{"id":5207,"date":"2022-08-27T16:42:45","date_gmt":"2022-08-27T20:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/?p=5207"},"modified":"2024-02-27T08:21:03","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T13:21:03","slug":"where-to-put-outlets-in-kitchen-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/where-to-put-outlets-in-kitchen-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Where To Put Outlets In Kitchen Islands (+ How To Install)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Best Places To Install Kitchen Island Outlets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wondering where you can (and should) install outlets on a kitchen island? Well, look no further because I have your answer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be code compliant in most jurisdictions, kitchen islands are required to have at least one GFCI outlet or a regular outlet connected to a GFCI outlet installed. The outlet can be installed on the back or side of the island, but it cannot be installed below a countertop overhang that extends over 6 inches from the base.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s break into the details further so you can install outlets on your kitchen island with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quick Navigation: How To Install Outlets In Kitchen Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Measure & Mark The Side Of The Kitchen Island Closest To The Sink<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Cut The Kitchen Island With An Oscillating Multi-Tool<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Install The Shallow Old-Construction Outlet Box<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Install A GFCI Outlet & Screw On A GFCI Outlet Plate Cover<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Other FAQs About Outlets In Kitchen Islands<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Related Kitchen Island Articles<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Level Of Difficulty<\/th>Time To Complete<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Medium<\/td>30-60 Minutes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    Material List<\/th>Tool List<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Painter’s Tape<\/a><\/td>Oscillating Multi-Tool<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
    Wire Nuts<\/a> (12 or 14 guage)<\/td>Electric Current Tester<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
    Deep Old-Construction Outlet Box<\/a> or Shallow Old-Construction Outlet Box<\/a>* (2)<\/td>Wire Stripper<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
    GFCI Outlet<\/a> or Regular Outlet<\/a>* (2)<\/td>Screwdriver<\/td><\/tr>
    GFCI Outlet Plate Cover<\/a> or Regular Outlet Plate Cover<\/a>* (2)<\/td>Tape Measure<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
    <\/td>Contractor Pencil<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    *According to most state codes, GFCI outlets are required for installations around kitchen countertops. However, if you run an outlet off another GFCI outlet in the kitchen, then a regular outlet can be used. Check your state’s local electric code to ensure this before proceeding. If you are using a regular outlet, then use a shallow old-construction outlet box (8 cubic inches). If you are using a GFCI outlet, then use a deep old-construction outlet box (20 cubic inches)<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step One: Measure & Mark The Side Of The Kitchen Island Closest To The Sink <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The best location to install outlets on a kitchen island is typically on a side without an overhang, preferably nearest the sink and\/or stove. This location will be most convenient to use small appliances such as a crockpot, toaster, blender, etc while cooking.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Keep in mind, according to most states\u2019 Electrical Code*, receptacles (aka outlets) cannot be installed underneath a countertop overhang that extends 6 inches from the cabinet base. Since the backside of kitchen islands usually have an overhang, the best location for the outlet is on the side without the overhang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (*Be sure to check your local Electrical Code<\/a> before installing outlets in your kitchen island to ensure you are staying compliant. Each state has completely different rules, so your rules might not be strict on the placement of the outlets!)<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Trim adds a custom touch while also finishing the back of your kitchen island.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To install a regular outlet on the side of a kitchen island cabinet, you need to use this shallow old-construction outlet box found at Amazon<\/a> that is much more shallow than standard outlet boxes. The shallow box helps to ensure the outlet can\u2019t be hit by drawers sliding in and out or other items being put into and pulled out of the cabinet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (If you are using a GFCI outlet though, you are going to need this deep old-construction outlet box found at Amazon<\/a> because GFCIs take up more room in the outlet boxes.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I recommend installing a minimum of 2 outlets on your kitchen island so that you have plenty of room to plug in small appliances while cooking or hosting. There have been several times when we\u2019ve hosted a party and were glad that we had plenty of outlets to plug crockpots and other food warmers into.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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    Now that you\u2019ve narrowed down the location your outlets are going to be installed, it\u2019s time to measure and mark where you need to cut the cabinet. I recommend keeping the outlets no more than 6-8 inches below the bottom of the countertop, so they are easily within reach when you need them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If it\u2019s possible based on where your countertop overhangs, it\u2019s best to have at least one outlet on each side of the island. However, if you have an overhang on one side as we do, then installing both outlets next to each other works as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Before you mark where the outlet needs to go, first put painter\u2019s tape over the spot on the cabinet where the outlet will go. While cutting the cabinet, the painter\u2019s tape will help prevent the cabinet finish from chipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Then, hold up the backside (the smaller side) of the outlet box against the painter\u2019s tape on the cabinet and trace the outside of it with a pencil. This pencil tracing is where you are going to cut the cabinet in the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    This doesn’t have to be an exact measurement. I’m just showing you roughly where we placed ours. We tried to make them both equal distance from the top and sides so everything looked symmetrical.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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    Note: <\/strong>For this tutorial, I assume an electric wire has already been run through the subfloor to the bottom of the kitchen island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Electrical wiring must run under the subfloor, through the bottom of the cabinet, along the back wall of the cabinet, and to the side of the cabinet where the outlet is going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    If you have not run an electrical wire to a spot underneath where your island will be, then check out this video that shows how a concrete subfloor is broken up to run the wiring. After that is done, then you can install your kitchen island following my tutorial here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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