Electrical Phase|Step 23 of 28
Add Floor Outlets If Needed
Floating furniture arrangements away from walls create a design problem: where do lamps plug in? Floor outlets solve this elegantly with flush-mount boxes hidden under furniture.
Time Required
2-4 hours per outlet
Cost
$200-$500 per outlet
Difficulty
Hard (hire electrician)
When Floor Outlets Make Sense
- Floating sofa arrangement: When the sofa is 3+ feet from any wall and you need table lamps nearby
- Large open rooms: Great rooms where furniture islands sit far from perimeter walls
- Home office zone: A desk in the middle of the room needs power without visible cords across the floor
- Reading nooks: A cozy chair and lamp positioned away from walls
What to Know
- Flush-mount boxes: The brass or nickel cover sits flush with the floor. A spring-loaded lid opens for plug access and closes flat when not in use.
- Location planning: Position under side tables or behind sofa legs where they're hidden. Map exact locations using your furniture layout plan.
- Floor type matters: Easiest to install in wood subfloors with basement or crawl space below. Concrete slab floors require cutting a channel — much more expensive.
- Code requirements: Floor outlets must be GFCI-protected in some jurisdictions. Your electrician will know local requirements.
Pro Tips
- •Install before new flooring: If you're doing new flooring anyway, this is the ideal time. The electrician runs wire through the subfloor before the new surface goes down.
- •Consider the alternative: Flat cord covers that run along the baseboard and floor are a cheaper option ($20-$40) if you only need to reach one outlet.
- •Add data too: While you're opening the floor, consider adding a floor box with both power and ethernet/USB ports for future flexibility.