Extension cords fading out as homes get built-in power outlets where they're actually needed
New and renovated apartments increasingly plan electrical wiring together with interior design, placing outlets exactly where furniture will stand instead of relying on trailing extension cords.
A power strip stretched across half a room used to be a common sight in homes where a desk or lamp sat far from the nearest outlet. According to the outlet "Startlap", interior design and electrical wiring layout are now frequently planned together, with sockets installed based on where furniture will eventually be placed.
Living areas and desks
When a sofa, armchair or small table stands away from the wall, a practical option is a floor-mounted socket. A mounting box with a lid is fitted into the flooring, holding a standard 230-volt outlet that stays nearly invisible until needed — simply open the lid to plug in a lamp, laptop or charger, avoiding a cable running across the entire room.
A similar approach works for home office desks. A socket module built into the desktop blends in when not in use, but once opened or slid out, it reveals two or more standard outlets, sometimes alongside USB-A and USB-C ports for laptops, phones or desk lamps. Cables for monitors and computers can be routed through a dedicated opening under the desk, connecting to a secondary extension cord or a hidden built-in socket, keeping the area free of tangled cords.
Bedrooms and kitchens
In bedrooms, outlets no longer need to sit behind the nightstand — they can be placed on its side or top, and some furniture now includes a charging port built directly into a drawer. In kitchens, pop-up sockets built into the countertop are gaining popularity: nearly invisible when idle, they can be raised via a mechanism to power a blender, toaster or hand mixer, then tucked away again afterward.
The article's authors caution that installing such solutions requires accounting for the distance from water sources and following manufacturer requirements, and recommend leaving connections to the fixed electrical grid to a professional electrician.
Extension cords aren't obsolete yet
Old extension cords shouldn't be thrown out just yet, the article notes — they remain useful when rearranging furniture, setting up Christmas lights, or temporarily powering a device in a spot without a planned outlet. However, if a household relies on extension cords and power strips constantly, the authors suggest having a specialist assess whether additional fixed outlets are needed.
