Flush Electrical Outlets: Trufig, Bocci, Seeless, & More
Bocci, Trufig, and Seeless are just a few of the brands producing flush electrical outlets
Flush outlets are a divisive topic in the construction industry. While some designers and homeowners feel the look is a “must-have," many contractors can’t stand the extra coordination and expense. Some see flush outlets as a hassle for cleaning and service, while others see a delightful, modern detail. So what’s the deal? Today, we’re going in depth (get it?) with flush outlets—describing their installation, highlighting their pros and cons, and profiling a few of the major brands that make flush electrical outlet hardware. Keep reading to learn more about this contentious detail!
Flush Electrical Outlets Explained
Before we get into discussing specific brands and installations, we’re going to take a moment to discuss the flush outlets as a concept. Good design strives to take all elements of a problem into consideration before proposing a solution; one must think creatively to incorporate all items in a way that isn’t distracting or reductive. In architecture and interior design, outlets and switches are items—very necessary, but aesthetically distracting.
examples of misplaced and distracting electrical outlets
To lessen the visual impact of outlets and switches, good designers are always searching for ways to conceal or compose these electrical necessities. Baseboard outlets are an awesome solution to avoiding the clutter of outlets, but they aren’t feasible for every design. Enter flush outlets: they offer a similar integrated appearance that creates an air of calmness and order within a space. Although it’s a small difference in plane, an outlet sitting flush with the face of the wall can have a dramatic impact. Fostering a space that feels more unified and considered than just a bunch of building parts piled together.
flush outlet installation diagram showing the face of the outlet aligned with the adjacent finish
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Flush Electrical Outlets: Pros and Cons
Despite their aesthetic benefits, flush outlets are far from an open and shut case. Check out the general summary of their pros and cons below.
| Pros | Cons |
| Seamless Finishes | Complicated Installation |
| Distraction Reduction | Added Hardware & Labor Costs |
| Integrated Installation | Increased Construction Timeline |
| Maintenance Issues |
Bocci vs Trufig vs SeeLess: Flush Electrical Outlet Brands
To start things off, we've provided a quick comparison between flush electrical outlet brands: rating each system's design, invisibility, build quality, flexibility, installation labor, and cost.
| Brand | Design | Invisibility | Quality | Flexibility | Labor | Cost |
| Bocci | ★★★ | ★★☆ | ★★★ | ★☆☆ | ◆◆◆ | $$$ |
| Trufig | ★★☆ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ◆◆◇ | $$$ |
| SeeLess | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★★☆ | ★★☆ | ◆◆◇ | $$ |
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Bocci 22 Series Flush Electrical Outlet
Bocci flush outlets are one of the most popular flush electrical outlet systems on the market—and it’s easy to see why. The product is well-built and has a playful and enduring appearance.
- Design: The Bocci 22 Series outlets truly feel like a luxury upgrade from a standard duplex. Instead of prioritizing total invisibility (see our Trufig Review or read below), Bocci outlets propose an entirely new design. They’re a delight! The components have an excellent build quality that provide consistent flush installations, and although there isn’t much customization (they come in black, white, and cream) their unique appearance makes them a standout.
- Labor: Each outlet takes a significant amount of labor compared to traditional hardware—even more than Trufig or Seeless. Each outlet requires three rounds of mud and associated sanding. However, the Bocci 22 Series does utilize a standard backbox installed flush with the drywall, so there is less up-front coordination.
- Cost: Bocci 22 Series Outlets range from $175-$650 each, depending on the model. This is quite expensive, and doesn’t include the cost of the additional labor to install.
- Other Concerns: The legality of bocci outlets currently up for debate in some municipalities. Unfortunately, the New York City Electrical Code Interpretation and Revision Committee recently made a ruling requiring additional junction boxes for every Bocci outlet—making their installation even more expensive. Additionally, despite the great build-quality and unique design, we’ve seen several poor installations that end up looking even worse than standard outlets.
For a more in-depth look at Bocci outlets, take a look at our Bocci 22 Series Review to see more detail on the components and installation of these interesting outlets.
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Trufig Mounting Platform Flush Electrical Outlets
Trufig Outlets and Switches are the gold-standard for flush mounted electrical devices, providing a tight-tolerance installation and tons of flexibility.
- Design: Trufig Outlets are definitely the most “invisible” outlets—the design prioritizes total seamlessness with all types of adjacent materials. This is accomplished via magnetic attachment, precision trim, and fine-tune adjustability. The result is an outlet that is truly flush, with a tiny gap between the adjacent materials. Additionally, each trim is designed to be painted or have matching veneer installed over the faceplate to provide a perfect match.
- Labor: Trufig outlets require more early-stage coordination than Bocci outlets due to their integrated gypsum board. The trim must be installed during rough-in, meaning that delays in ordering or manufacturing can delay the progress of a project. However, once the board is installed, it only requires one coat of mud to blend it with the sheetrock, saving a ton of finishing time.
- Cost: The hardware for each Trufig outlet installation costs around $400. Just like Bocci outlets, there is also added cost for coordination and installation, along with extra cost associated with faux-painting the cover to match the adjacent finish.
- Other Concerns: Although Trufig outlets and switches really seem to vanish, they’re still not our favorite. We’ve found the sensation of seeing a Trufig outlet up close to be a bit disorienting—it's an uncomfortable surprise to watch something appear that you didn’t notice originally, and can draw more scrutiny to the installation and finishing.
