Have any ideas for an extra electrical outlet?
August 7, 2022 9:34 PM Subscribe
I have an electrical outlet that I can't use for normal purposes. Any ideas on gadgets I can plug in directly that will be useful in some way?
I have an electrical outlet that's a standard 3-prong dual outlet that's about a foot off the floor. It was previously hidden behind a bookcase but a room redesign exposed it. It's next to the bookcase now, and there's no access behind the bookcase, so there's no way for me to put a table there, or a lamp, or put anything into the bookcase as the cord would have to go across the front.
So I'm wondering whether there are any cool things that plug directly into an outlet that I could put on that. Like, a plug-in air freshener, but I don't really need that. Any ideas?
I have an electrical outlet that's a standard 3-prong dual outlet that's about a foot off the floor. It was previously hidden behind a bookcase but a room redesign exposed it. It's next to the bookcase now, and there's no access behind the bookcase, so there's no way for me to put a table there, or a lamp, or put anything into the bookcase as the cord would have to go across the front.
So I'm wondering whether there are any cool things that plug directly into an outlet that I could put on that. Like, a plug-in air freshener, but I don't really need that. Any ideas?
I keep emergency flashlights plugged into spare outlets. They act as motion activated nightlights when there's power and automatically cut on when it goes out. I live in a hurricane and ice storm prone area and knowing where to go to get a flashlight in the case of a power failure without having to burn through my phone battery is nice.
posted by Candleman at 10:25 PM on August 7, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by Candleman at 10:25 PM on August 7, 2022 [8 favorites]
It's always handy do have some emergency lights on standby when the power goes out.
posted by xedrik at 10:26 PM on August 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by xedrik at 10:26 PM on August 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
If you need/want a light, a hanging pendant light or plug in wall sconce are options, or one that clips onto the bookshelf edge.
posted by Crystalinne at 11:15 PM on August 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Crystalinne at 11:15 PM on August 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
You may be able to use a hole saw bit to drill a big hole into the side of the bookcase if you do want to run a cord into it for a lamp etc.
You could run cute fairy lights or cotton ball lights up the side of the bookcase. They make upscale ones that don’t look like a dorm room.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 11:15 PM on August 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
You could run cute fairy lights or cotton ball lights up the side of the bookcase. They make upscale ones that don’t look like a dorm room.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 11:15 PM on August 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
Amazon used to have Echo Flex that goes directly on the Outlet, but I think they killed that.
I'd say a night-light that also doubles as an emergency flashlight.
posted by kschang at 12:41 AM on August 8, 2022
I'd say a night-light that also doubles as an emergency flashlight.
posted by kschang at 12:41 AM on August 8, 2022
Powerline wifi extender
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:06 AM on August 8, 2022
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:06 AM on August 8, 2022
I have some clip on lights on my bookshelves; the cords run behind to an outlet. I use these for general room lighting or when I need to find a book. I did have to put a hole in the back of 1 bookcase for a small stereo electrical plug. Tiny LED rice lights or other fairly lights are always welcome in my home.
Otherwise, you might occasionally want a fan, but no need to use power simply because an outlet exists.
posted by theora55 at 8:22 AM on August 8, 2022
Otherwise, you might occasionally want a fan, but no need to use power simply because an outlet exists.
posted by theora55 at 8:22 AM on August 8, 2022
If it is a convenient place to charge devices you could put a small outlet shelf in, something like this (if you have an ereader you want next to your bookshelf that might be really convenient)
posted by I paid money to offer this... insight? at 11:19 AM on August 8, 2022
posted by I paid money to offer this... insight? at 11:19 AM on August 8, 2022
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You could paint the plate cover and just put some childproof plugs into the the outlet and include those in the paint design art work.
Could make charging station and get some 10ft usb cords. Could make the charging station such that you paint it to look like a mini bookcase.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:45 PM on August 7, 2022 [3 favorites]