20 Places to Add an Outlet During Your Next Renovation

You probably have a few places in your home where you wish you could plug something in without dragging out an extension cord or moving furniture. While you’re updating your kitchen, bathroom, or other rooms, think about where you use electronics, appliances, and chargers. Adding outlets in a few strategic spots can make your home more convenient and help cut down on cords running across floors and countertops. Here are 20 places you may want to add an outlet during your next renovation.

Key Takeaways

• Plan outlet locations before your renovation starts, especially if you’re opening walls or replacing cabinets.
• Think about where you regularly use appliances, chargers, lamps, and other electronics.
• Kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, closets, and home offices are common places where extra outlets can come in handy.
• Consider outlets behind furniture, inside certain cabinets, and near seating areas to reduce visible cords.
• Add outlets for holiday decorations, outdoor equipment, and other things you only use occasionally.

1. Inside a Kitchen Appliance Garage

An appliance garage is a cabinet or enclosed space where you can keep small kitchen appliances, such as a toaster, blender, or coffee maker, out of sight. Adding an outlet nearby can make it easier to use appliances without moving them across the kitchen.

If you’re planning an appliance garage, talk to your electrician and cabinet installer before construction starts. Electrical codes and appliance manufacturers may restrict using appliances inside enclosed cabinets, even when an outlet is installed. You may need to pull appliances onto the counter before operating them.

2. In a Kitchen Island

Kitchen islands are great for preparing food, but they’re also handy places to use mixers, blenders, and other small appliances. Having an outlet in the right spot can keep you from running cords across the kitchen.

3. Near Your Coffee Station

If you have a designated coffee station, consider adding an outlet or two in that area. You may need to plug in a coffee maker, grinder, milk frother, or electric kettle. Think about how many appliances you use at the same time. You may find that having multiple outlets is more convenient than constantly unplugging one appliance to use another.

4. Inside a Pantry

A pantry outlet can be useful for charging a cordless vacuum, powering pantry lighting, or using certain small appliances in a designated work area. If you have a walk-in pantry, think about adding an outlet near the floor for cleaning equipment or at a counter-height work surface if you have one.

5. Behind the Refrigerator

Most refrigerators need an outlet behind or near them, but if you’re remodeling your kitchen, it’s worth checking whether the existing outlet is in a convenient location. You may also need electrical access for a separate freezer, beverage refrigerator, or wine cooler.

6. Inside a Bathroom Vanity

An outlet inside a bathroom vanity can make it easier to store and charge electric toothbrushes, shavers, and other grooming devices without leaving everything on the counter. You may also want a designated place for a hair dryer or styling tools. Some specialty drawer systems have built-in electrical features and safety controls.

Bathroom outlets have specific electrical safety requirements, so have your electrician determine where outlets can be installed and what protection they need.

7. Near the Toilet

If you’re thinking about installing a bidet seat or smart toilet, consider adding an outlet near the toilet during your bathroom renovation. Many electric bidet seats need power for features like heated water, heated seats, and air drying. Planning the outlet location before installing tile or moving plumbing can save you from having to redo work later.

8. Behind a Bathroom Mirror

Some bathroom mirrors have built-in lighting, defogging features, or other electrical components. If you’re planning to install one, you may need a power connection behind the mirror. Not all mirrors use a standard plug-in outlet. Some require hardwiring, so choose the mirror before your electrician finishes the electrical work.

9. Inside a Bedroom Closet

A closet outlet can be handy for charging a cordless vacuum, powering certain closet accessories, or adding built-in lighting. If you’re installing a custom closet system, talk to your electrician about where electrical connections could be useful before the shelves and drawers go in. And make sure outlets aren’t covered by clothing, blocked by storage containers, or placed where cords could be damaged.

10. Behind Your Nightstand

If you charge your phone, smartwatch, earbuds, or other electronics beside your bed, you probably know how quickly cords can get tangled. Adding outlets near your nightstand can make charging easier and keep you from having to reach behind the bed every time you need to plug something in.

Consider an outlet with built-in USB-C charging ports if you regularly charge compatible devices. You may also want enough outlets for a bedside lamp, alarm clock, or other electronics.

11. Behind the Bed

If you’re renovating a bedroom, think about where the bed will go before deciding on outlet locations. An outlet behind the bed may be useful for an adjustable bed frame, powered headboard, or other bedroom furniture that needs electricity.

12. Near the Sofa

If your favorite spot on the sofa is too far from an outlet, you may end up with a charging cable stretched across the living room. Adding an outlet near the sofa can make it easier to charge phones, tablets, and laptops while you’re relaxing.

Think about your furniture arrangement before choosing the location. You may want an outlet near an end table, behind the sofa, or in another spot where cords can stay out of the way.

13. In the Living Room Floor

If your sofa or favorite chair sits in the middle of a large room, a floor outlet may be worth considering. Floor outlets can provide power for lamps and electronics without running cords across walkways. They’re particularly useful in open-concept rooms where furniture isn’t positioned against a wall.

You’ll need a floor-rated electrical box and cover designed for the flooring and installation conditions. This is something to plan early, especially if you’re replacing floors or working with a concrete slab.

14. Behind a Wall-Mounted Television

Wall-mounted televisions look much cleaner when you don’t have a power cord hanging down the wall. Adding an outlet behind the television can help hide the cord. You may also want a recessed media box that provides space for power and low-voltage connections.

