Besides the kitchen, which area can be supplied by small-appliance branch circuits?

The correct answer is the dining room, as it is typically a space where small appliances are used alongside or in conjunction with those in the kitchen. According to the NEC, small-appliance branch circuits are intended to serve receptacle outlets in areas where additional convenience for kitchen-related tasks is beneficial. The dining room can accommodate small appliances, such as warming trays, slow cookers, or other devices used during meal preparation or serving.

While appliances may also be used in bathrooms, living rooms, or garages, these areas do not have the same primary focus on small appliances related to food preparation and service as the dining room does. Bathrooms typically have specific receptacle requirements for GFCI protection, while living rooms generally use standard branch circuits for general lighting and outlets. Garages may have outlets for tools and equipment, but again, they do not emphasize small appliance usage as extensively as the dining room, thereby making the dining room the best choice among the options provided.