Living in a compact studio apartment, I consider even the smallest gains in my living space big wins. A single inch could determine whether or not a piece of furniture fits, or give me the clearance I need to be able to open my closet door. And as appreciative as I am of every single wall outlet in an apartment constructed in the 1920s, I’ve also experienced the frustration of losing a few precious inches of my living area because I’m unable to push furniture up against the wall of an outlet that’s in use.
Meanwhile, in another tax bracket, there’s someone trying to mount their flat-screen TV to a wall in an attempt to disguise it as a piece of framed art. Obviously, visible cords aren’t an option, but even if there’s a perfectly placed wall outlet, there’ll still be a small gap between the TV and the wall to accommodate the plug. In this case—as well as in mine, if my lease permitted it—recessed outlets may be the solution. Here’s what to know.
Unlike traditional outlets, recessed outlets have a plate that is set deeper into the wall (or floor), so that when it’s in use, the plugs aren’t protruding and wasting space. As I alluded to earlier, recessed outlets make it possible to place furniture, appliances, and wall-mounted flat-screen TVs flush against a wall with an electrical socket, even when items are plugged in. Not only does this save some space, but it will eliminate the awkward gap between a piece of furniture and the wall, where household items like keys, remotes, and all the pens disappear.
If you haven’t encountered recessed outlets before, here are a few examples of some of the different options available:
Leviton Recessed Duplex Receptacle ($9.99): A solid basic option, this model is available in white, ivory, light almond, and black.
Top Greener Recessed Single Receptacle Outlet With Clock Hanger Hook ($9.99): Comes with a built-in hook that makes it easy to plug in a wall clock and hang it up.
DataComm Electronics Recessed Low Voltage Mid-Size Plate with Duplex Receptacle ($23.90): Can be used to install power and low voltage cables behind wall-mounted flat-screen TVs and other electronics.
Sleek Socket Ultra-Thin Outlet Concealer ($21.55): This isn't a recessed outlet, but it provides a similar solution with no installation, and leaves you with three outlets instead of two.
The process of installing a recessed outlet is essentially the same as installing a regular outlet. It involves stripping, cutting, and connecting wires, as opposed to simply screwing in a wall plate covering an outlet. If you're comfortable putting in a regular outlet, you should have no problem with a recessed one. Otherwise, an outlet concealer or flat plug extension cord may be your best bet.
