Can I include hidden compartments for electronics and chargers? (Kitchen | Kitchen Cabinetry & Storage Solutions)

Published on 6 December 2025 at 10:11

If you’ve ever felt your kitchen bench turning into a charging station jungle—phones everywhere, tablets balancing on chopping boards, USB cables tangling like noodles—you’re definitely not alone. And this leads straight into one of the most common questions Sydney homeowners ask during a kitchen renovation:

“Can I include hidden compartments for electronics and chargers in my new kitchen?”

The answer is a confident, absolutely-yes, no-hesitation, 100% go for it.
Hidden charging stations and built-in tech compartments are becoming one of the hottest kitchen cabinetry upgrades across Sydney, from compact apartment renovations in Mascot, Wentworth Point, and Pyrmont, to large family home makeovers in Castle Hill, Ryde, Strathfield, and Carlingford.

Let’s break everything down so you can decide how to integrate smart, clutter-free tech storage into your kitchen design.


Why Hidden Tech Storage Is Becoming a Standard Feature in Sydney Kitchens

In modern households, the kitchen is the real “command centre”—not the living room, and definitely not the study. This is where homework happens, shopping lists get created, recipes are pulled up, and everyone tends to drop their devices at the end of the day.

Here are the top reasons Sydney homeowners are embracing hidden tech compartments:


1. Eliminates Benchtop Clutter

Nothing kills a beautiful stone benchtop faster than:

  • random chargers

  • loose cables

  • powerboards

  • devices charging everywhere

For open-plan homes in Leichhardt, Five Dock, Greenacre, and Homebush, where the kitchen is visible from every angle, hidden power solutions help maintain that clean designer look.


2. Improves Safety in Wet or Busy Areas

Electronics and water are enemies.
And we all know Sydney kitchens—someone’s always cooking, kids are running around, the kettle is boiling, and someone else is washing up.

Hidden storage compartments:

  • keep devices away from splashes

  • reduce trip hazards

  • avoid cable catches

  • improve child safety

Much appreciated in family homes across Kellyville, The Ponds, Schofields, and Baulkham Hills.


3. Supports Smart Home Integration

Sydney homes are getting smarter. People are using:

  • tablets for recipes

  • Google Home or Alexa for timers

  • video doorbells

  • integrated appliances

A concealed charging station—or dedicated tech drawer—keeps all of this organised without disrupting your kitchen’s aesthetic.


4. Future-Proofs Your Kitchen Design

Charging needs will only increase.
And because homeowners across Chatswood, Epping, Eastwood, and St Ives often stay in their homes long-term, adding built-in tech compartments helps your kitchen stay modern for the next decade.


What Types of Hidden Compartments Can You Add?

You have a lot of options—more than most people realise. Let’s go through the most popular selections MB9 installs across Sydney kitchens.


1. Hidden Charging Drawers

This is the big one. The superstar.

A charging drawer includes:

  • Internal powerpoints

  • USB ports (or USB-C)

  • Cable management channels

  • Fire-safe ventilation

  • Anti-slip matting

You slide the drawer open → toss in your phone → close it → done.
No mess, no clutter, no visible cables.

These drawers are super popular in Inner West renovations—Newtown, Annandale, Glebe, Rozelle—where bench space is precious and aesthetics matter.


2. Pop-Up Power Towers

A vertical tower that hides inside the benchtop and pops up when pressed.

Great for:

  • island benches

  • breakfast bars

  • multitasking households

Perfect for modern kitchens in Zetland, Waterloo, Rhodes, and Wolli Creek.

They allow you to plug in:

  • laptops

  • phones

  • mixers

  • air fryers

  • plus any USB charging

Then you push it down—and voila, the bench is clean again.


3. Integrated Appliance Nooks With Charging Stations

Think of a mini tech cubby for:

  • tablets

  • smart speakers

  • portable appliances

  • coffee machine electronics

  • power packs and cables

These are often concealed behind:

  • pocket doors

  • bi-fold cabinet doors

  • retractable panels

These designs are extremely popular in semi-detached houses and terraces in Marrickville, Petersham, Paddington, and Surry Hills, where keeping the kitchen looking elegant is a priority.


4. Under-Cabinet Charging Shelves

Slim recessed shelves built under the upper cabinets.

They can include:

  • LED lighting

  • cable slots

  • inset wireless charging pads

These are amazing for minimalist kitchens in Neutral Bay, Mosman, Kirribilli, and Cremorne.


5. Hidden Wireless Charging Built Into the Benchtop

Yes—this is possible.

No visible hardware.
No cables.
No chargers sitting around.

Simply place your device on the marked spot and it charges through the benchtop material.

Tech-forward families in Pymble, Killara, Turramurra, and Hornsby love this option.


Where Should You Place Hidden Compartments?

Strategic placement is everything. MB9 follows a workflow-analysis approach—designing according to your household habits.


1. Charging Drawers Near the Entry Point

Ideal in homes where everyone drops their devices in the kitchen the moment they walk in.

Common in renovations in:

  • Blacktown

  • Granville

  • Bankstown

  • Lidcombe


2. Pop-Up Towers on the Island Bench

Perfect for large, social islands in:

  • Kellyville Ridge

  • Glenwood

  • The Hills District


3. Hidden Shelves Near the Pantry

Great for:

  • iPads

  • recipe devices

  • Bluetooth speakers

Popular in family homes in Cherrybrook, West Pennant Hills, Beecroft, and neighbouring suburbs.


4. Under-Cabinet Tech Zones Near the Cooking Area

For quick access to timers, video calls, or recipes.


Are Hidden Electronics Compartments Safe?

A very important question—and the answer is yes, as long as they’re properly designed.

MB9 uses:

  • fire-rated components

  • safe ventilation

  • Australian-certified powerpoints

  • licensed electricians

  • child-safe layouts

Every installation complies with NSW regulations and strata rules (for units).


What Materials and Hardware Work Best?

Sydney homeowners tend to prefer:

  • Blum (high-end hinges and drawer runners)

  • Hettich

  • Häfele tech-ready cabinetry hardware

Benchtop materials compatible with wireless charging include:

  • engineered stone

  • laminate

  • some quartz products

  • certain natural stones depending on thickness

MB9 checks material compatibility before installation.


What About Cost?

The good news?
Hidden tech compartments are not as expensive as people expect.

Cost depends on:

  • number of powerpoints

  • type of hardware

  • drawer size

  • wiring complexity

  • need for custom cabinetry

But in most Sydney renovations, this upgrade is considered a high-value, mid-level cost addition.
You pay a little extra but get years of convenience.


Do Hidden Compartments Increase Home Resale Value?

Absolutely.

Buyers in Sydney love:

  • modern tech

  • smart storage

  • clutter-free kitchens

  • future-ready layouts

In suburbs like Concord, Eastwood, Ryde, Kingsford, and Kogarah, these features can make your property stand out instantly.


Final Thoughts: Are Hidden Charging Compartments Worth Adding?

If you want a kitchen that looks clean, functions smartly, and supports everyday tech use, hidden compartments for electronics and chargers are one of the smartest additions you can make.

They help you:

  • keep the benchtop tidy

  • charge devices safely

  • enhance your home’s value

  • prepare your kitchen for the future

  • improve daily life for everyone in the household

Whether you live in a terrace in Redfern, a contemporary apartment in Olympic Park, or a large family home in West Ryde, MB9 can tailor the perfect hidden tech storage solution to suit your lifestyle.


For more ideas, inspiration, and expert guidance on Sydney kitchen renovations, visit www.mb9.com.au to learn more about kitchen renovation and bathroom renovation services from MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.

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