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The Best Place For Your Microwave - The Counter Or A Built In

It’s hard to imagine a kitchen without a microwave, but where should you put it? When it comes to microwave storage, you generally have two main options. The counter is a popular choice, but if you don’t have much space, it can take up precious counter room. If you opt for a built-in microwave, you lose cabinet space. The key is to figure out which option works best for your particular kitchen and needs. After all, a microwave’s just too convenient not to have.

Countertop Microwave Storage

The Best Place For Your Microwave - The Counter Or A Built InThe countertop option is popular for several reasons. First, if your microwave breaks, it’s easy to slide off the counter and replace it with a new one. Typically, with built-in storage, the microwave is up higher, making it more difficult to remove. Plus, it may be attached, requiring tools to remove it.

Another benefit is you can change the size of your microwave. Built-in microwave storage leaves you limited on size. You can either stay with the same size or go smaller. If you go smaller, you leave gaps that collect dust. If your microwave is on your counter, you can change the size at any time. Of course, you have to have enough counter space for a larger microwave.

Built-In Microwave Storage

As great as countertop storage might sound, there are benefits to a built-in microwave. The most obvious is you don’t have a large appliance just sitting on your counter. You get more room for prep. For smaller kitchens, more counter space is always a blessing. Plus, this leaves more room for other appliances, like the much-needed coffee maker.

Another benefit is your microwave tends to blend in more with your kitchen. Since it’s built-in, it looks like a part of your cabinets versus just a large appliance sitting on your counter. This gives your kitchen a more organized look and feel.

What you might not realize is you’re not limited to built-in storage just above your oven range. In fact, there are several great microwave storage options if you want to go with the built-in route.

Built-In Storage Options

An option you might not know about is microwave drawers. While stock drawers are available, it’s usually better to go with a customer microwave drawer to better fit your kitchen and microwave. Instead of sitting above your oven, you can have your microwave slide into a custom drawer, out of the way. It’s convenient and keeps your microwave off the counter.

If you have a thick wall or one that’s against a closet or garage, you can create a recessed area in the wall for the microwave. This ensures you’re not giving up as much cabinet space and keeps your microwave-safemicrowave drawer-edgewood cabinetry in a custom area.

Don’t forget about your kitchen island. If you have an island, it’s perfect for microwave storage. This is ideal if you have kids using the microwave. They can reach it easier. Plus, by putting the microwave in your island, you won’t have hot plates sliding out near your face.

Instead of just building around your microwave, build a custom shelf just for the microwave. You have two options. You can build an open-style cabinet for your microwave to slide in. This prevents the need to physically attached the microwave to anything, making it easier to replace when needed. You can also add a secure shelf in an unused corner to create a special microwave area that’s out of the way and still looks neat and tidy.

Finally, you can have a custom cupboard built with vents. Remember, your microwave always needs to vent to avoid overheating. In addition to extra storage, your microwave will be tucked out of sight completely. The closed doors also keep kids who aren’t quite ready to use the microwave yet safe. You can add a lock to keep them out. To use it, just open the doors and use the microwave as usual.

Want a custom built-in solution for your microwave storage? Contact us today to find out how we can help.

Image: Naomi Hébert

Your counters are prime kitchen real estate, especially in a modest sized kitchen.

Integrating this appliance into your cabinetry lets you reclaim workspace(and quite frankly, is visually more appealing.)

The holidays are fast approaching and you know you’ll need counter space to cool all those cookies.It is nice to have choices in life, and there are plenty to choose from when it comes to finding optimal solutions for installing your microwave.

  • Under an island. This option makes it easy for children (with supervision of course) to use. Simply sit the unit on the bottom shelf of your work island or peninsula
  • A microwave drawer. Such a clever design idea. A microwave that is installed under a counter top and pulls out like a drawer, innovative and space saving. A good option for smaller kitchens.
  • An over the stove microwave seems to be builder’s choice for location. While it does maximize space, it makes cleaning difficult and can be somewhat problematic for the vertically challenged. In addition, this location simply does not work well if two people are trying to cook at once.
  • Recessed in the wall. If you have a wall that backs up to the garage or even a closet you can set the microwave into the wall. Without any protrusion, it is a high-end look for a relatively modest cost.
  • In a cupboard. Out of sight and within easy reach. Contact us to see if a specialty vented cabinet will fit into your current kitchen design.
  • On a shelf–  If you have a small corner or an expanse of bare wall, mounting the microwave on a  sturdy shelf can be both efficient and attractive.

Microwave ovens will always be an integral part of kitchen design, so free up that valuable counter space and find a location that works for your family.

microwave drawer-edgewood cabinetry

Remodeling the kitchen is always an exciting time, and since it will be a long time before you change it again, it’s important to think about all aspects before starting the project.Decisions such as cabinetry, counters, lighting, and storage solutions are all important. Another important question is where to put the microwave in your new kitchen design.

A few years ago, this was no quandary at all. Newer kitchens simply installed a microwave with a fan above the stove. Today’s trend includes a more substantial hood, either wood or stainless steel, above the stove. Whether people prefer it aesthetically or for functionality, the result is the same. The microwave has been evicted from its home above the stove, so where do you put it?

Take heart, there are many options for your microwave that don’t leave you resorting back to a countertop model. With a custom kitchen, you can decide what location works best for you and work it into your design. Some people opt for a microwave built into the wall. This popular space-saving idea has been used for conventional ovens for decades, and it’s a great idea for its fast-cooking partner. Even if your oven won’t be in the wall, you can still place a microwave there for easy access.

Drawer microwaves are trending right now too, as they seamlessly fit into a re-designed kitchen and are extremely convenient. Like any drawer, simply give it a little pull and it opens easily, giving you easy access to your microwave.

When planning their kitchen design, others have included a custom open shelf that is designed to hold a microwave. Others try to find a space behind a door for their microwave so they can access it, but it isn’t taking up space in the main work area of the kitchen.

Whatever you decide for your microwave, it’s always best to confer with a kitchen renovation expert. Microwaves come in all different sizes, and most are deeper than a standard cabinet depth so it’s important to have an expert involved in the kitchen design to confirm its success.

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel and need to find a place for your microwave that is functional and convenient, contact us. Our years of building custom cabinetry give us an experienced perspective and will help you find the best placement for your microwave oven.