Kitchen Layout Microwave

In anticipation of a free workshop I will be presenting in September, I will be devoting my blog posts in the next 6 to 8 weeks to appliances.

If you would like to be informed of when the workshop will be launched, and you are not already a subscriber, sign up here:

Today I will revisit one of my most popular VESTA Blog posts that discussed where to place the microwave in a Kitchen design.

Kitchen Layout Ideas To Help You Take On A Remodel With Confidence

People hold on to their microwaves for a long time so sales have leveled off in the last 20 years, but statistics still show more than 90% of households include a microwave oven.

There are many factors that can influence where the microwave is placed in the Kitchen. and the professional Kitchen Designer needs to do their research and determine the perfect location for it in each of their Kitchen designs.

The reason for this is that the appliance needs adequate air clearance on each side, the rear and the top to function properly.

Microwave Oven Options

I once had a recess built that pushed the microwave into the walk-in pantry, making the unit less overwhelming in the Kitchen space. Look for spaces like this in your designs.

Don’t make the mistake of placing it in a corner where the hinge is opening towards the user. It will be near impossible to get items in and out of the appliance!

To ensure that the microwave does not get place too high, consider installing it in a cabinet down to the counter, with a drawer below it.

Kitchen Layout Ideas: 28 Ways To Configure Cabinetry |

This placement makes the appliance accessible for most users and will often provide a small drop off space in front of the drawer.

The Food Storage Zone is a great place for the microwave because many items that go into the microwave come from the refrigerator or the freezer.

The built-in microwave can be a microwave that has been designed to be built-in or a countertop model with a specialized trim kit.

Best Kitchen Layouts For Beauty And Function

The advantage of using a trim kit is to provide the correct amount of air space around the unit and to cover all the gaps.

It has become the “builders” choice for a cost effective way to include both a microwave and a vent hood in the Kitchen.

I will admit it is not a microwave that I specify for my projects, but it is an option available to Kitchen Designers.

Kitchen Layout Ideas That Work

The main reason I don’t specify them is the safety issue. Installing a microwave above burners that could all be turned on makes it a dangerous placement in Kitchen Design.

In this first example the Kitchen Designer placed the microwave in a plaster niche under a wide hood as part of a complete cooking zone.

For another take on a cooking zone set up, the Kitchen Designer of this dark cherry Kitchen teamed a built-in microwave with a pro styled double oven and warming drawer.

Kitchen Design 101: Flush Inset Appliances

Specifying a pullout counter under a microwave will provide a safe drop off place for hot items coming out of the unit.

Surveying your client to understand how they will use this appliance will help you develop solutions that work for them and their design.

Jan Rutgers has been designing kitchens and products for over 25 years and is a recipient ofKitchen & Bath Design News’ Top Innovators in 2020 for the Kitchen & Bath Industry. She has designed more than 1000 kitchens learning valuable skills with each one! Her experience in Kitchen Design, Millwork Manufacturing and Product Development has led her to create SCHOOL OF DESIGN where she educates and mentors people passionate about the Kitchen Design Industry.

Ideas For Microwave Placement In The Kitchen

Category: The Science of Kitchen Design Tags: Functional Kitchen Design, Kitchen appliances, Kitchen Design, Kitchen Design Training, Kitchen Designer, Microwave Placement, The Art of Kitchen Design, Design, School of DesignThe type of microwave you need is often dependent upon your kitchen’s layout and available space. You may already be accommodating close quarters conditions and wondering how an additional appliance will fit on earth. Refrigerators, wall ovens, cooktops, and dishwashers are all built-in appliances that must be maneuvered around. Additionally, there is an onslaught of trendy countertop appliances like the Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven that could be occupying space in your kitchen. Thankfully, microwave ovens are made in many different shapes, styles, and sizes. This gives you plenty of options when deciding where you can afford to spare some space in your kitchen.

The classic countertop design is a go-to for many microwave owners. Their simple set up and easy access are primary reasons people pick countertop microwaves like the Sharp Orville Redenbacher calibrated SMC1442CS. A conservative 1.4 cubic feet is all the room you’ll need to dedicate to an appliance such as this one. Without requiring any intricate installation, the countertop design is your best bet for a stress-free setup. Plug in, power up, and start popping popcorn!

