Where Do You Put the Microwave?

So you're redesigning your kitchen. You've created a functional layout, chosen quality cabinets, and picked out the perfect tile for your backsplash. It's going to look fantastic! But, wait, where do you put the microwave?Don't let the placement of your microwave be an afterthought because it's much more likely to ruin your kitchen design that way. Instead, plan ahead and weigh your options so that it's as unobtrusive as possible.

Microwaves are found in 90% of American kitchens. After all, they cook food quickly, can heat up a cup of tea in minutes, and are easy to use. The range of options and styles has exploded. Microwaves are available at a variety of price points, colors and sizes to match almost any budget or style. There are even portable microwaves.

Choosing the best microwave for your kitchen often comes down to space and personal preference. Let's take a look at the different types of microwaves available.

Countertop microwaves are often the most affordable, but they can take up precious space in a kitchen. For those with limited space, devoting two-foot section of countertop just isn't an option. While a countertop microwave is cheap, it may not be practical for your particular kitchen layout. If you are designing new kitchen cabinets, you can create a special nook with an electrical outlet to snugly fit a standard countertop microwave. This can be an affordable option that still saves counter space, and we often recommend it to clients who do not need or want a large and expensive built-in microwave.

Attaching your microwave to the underside of a cabinet is a common setup, either by bolting it directly to the cabinet or creating a built-in nook for a standard countertop model. Over-the-counter microwaves are practical because they free up counter space, although there usually isn't much clearance between the counter and the bottom of the microwave. The height at which they are installed is ergonomic for most but can be an issue for shorter people. Because they require a properly located electrical outlet and may need a specially constructed cabinet box, they can be more expensive to install. It's no big deal if you are getting new cabinets as part of a kitchen renovation, but if you try to retrofit a built-in microwave, the cost may be more than the value you get out of it.

Another way to add a microwave to your kitchen is to have one installed over your stove, where your range hood would normally go. This may seem like a good place to tuck your microwave out of the way, but we almost always advise against it.

Reaching over a hot stove to access your microwave can be dangerous. Most over-the-range microwaves have some sort of built-in hood system, but these add to the cost of the microwave and are not nearly as powerful as a full hood. Many simply filter the air and reroute it back to your kitchen. This does nothing to remove moisture from the air, a critical task of a proper exhaust fan system.

This slick design is incorporated into your lower cabinets or kitchen island and pulls out like a standard drawer. Some are even motorized and open on their own. It can be a great option for those in your home who are vertically challenged, and it preserves precious counter space. The main downside is that these units are pricey (upwards of $1,000), and they're much more difficult to retrofit. In addition, giving up that drawer space might be a deal breaker.

Similar to a drawer-style microwave, built-ins have a sleek design that's meant to blend in with the cabinetry and other appliances. Unlike drawer-style units, their doors open out, and they are usually mounted higher, often above a wall-mounted oven. In fact, many are designed to coordinate with the oven, which produces a very integrated look. As you can imagine, built-in units are on the higher end of the cost spectrum. If they are mounted at drawer height, taller people will have to stoop uncomfortably to use them.