Where's the Best Place for Your Microwave?
See the pros and cons of locating your microwave above, below and beyond the kitchen bench
The classic kitchen work triangle organises foot traffic from the fridge to the sink to the stove, in an attempt to make preparing and cooking meals flow more smoothly. But what about the other major, though sometimes smaller, appliances that many of us use every day? Take the microwave, for example. You can place a microwave high, low, out of sight or within easy reach, and there are pros and cons for every choice. Here’s a look at those advantages and disadvantages, so you can figure out the kitchen configuration that’s right for you.
Integrated into cabinetry
For those who love the look of beautifully featured appliances, this is a sleek custom option.
PRO: The height can be customised for the best reachability.
CON: If the microwave is placed too far from a benchtop, the danger arises of holding a hot plate and having nowhere to quickly set it.
CONSIDER THIS: It’s hard to retrofit unless a cabinet happens to exist at a good height and size. You may need a customised cabinet for the perfect height, or to accept one of your cabinet supplier’s standard options.
Also, a beautiful trim kit will look spectacular, but will cost extra.
For those who love the look of beautifully featured appliances, this is a sleek custom option.
PRO: The height can be customised for the best reachability.
CON: If the microwave is placed too far from a benchtop, the danger arises of holding a hot plate and having nowhere to quickly set it.
CONSIDER THIS: It’s hard to retrofit unless a cabinet happens to exist at a good height and size. You may need a customised cabinet for the perfect height, or to accept one of your cabinet supplier’s standard options.
Also, a beautiful trim kit will look spectacular, but will cost extra.
In a spare cabinet
This option is such an easy DIY fix. It keeps the appliance out of the way between occasional uses.
PRO: Like an integrated style, this setup lets you put the microwave at a convenient height (or in an underused cabinet to save space), at little cost.
CONS: Neat freaks will be annoyed when others leave the door open or leave crumbs in the crannies. Also, opening the cabinet door might be a bothersome extra step for those who use the microwave very frequently.
CONSIDER THIS: If a suitable cabinet exists, the only difficulty typically will be drilling a hole for the wiring to reach an existing plug, making this a relatively easy DIY project. If you plan for this during construction, a plug could be provided inside the cabinet to avoid visible cords.
Check your microwave user guide to ensure that the open door will provide sufficient heat ventilation.
This option is such an easy DIY fix. It keeps the appliance out of the way between occasional uses.
PRO: Like an integrated style, this setup lets you put the microwave at a convenient height (or in an underused cabinet to save space), at little cost.
CONS: Neat freaks will be annoyed when others leave the door open or leave crumbs in the crannies. Also, opening the cabinet door might be a bothersome extra step for those who use the microwave very frequently.
CONSIDER THIS: If a suitable cabinet exists, the only difficulty typically will be drilling a hole for the wiring to reach an existing plug, making this a relatively easy DIY project. If you plan for this during construction, a plug could be provided inside the cabinet to avoid visible cords.
Check your microwave user guide to ensure that the open door will provide sufficient heat ventilation.
Angled corner cabinet
In large kitchens where deep corners will otherwise go unused, this can be a convenient option.
PROS: This placement fills a corner and faces into the room for ease of use. It also makes better use of a deep cabinet that might otherwise contain hard-to-reach items.
CON: Some space will be unused behind the microwave and behind other appliances or drawers.
CONSIDER THIS: Typically a corner cabinet is planned during construction and not easily added after. If your cabinet system or company provides corner cabinet options, the cost shouldn’t be much different than that of a standard cabinet.
In large kitchens where deep corners will otherwise go unused, this can be a convenient option.
PROS: This placement fills a corner and faces into the room for ease of use. It also makes better use of a deep cabinet that might otherwise contain hard-to-reach items.
CON: Some space will be unused behind the microwave and behind other appliances or drawers.
CONSIDER THIS: Typically a corner cabinet is planned during construction and not easily added after. If your cabinet system or company provides corner cabinet options, the cost shouldn’t be much different than that of a standard cabinet.
Over the range
Not always the most beautiful option, as opposed to a sleek range hood, this is effective for making the most of limited space.
PRO: Microwave and hood-fan combos do double duty to save space in a compact kitchen.
CONS: If the microwave is too high, reaching up and seeing in will be difficult for many users. It also replaces a sculptural range hood for a somewhat less elegant look, and typically is not as effective at venting.
CONSIDER THIS: It’s best for the microwave and range finishes to match, so try to source the two components from the same manufacturer. After that, installation is pretty straightforward and usually takes a few hours, depending on how long it takes to remove an existing range hood and microwave, and whether or not cutting needs to be done to benchtops and cabinetry to make the new units fit.
Not always the most beautiful option, as opposed to a sleek range hood, this is effective for making the most of limited space.
PRO: Microwave and hood-fan combos do double duty to save space in a compact kitchen.
CONS: If the microwave is too high, reaching up and seeing in will be difficult for many users. It also replaces a sculptural range hood for a somewhat less elegant look, and typically is not as effective at venting.
CONSIDER THIS: It’s best for the microwave and range finishes to match, so try to source the two components from the same manufacturer. After that, installation is pretty straightforward and usually takes a few hours, depending on how long it takes to remove an existing range hood and microwave, and whether or not cutting needs to be done to benchtops and cabinetry to make the new units fit.
