtures. Before building or renovating, consult with residents about their preferred design that can conceal outlets.
• Match outlets and wall plates to standard kitchen colors such as white, ivory, eggshell, black, grey and brown.
• Paintable outlet wall plates in metal or plastic are textured to accept traditional wall paints with no primer necessary.
• Pop-out outlets provide a sleek, nearly seamless substitute for traditional outlets on walls, kitchen islands and other locations. When not in use, pop-out outlets click into their inconspicuous covers but can pop back out with a push. Installation is the same as with traditional electrical outlets.
• Power strips installed strategically, such as along the underside of upper cabinets, can be out of sight while still convenient for use.
• Charging station drawers can keep surfaces free of electronic devices.

Pro tip: Make sure your outlet placement conforms with local electrical codes.

Traditional cable management is the simplest way to hide cords on walls. Include cable management in your construction or remodel plan. If properly planned, residents can use the same approach in the rest of the house they used for hiding kitchen wires.

• Hide wires, cords and cables in the walls. Determine the best stage of your construction or renovation project to include cable tracks and wall plates. Pre-installed tracks make it easy to run appliance and electronic cords behind walls.
• During a renovation, use a hole saw to cut one hole behind a television or entertainment center to hide tv wires. Cut a matching hole the other near an outlet so the residents can run cables out of view.
• Cable covers and raceways can hide wires and cables in plain sight. They are designed to attach to walls, floors, baseboards and crown molding, or to fit inconspicuously over cabinetry or under countertop overhangs. Pre-cut, pre-painted covers with mounting materials are also available.
• Use cable clips, clamps or zip ties to help tape, tie, tuck or hide appliance cords. These can also be used to run wire or cable along furniture, such as behind desks or along table legs.
• Area rugs can conceal wires or cables on the floor as long as they do not create tripping hazards.
• Cable management boxes can help gather charger cords, cables and power strips on desks or floors and make cleaning easier.

Pro tip: When attaching or storing multiple cords, label each one to making sorting easier.

Internet routers have become common equipment in home offices or elsewhere in a residence. They also should be stored with at least 4 inches of space on each side to keep the vents unobstructed, so they can be challenging to keep out of view. Consider these methods for how to hide a router.

• Put the router in a lidded basket, cane-front cabinet or other storage container that provides adequate space and ventilation.
• Conceal routers behind such decoration as picture frames, artwork or indoor plants.
• Place the router atop a tall bookshelf or cabinet or mount it out of view.
• Putting a router on or near the floor is an option, but the lower the router, the less effective the signal may be.

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