Do I Need an Outlet on My Waterfall Island?

One of the most common questions I hear from homeowners designing a kitchen is:

“Do I really need an outlet on my island — especially if it has a clean waterfall countertop design?”

The short answer? Yes. But there’s a smart and stylish way to do it without disrupting your beautiful finish.

Why Are Outlets Required on Kitchen Islands?

According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), kitchen islands that have a usable countertop surface of at least 12 inches in any direction must include at least one electrical outlet. The rule is there to ensure you have a safe and accessible way to plug in small kitchen appliances like mixers, blenders, or even just to charge a phone while you prep meals. So whether your island has a sink, a cooktop, or is just a flat slab for prep and seating — if it qualifies in size, you need an outlet.

Minimum Number of Outlets matters.

• Minimum One: One receptacle is required for the first 9 square feet of countertop.

• For each additional 18 square feet of usable countertop, another receptacle is required.

  For Example: If an island has 24(4’X6’) square feet of usable countertop, two receptacles are required.

The Design Dilemma: Waterfall Countertops

Now here’s where design and code clash a bit. A waterfall-style countertop is one where the stone material continues down the sides of the island, all the way to the floor. It creates a seamless, sculptural look that’s become a hallmark of high-end kitchen design. But when it comes to installing outlets, that same clean, uninterrupted surface becomes a challenge. You don’t want a bulky, traditional outlet box messing up that gorgeous slab of quartz or marble.

Our Solution: Discreet, Round Outlets on Each Side

Here’s what we recommend — and it works beautifully both for code compliance and clean aesthetics:

Install a single, round, low-profile outlet on each side of the waterfall island, near the seating area or tucked underneath the overhang. These circular outlets are much less noticeable than traditional rectangular ones, and when painted or matched with the surface, they almost disappear into the background.

This solution offers:

• Full NEC code compliance

• Convenient power access from either side

• Minimal visual disruption to the stone finish

• A balanced, symmetrical design

It’s little details like this that make a remodel feel both functional and beautiful. Just because the code requires something doesn’t mean it has to ruin your design — Let’s make your dream kitchen both code-compliant and beautiful.