The Unexpected Kitchen Reno Choice That Can Stop Countertop Clutter

The kitchen could easily become the most overcrowded room in the home. Not only does it see the entire family and visitors during meals, but it also houses many tools and appliances that are necessities. Since so many kitchen staples need to be easily reachable, these items often end up living on the countertop for the long term, meaning countertops can quickly become a cluttered mess as a result. When it comes to keeping kitchen countertops clutter-free, you may think your only option is to purge some of your useful kitchen essentials and get rid of them. Luckily, there are other kitchen reno choices that you can make, which will free up space without needing to sacrifice your supplies, including clever placement of outlets.

Hefty appliances are a common offender of taking up far too much valuable countertop space. Designating them to a different surface in the kitchen is a smart fix. The best way to do this is to diversify where outlets are placed in the kitchen. Ideally, multiple outlets should be added throughout the kitchen, including in areas away from the countertop for practicality. This way, your work area is no longer the only functional surface. Appliances can then be plugged in and used in different corners of the kitchen, and the countertop is no longer guaranteed to see so much foot traffic in such a busy space.

The backsplash is commonly a typical area for outlets to reside in the kitchen, although it greatly limits where appliances can be placed when in use. As well, many kitchen islands have been fitted with outlets on their side panels. But in busy households, dangling wires from the side of the kitchen island can become a tripping hazard. Modern technology has led to the creation of several options you can use instead of island side outlets, including custom power tracks that can be installed on bar carts or the creation of a sleek wooden outlet column. 

If you're worried that outlets will be an eyesore, consider hidden kitchen outlets for your next reno. These hidden outlets can be added in the pantry or within cabinetry. Contemporary pop-up outlets can be activated when needed and then closed and unseen in the meantime. This is also a safe option as the outlets will be disguised from children, making sure they won't be in use when supervision is not around. And it assures that water or spills will not compromise the outlet when it is not being used. Not to mention, the surface of these units can be outfitted with trendy materials, including brass, to blend in with the surrounding aesthetic. Another great way to maximize space that would otherwise go unused is by adding a power strip with several outlets underneath kitchen cabinets. This solution makes multiple outlets easily accessible, but elevated and out of sight.