15. Under Your Home Office Desk

A home office can need quite a few outlets, especially if you use multiple monitors, a printer, a desktop computer, and other equipment. Instead of relying on a tangle of power strips, consider adding outlets near your desk or workstation.

You might want outlets for:

• Computer equipment
• Monitors
• A printer or scanner
• Desk lamps
• Phone chargers
• A paper shredder
• Speakers
• Other office electronics

Think about where your desk will go and how you’ll manage cords. If you have a built-in desk, plan the electrical connections before installing the cabinetry.

16. In the Laundry Room

Laundry rooms can use more outlets than you might think. Besides the washer and dryer, you may want power for an iron, garment steamer, charging station, or other laundry accessories. If you’re remodeling your laundry room, think about adding an outlet near a folding counter or other work surface.

17. In the Garage

Garages are another place where extra outlets can make everyday tasks easier. Think about where you use tools, charge batteries, or plug in equipment.

You may want outlets near:

• A workbench
• Tool storage cabinets
• A garage refrigerator or freezer
• A wall-mounted vacuum
• Battery charging stations
• A garage door opener
• Seasonal lighting or decorations

If you’re planning to buy an electric vehicle, this is also a good time to discuss EV charging with your electrician. A dedicated charging circuit may be needed, and a hardwired charger may be an option.

18. Near Your Entryway

An entryway outlet can be surprisingly useful. You might want to plug in a lamp, charge a phone, or power a smart home device. If you have a mudroom or built-in entryway bench, consider adding an outlet nearby for charging small electronics.

19. On Your Porch or Patio

Outdoor outlets can come in handy for patio lights, speakers, small appliances, and seasonal decorations. If you’re renovating a porch, deck, or patio, think about where you might need electricity. An outlet near an outdoor seating area could be useful for lighting or charging devices, while another near a grilling area may be helpful for certain outdoor cooking equipment.

20. Near Your Holiday Decorating Spots

If you decorate for holidays, you probably have a few places where an extra outlet would make life easier. Think about where you usually put your Christmas tree, lighted garlands, or other decorations. Adding an outlet nearby can reduce the need for extension cords running across the floor.

You might want outlets near:

• Your usual Christmas tree location
• A fireplace mantel
• A staircase
• A large front window
• The front porch
• Roofline lighting locations

How to Plan Outlet Locations Before Renovating

Before your renovation starts, walk through each room and think about how you use it. Pay attention to the places where you regularly need an extension cord, unplug one device to use another, or move furniture to reach an outlet.

Make a list of the electronics and appliances you use in each room. Then, think about where your furniture, cabinets, and work surfaces will go.

Here are a few things to discuss with your electrician:

• Outlet placement: Where will outlets be easiest to reach without creating cord clutter?
• Number of outlets: Will you need multiple receptacles in areas where you use several devices?
• Dedicated circuits: Do any appliances or electronics need their own circuits?
• USB-C charging: Would built-in charging ports be useful in bedrooms, living rooms, or home offices?
• GFCI protection: Which locations require ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection?
• AFCI protection: Which circuits require arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection?
• Tamper-resistant outlets: Where are tamper-resistant receptacles required?
• Outdoor outlets: Do you need weather-resistant receptacles and weatherproof covers?
• Future needs: Are you planning to add an EV charger, smart toilet, or other electrical equipment later?

Don’t forget to ask about permits and inspections. Electrical requirements vary depending on local codes and which version of the National Electrical Code your area follows.

Outlet FAQs

Where should you add extra outlets in a house?

Some of the most useful places include kitchen islands, near coffee stations, beside beds, behind televisions, near sofas, in home offices, and in garages. You may also want outlets in closets, bathroom vanities, and outdoor living areas, depending on how you use those spaces.

Is it worth adding outlets during a renovation?

Yes, especially if you’re already opening walls or updating wiring. Adding outlets during a renovation may reduce the amount of work needed compared with installing them after the walls and finishes are complete.

How many outlets should a room have?

The number depends on the room’s size, layout, and electrical code requirements. Residential electrical codes include rules for receptacle spacing in many living areas, along with additional requirements for kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces. Your electrician can help you plan enough outlets for both code compliance and everyday convenience.

Can you add an outlet inside a cabinet?

Sometimes. You may install outlets inside certain cabinets for specific uses, but restrictions apply based on location, equipment, and applicable electrical code. Have your electrician review the planned installation, especially for appliance garages, bathroom vanities, and kitchen cabinets.

Are outlets with USB ports worth it?

They can be convenient in places where you frequently charge phones, tablets, and other electronics. USB-C outlets can reduce the need for separate charging adapters.

Can you put an outlet behind a wall-mounted TV?

Yes. An outlet behind a wall-mounted television can help hide the power cord. Recessed media boxes can also provide room for cable connections. Use properly rated in-wall wiring and cable-management products rather than running an ordinary extension cord through the wall.

Should you add outlets to a kitchen island?

It depends on how you use your island. An outlet can be helpful if you regularly use small appliances there. Current electrical codes have specific requirements for island receptacles and future installation provisions, so work with your electrician to choose a compliant location.

Do you need an electrician to install new outlets?

Adding new outlets involves electrical wiring, circuit capacity, and code requirements. Hiring a licensed electrician is the safest approach, especially during renovations involving kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor areas, or new circuits. You may also need electrical permits and inspections.