I wanted to share with you a cool new product that recently came onto the market. No, this is not an advertisement; don't close this screen!!! Rather it's a product I had a brief presentation of in my dayjob / real world and was so impressed I wanted to share.
The product was developed locally and just a month ago went into production (made in nearby Charlottesville, VA). The concept is HIDDEN OUTLETS people. Don't we all hate staring at them? By code they're required in places you would never use them -well now you can have your cake and eat it too aka not see them.
These images are from their website showing 'before' and 'afters'. Above you can see 2 typical outlets flanking a fireplace mantel. These would never be used, right?
Here is the 'after' - the outlets are hidden! Basically the outlet sits in a little box with a paintable plastic cover that can even have your wallpaper applied to it.
Another spot outlets are required and rarely if ever used are in powder rooms. Above you can see the unsightly GFI outlet.
And here it is with Covered Components - the cover is painted to blend in with the wall.
Here are some pictures I took of a sample board shown in the presentation -on the left is a typical outlet and on the right, the covered Component - practically invisible. For $13 each this is a real find and I expect to be seeing a lot of these! Now in all fairness, I can't imagine using this in high-use spots. The large transformers that are on many low-voltage lights and chargers for our laptops won't easily fit within these recessed boxes (although you could use an adapter). I also can't imagine them in a kitchen honestly because you would constantly be opening and closing the cover. I think these are great for hallways, powder rooms, low-use spots, etc and you can't beat the price!
So what do you think of covered components? They are available for sale on their website
HERE.
As stated, I received no compensation for this post, I just wanted to share a cool new product!
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18 comments:
Wow - great idea! Thanks for sharing. I need one of these for an awkwardly placed light switch - wonder if they'll develop those too?
Very cool!
Love them! I need to get some for here. I did try and match fittings of the room but they are still a bit of an eyesore...
Agree: most cool. Next on the attack list: a way electricians can perfectly line up outlets. No tilting allowed! Maybe it's a just a Kansas thing.
Michelle -not sure if the light switches would meet code unfortunately though -I think you have to be able to see them? Great idea though!
HBD - YES - thats just laziness really. A common ailment everywhere with all trades! haha
I have a spot or two for these! thanks, donna
I can see this being a popular item amongst designers and the like. I do wonder how easy they are to retro fit. I would imagine that they can't be used in tiled applications like a bathroom. I can think of several spots that I would love to have these.
Stefan, thank you! I cannot believe the places I have seen unnecessary outlets, and then of course the places in our homes where they are needed and missing. A great idea!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Coco Chanel
Ah, yes! Visible and unnecessary outlets – the bane of any room. And that's saying nothing about the clunkiest switches in the world that are somehow never quite horizontal or square, always prominently placed and … I think I might have an attack of the vapors just thinking about it all. I'm glad someone is finally trying to do something about what we have to put up with because of codes.
Fantastic !
I so need these! And so do my clients. What a clever, clever invention.
I have the perfect place the test these out. So simple, yet so functional!
Yes, a great idea.
Another alternative is readily available cooper wiring decorator devices with cooper wiring decorator screwless device wallplates - simple clean and unadorned....
That is absolutely different and wonderful. Now if someone could only make a superthin lamp cord! Thanks for posting this. Ordering for my kitchen now.
one of those so simple solutions that one thinks "why didn't i think of that!"
cannot convey how excited i am about these and how helpful this will be to so many clients. thanks for the share stefan!
debra
Stefan,
WOW I love this idea, do you know any magic solutions to cover up ugly ceiling air conditioning vents? Lots of bloggers will photoshop them out but I don't. Thanks for sharing this idea. I enjoyed your visit and look forward to your kitchen reveal.
sending hugs from exhausted in Philly!
xo
Very clever! Pity we didn't know about this sooner.
We are, however, allowed to have our outlets at skirting board height, and so ours will blend a little more being the same colour as the skirting boards, rather than having a white box on a coloured wall.
I know that in the UK now you are not allowed to have outlets in the skirting boards. Is it the same in the US?
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