Kitchen receptacles turned sideways "Landscape" - your thoughts?

Question

I am starting to see more and more kitchen remodel where the kitchen wall receptacles are turned 90 degrees, sideways, as in a "Landscape" versus a "Portrait" orientation.

I believe this is more convenient?  You may have a counter space and you put a coffee maker to the left and a toaster to the right, so a left/right duplex receptacle is more convenient then a top/bottom one.  You are less likely to put strain on one cord when plugging or unplugging the other one.

What are your thoughts on this?  Good idea?  Bad idea?  Doesn't matter?

PLEASE NOTE:  This is in no way related to the endless discussions all over the internet over the years whether the receptacle ground should be UP or DOWN, so PLEASE, don't go there.

Mindy Jensen · Answer

I love the USB outlets! Also, the ground should go toward the bottom :).

My father in law is an electrician, and whenever we remodel a kitchen for personal use, I have him put 2 outlets side by side, in several places in the kitchen. I never want to have to unplug anything in order to plug something else in. Doesn't cost much more, but I have so much more convenience.

Just my two cents. Good luck!

Bryan N. · Answer

All around good info here.  The USB outlets are genius.

Roy N. · Answer

Once ... tenant's drunken brother-in-law threw hockey bag on the island while the receptacle was extended and took it out. ;-)

Sam Leon · Answer

@Roy N. I like the pop outs.

I did put in some under cabinet strips once and it was not well received.  I guess the older retiring population down in South Florida don't like to strain their necks and put on their glasses LOL.

Paul S. · Answer

@Roy N.  thanks for the links. I had not seen the pop-up ones. Have you ever had any issues with those?

Walt Payne · Answer

@Sam Leon  But only if the ground is to the left :)

Sideways doesn't seem to matter much, as far as I have seen but definitely not a negative either.

It is also becoming more common to put additional outlets on the end cabinets, where it makes sense the same as you would on islands. And, if you have a higher end place with lots of counter-top space, even a quad outlet or two comes in handy for chargers, etc.

Sam Leon · Answer

I have been adding at least one of these to every one of my kitchens and tenants love it.

Roy N. · Answer

@Sam Leon

I'll throw a spanner at your immediately off the top.  We are using more hidden power strips and receptacles these days:

Under cabinet

The pop-out (and catch your leg) ... I'm not 100% happy with these ones ... and they are pricy.

The pop-up  - we've been using these for a while and like them.

Roy

Colleen F. · Answer

It also is more friendly to those charger plugs with the box on them. If you  have two of  them you don't need to plug one upside down to fit.  though I do see they are getting away from that big box with plug prongs you would see like for phones.