Home Reno Guide: Getting Electricity to a Kitchen Island

The kitchen is the heart of your home. When considering a kitchen renovation, many homeowners are now adding an island to serve as the centralized hub and command center for pretty much everything in life. Islands work as cooking/dining area, workspace, an oversized charging station for family devices, and more. It needs the right power to handle all your family throws at it. 

If your kitchen island is currently not wired for electricity or you’re giving your home a revamp, adding electricity is vital. But what does wiring really take for your kitchen island? Our electricians at Axiom Power have put together some basic tips and ideas for getting your kitchen island wired right!  

Benefits of Kitchen Island Electricity 

When you’re redoing or building a new custom kitchen, you want to put thought into both form and function.  

Did you know that having an electrical outlet is not just about convenience?  Currently, the National Electrical Code requires islands with a countertop larger than 12-by-24 inches to have a receptacle.  

Older homes in the Tampa Bay area may not have these up to code electrical receptacles so when renovating it’s important to have a licensed electrician to make sure everything is wired properly. Call our local electrical contractors to help with your kitchen redesign or build-out.  

Possibilities with Your Kitchen Island 

The uses for your kitchen island are endless! But if your island is lacking electricity you may be missing out on getting the full enjoyment from your kitchen. What can you do with your island once it is wired for electricity? Our clients are enjoying: 

Charging 

Smartphones, iPads, tablets, smart picture frames, and more! We are so connected these days to technology and having kitchen island outlets just for charging your devices is imperative. Physical cookbooks are a thing of the past, and the last thing you want to happen is to have your phone run out of battery as you’re using it for a recipe.  

Smart Technology 

Home automation and smart technology are becoming increasingly popular in homes. Setting up your island with smart technology requires electrical outlets.   

Cooking 

Cooking today is more than just the oven and stovetop. Think of all the things you use that require an outlet: toaster oven, air fryer, coffee maker, juicers…whatever your cooking style is, you’ll need electricity to make mealtime happen. 

Lighting 

While not generally in the island (though we could integrate some into drawers, bins, or under the cabinets for late-night kitchen visits), you’ll want to consider lighting position to best show off your new island too. Pendants, recessed can lights, or track lighting, we can help wire and install it all! 

Kitchen Island Electrical Outlet Options 

Now that we’ve established a need for electrical outlets, what options are out there for an island? Before you begin wiring your island for electricity, you will need to know what kind of outlets you want/meet the needs for your island’s function. 

Pop-up 

This outlet style is the most inconspicuous. It offers a low profile and is only seen when you use it. It is almost futuristic—you simply press on the top of the “outlet” and it pops out, usually in the form of a tower. When not in use, it offers a pretty seamless profile.  

Idea: add a garage disposal button too instead of the switch typically found underneath the sink. 

Recessed 

Recessed outlets are like normal outlets, but sit deeper in the outlet. This allows plugs and connectors to not protrude out as far and can improve the overall look and appearance of having things plugged in, as well as not sticking out impeding the walkway space around your island. 

USB Outlets 

USB power outlets allow you to conveniently charge multiple devices on your island. USB outlets are not as cumbersome as a regular outlet, and can even sit flush.  

Charging Drawer  

If you really want to disguise your outlets, consider adding your outlet receptacle to the inside of a drawer.  

By having a dedicated “charging drawer” for your electronics no one will ever have to see the outlets or the devices being charged. This type of outlet option is a terrific choice for any modern home. 

Electrical for A Kitchen Island 

Excited for your kitchen renovation project to begin?  

Running electricity to a kitchen island is not something for a beginner DIY-er. A home renovation is not as easy as it looks on TV. Messing with electricity is dangerous if you are not a licensed expert. Make sure to call Axiom Power and let us do the job for you! 

Wiring your island will have to be done from either the ceiling down or from the floor up. Assess your island from top to bottom and see which way makes sense for your island space. 

The best way to wire your kitchen island is through the floor coming up, but this way is not always the easiest. A lot of homes in the Tampa Bay area have concrete slabs, which makes this task harder unless we’re involved with a new custom home build. For older homes, running wiring up from a crawlspace may best and easiest solution.   

If your island is attached to a decorative pillar at one end, you can run the wiring down from the ceiling or attic and hide the wires behind the column.  

Get Your Kitchen Island Wired with Axiom Power 

Whether you are looking to add electricity to an old island or rebuilding a new island to give your home an updated look, let Axiom Power do the wiring for you. We will assess your space and figure out the best way to get electricity to your kitchen island.  

Ready to take your kitchen to the next level? Call us at (813) 308-9328 or contact our residential electrical contractors to schedule an appointment.