Want to learn more? Check out our full Trufig Flush Outlet Review.
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SeeLess Solutions Mounting Platform Flush Electrical Outlets
SeeLess flush outlets offer a great look for less than Bocci or Trufig, using an cast gypsum mouting platform to install flush.
- Design: Seeless flush outlet have a similar aesthetic to that of FLUSHTEK—which is to say that we love the design. Utilizing standard electrical parts, Seeless Solutions allow customers to maintain consistent aesthetics throughout their home, across all types of devices. The cast gypsum trim is installed flush with the face of drywall and then skimcoated to form a continuous appearance. They offer a variety of products for many of the pieces of hardware that populate today's homes, so the system is quite flexible as well.
- Labor: Similar to Trufig outlets, Seeless outlets require the assembly to be installed flush with the adjacent material and then taped and skimmed to appear monolithic, however because the Seeless trim is smaller, it does require supplementary support via the attached tabs or blocking. However, it's size does give it the flexibility to be installed before or after rough-in.
- Cost: The Seeless outlet is the least expensive of the options above—although it is still quite expensive for an outlet. Each trim costs around $150, with other larger styles being more expensive. Again, this doesn’t include the cost of installation, which is still quite complex.
- Other Concerns: The adjustability of Seeless outlets poses a potential issue for the system, as flushing the trim with the adjacent wall can be tricky. Although not common, we have seen some installations where the outline of the gypsum base is slightly visible on the face of the finished wall. Furthermore, some users worry about the maintenance of dust and debris getting trapped within the reveal around each outlet.
Other Flush Electrical Outlet Manufacturers
Although companies like Bocci and Trufig (and of course FLUSHTEK) come to mind when thinking about flush outlets, there are actually a variety of companies out there that can help homeowners and contractors install Flush outlets and switches in their homes. In addition to these listed above, there’s also Flush Mount Inc, DesignMod, Fittes, and Wallsmart.
DesignMod Smoothline Wall Plates
Started by an architect looking to make minimal outlets and switches more accessible (sound familiar?), DesignMod outlets utilize a proprietary interlocking trim and faceplate to snap in flush with adjacent materials. These are some of the most cost effective of the group, costing around $15 for an outlet faceplate and trim.
Unfortunately, we have heard about some issues with the system, namely cracking in the joint between the trim and adjacent plaster/drywall finish. In addition, we’ve also seen installations where the glossy faceplate shows warping when the trim isn’t perfectly in-plane.
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Flush Mount Inc
By reducing the overall size of the equipment, Flush Mount Inc takes a unique approach to reducing the impact of electrical equipment. The design utilizes a custom, oversized backbox, which allows the outlet and faceplate assembly to nest inside and sit flush with adjacent finishes. See the diagram below from their website.
Although we haven’t been able to find any reviews or examples of this system installed online, we expect it may have similar issues to the DesignMod. Because the faceplate snaps directly into the trim installed against the drywall, there’s a high possibility of damage from maintenance or installation as the plastic flexes or scratches against the brittle plaster.
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Fittes
The Fittes flush outlet mount is the simplest of all the products listed here—it’s a primed piece of steel that’s been bent to form a flanged recess. It’s a heavy-duty product, which works well for installs that don’t have the box installed at the perfect depth.
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Wallsmart
Wallsmart has an extensive product collection for keypads, switches, jacks, and (of course) outlets. Their products install similar to Seeless, with a composite base that houses the device and requires a few rounds of taping, mud, and sanding to achieve the flush look.
The FLUSHTEK Difference
Similar to many of the companies and products described above, FLUSHTEK is dedicated to reducing the visual impact of outlets throughout homes. However, there are some prominent differences that we feel makes us a better choice for most homeowners and contractors.
- Baseboard Outlets: No matter how well an outlet is painted to match, or how seamless of an installation, outlets on the wall will always be a visual interruption: changing the outlet location actually has the biggest impact on the space. As outlined in our baseboard outlets post, outlets installed in the baseboard really bring a design together, creating a space imbued with care and craftsmanship.
- Reusable Templates & Standard Parts: Unlike all of the companies listed above, the FLUSHTEK system is fully reusable—drastically reducing the cost of installing flush outlets. Designed in tandem with the same electrical hardware that many contractors and homeowners already install, FLUSHTEK is a one-time cost with value that lasts for multiple projects.
- Flexible Installations: Although FLUSHTEK isn’t compatible with drywall, it’s great for wood and wood-based composites. Baseboards, cabinetry, trim, and more can all benefit from the modern look of hidden flush outlets. FLUSHTEK also accommodates multiple device types and multiple brands—simply switch out the templates via one of our Expansion Packs. The replaceable parts also mean you don’t have to purchase an entirely new system in case of damage or wear.
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Whatever your opinion on flush outlets, we hope you enjoyed this comparison of the different brands on the market. We founded FLUSHTEK with the mission to make flush, hidden outlets accessible to builders of all types—just have a look at our reviews to see for yourself!
Do you have any questions about the products listed above or about flush outlets in general? Let us know with a comment or reach out via our contact page! Thanks again for reading and don’t forget to check out our overviews of other luxury details.