The original aesthetic at its finest, the Sharp Stainless Steel IoT Easy Wave Open Microwave Drawer Oven and other similar Sharp Microwave Drawers (such as the Sharp 24″ Black Stainless Steel Microwave Drawer Oven or Sharp 24″ Stainless Steel Microwave Drawer Oven) are guaranteed to make your guests’ jaws drop. Subtle enough to almost go unnoticed at first glance . . . Almost, but once this stunningly sleek appliance catches your eye, it will be impossible to miss. Furthermore, this design is perfect for optimizing your kitchen’s available space. It is easily installed in place of existing cabinetry underneath countertops and cooktops alike.

Can You Put A Microwave In A Cabinet?

Something is satisfying about a quality microwave with an elite filtration system installed above a cooktop/range in place of an ordinary fume hood. Over-the-Range Microwave Ovens such as the 1.8 cu. ft. 1100W Over-The-Range Microwave Oven embodies this ethereal satisfaction more than most. Similar to the Microwave Drawer, this Over-the-Range microwave design does not interfere with your existing countertop occupants. Instead, an easy installation will leave you free and clear to clutter up your countertop with other exciting appliances.

Much like an Over-the-Range design, Over-the-Counter microwave placements can come in handy if you have little space to spare on your countertops. The 1.5 cu. ft. 1100W Sharp Stainless Steel Over-the-Counter Carousel Microwave Oven is an Over-the-Counter microwave manufactured to optimize your designing experience. This appliance does not require a built-in kit or shelf to install and provides a wide range of options for placement. Additionally, this microwave and those similar to it come equipped with under the cabinet task lighting, further emphasizing the utility of an Over-the-Counter design.

Setting up your kitchen in a way that looks beautiful and flows practically requires you to coordinate all of your anticipated appliances with the space available. The rigid, bulky built-in appliances that comprise most of our kitchens force us to be flexible with the rest of our design decisions. Thankfully, we have an abundance of options to choose from when picking out the perfect microwave placement for our kitchens.

Where To Keep A Microwave In The Kitchen With A Small Countertop

SMD2489ES 24 in. 1.2 cu. ft. 950W Sharp Stainless Steel Smart Easy Wave Open Microwave Drawer Oven (SMD2489ES) The Sharp SMD2489ES is the first, built-in Microwave Drawer™ with wifi connectivity for seamless integration with your modern, smart home. Download the Sharp Kitchen app to enable the smart features. The SMD2489ES Sharp Microwave Drawer™ features Built-In Airflow venting. Now you can choose the traditional “proud mount” installation or flush mounting for a streamlined finish without additional trim-kits or vent deflectors. With our Easy Wave Open feature for touchless operation, simply wave up-and-down near the motion sensor and the Microwave Drawer™ will glide open. With the touch of a button or a gentle nudge, our patented Easy Touch Automatic Drawer System smoothly closes the oven to avoid messy spills. The SMD2489ES Sharp® Microwave Drawer™ stays closed when you walk by, so children and pets won’t accidentally open it. Learn More SMC1132CS 1.1 cu. ft. 1000W Sharp Stainless Steel Carousel Countertop Microwave Oven (ZSMC1132CS) This mid-sized 1.1 cu. ft.* stainless steel Sharp Carousel microwave is more than a great choice for reheating and everyday cooking, it’s also specifically tuned to achieve optimal popping results from the leader in microwave popcorn, Orville Redenbacher’s(R).** Simply touch the “Popcorn” button on the SMC1132CS to choose the Classic Size (3.3 oz) or Single Serve Mini Bag (1.16 oz) of Orville Redenbacher’s(R) Microwave Popcorn. Then sit back and enjoy light and fluffy popcorn with the delicious, buttery flavor of Orville Redenbacher’s(R) Gourmet(R) Popping Corn. The SMC1132CS is not just for popcorn. 1000 watts of power give you rapid reheating and fast cooking. Easy-to-clean stainless steel finish with scratch-resistant glass door complement your style. One-Touch controls, Auto Defrost and the Carousel turntable system make cooking and reheating faster and easier. It’s easy to see why home cooks throughout the world trust Sharp Carousel. Learn More About Sharp Home Electronics Company of America (SHCA) SHCA is the U.S. Consumer Products Group of Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. sales subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer and manufacturer of one-of-a-kind premium technology products. SHCA includes the manufacturing of certain Home Appliances in Memphis, TN, together with the sales & marketing and servicing of Home Electronics in the United States.  Leading products include Sharp Carousel(R), Microwave DrawerTM,