At a drinks station
This can be a smart option for a butler’s pantry, basement bar station or other secondary food-prep space.
PROS: Moving the microwave to a side station puts it near the coffee machine for quick breakfasts or snacks, and away from the primary chef in a busy household.
CON: It’s not ideal to have the only microwave far from the fridge or main prep space if it’s used often for cooking.
CONSIDER THIS: The typical construction issues will apply depending on how the microwave is mounted. When the microwave is the only visible major appliance, consider featuring it as an accent instead of hiding it.
This can be a smart option for a butler’s pantry, basement bar station or other secondary food-prep space.
PROS: Moving the microwave to a side station puts it near the coffee machine for quick breakfasts or snacks, and away from the primary chef in a busy household.
CON: It’s not ideal to have the only microwave far from the fridge or main prep space if it’s used often for cooking.
CONSIDER THIS: The typical construction issues will apply depending on how the microwave is mounted. When the microwave is the only visible major appliance, consider featuring it as an accent instead of hiding it.
In an appliance garage
An excellent, trendy option that features a dedicated cabinet fronted by a roller door, this is particularly good for those who wish to hide multiple appliances between uses.
PRO: This keeps small appliances hidden at bench height for ease of reach.
CON: It uses extra space as opposed to simply keeping items on the benchtop.
CONSIDER THIS: A short stretch of bench space can be turned into an appliance garage retroactively, although the very best option would be to use an extra-deep bench to leave usable space in front.
If you’re adding a door after, use a contrasting finish (like metal) if you can’t match your existing paint, or the style will be off. Expect to pay up to a few hundred dollars for a standard model – during or after construction.
An excellent, trendy option that features a dedicated cabinet fronted by a roller door, this is particularly good for those who wish to hide multiple appliances between uses.
PRO: This keeps small appliances hidden at bench height for ease of reach.
CON: It uses extra space as opposed to simply keeping items on the benchtop.
CONSIDER THIS: A short stretch of bench space can be turned into an appliance garage retroactively, although the very best option would be to use an extra-deep bench to leave usable space in front.
If you’re adding a door after, use a contrasting finish (like metal) if you can’t match your existing paint, or the style will be off. Expect to pay up to a few hundred dollars for a standard model – during or after construction.
In the island
Keep the microwave out of sight without completely covering it up, while making strategic use of the island, which can often otherwise end up as odds-and-ends storage.
PROS: Save the main cabinets for storage with this placement. You can also position the microwave away from the main cooking area, so someone who isn’t doing the main cooking can use it without worrying about bumping into the person who is.
CON: A low microwave will be harder to reach, especially if the benchtop has a deep lip.
CONSIDER THIS: If your island is being built out of lower cabinets, a microwave cabinet won’t cost much extra. But you will need electricity run over to the island, making this tricky to add to an existing island.
Keep the microwave out of sight without completely covering it up, while making strategic use of the island, which can often otherwise end up as odds-and-ends storage.
PROS: Save the main cabinets for storage with this placement. You can also position the microwave away from the main cooking area, so someone who isn’t doing the main cooking can use it without worrying about bumping into the person who is.
CON: A low microwave will be harder to reach, especially if the benchtop has a deep lip.
CONSIDER THIS: If your island is being built out of lower cabinets, a microwave cabinet won’t cost much extra. But you will need electricity run over to the island, making this tricky to add to an existing island.
Over the oven
This ‘chef’s kitchen’ isn’t shy about showing off stainless steel appliances. It’s great for balancing out lots of timeless wood with a modern touch.
PROS: Group the appliances together for a sleek, integrated look. This also allows for a larger microwave for heavier use.
CON: Sometimes this placement puts the microwave too high or the oven too low for some users to reach.
CONSIDER THIS: Typically this approach will require some customising. Adding a large microwave (or at least a sizeable trim kit) can cost hundreds of dollars or more, depending on quality.
TELL US
Where does the microwave make the most sense for you? Let us know in the Comments section.
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This ‘chef’s kitchen’ isn’t shy about showing off stainless steel appliances. It’s great for balancing out lots of timeless wood with a modern touch.
PROS: Group the appliances together for a sleek, integrated look. This also allows for a larger microwave for heavier use.
CON: Sometimes this placement puts the microwave too high or the oven too low for some users to reach.
CONSIDER THIS: Typically this approach will require some customising. Adding a large microwave (or at least a sizeable trim kit) can cost hundreds of dollars or more, depending on quality.
TELL US
Where does the microwave make the most sense for you? Let us know in the Comments section.
10 Kitchen Design Solutions You Didn’t Know Existed
Forget Kitchen Triangles – Work Zones Are Where It’s At
Over or Under: Where Should You Put Your Oven?
Don’t have much bench or upper cabinet space to spare? Consider replacing a lower drawer with a microwave cabinet.
PROS: This leaves the bench clear and the sightline open, especially when paired with airy upper shelving.
CON: If the microwave is too low, moving dishes in and out of it can be a nuisance. Plus, if you have curious small children, this could be a dangerous option.
CONSIDER THIS: Removing a large drawer-front can often leave a suitable space at virtually no cost. For the tidiest fit, choose a microwave-ready base cabinet during construction, which is typically the same price as a standard drawer cabinet.