A microwave oven is a useful device that can really help to cut down cooking times significantly. But, they do take up a lot of space on the counter, and they are too large to store in an appliance caddy when not in use. In order to get the best use out of your microwave, it’s important to integrate into your kitchen. In this article, we will look at some things that you need to consider if you want to make it easier to use a microwave in your kitchen design.
Choosing the Right Microwave Oven Configuration
A countertop microwave can be kept on the counter, or it could be tucked away on a shelf. If you want to save space on the countertop, look for a wall mounting option. A drawer style unit for your microwave is useful because it can be placed at your ideal height, and it’s easy to use it in a very small kitchen. An over the range microwave is located directly over your oven so it can share the same ventilation and light sources. The exact configuration you choose should be carefully matched to the size and layout of your kitchen. Let’s take a look at some microwave integration ideas in more detail.
5 Microwave Integration Ideas for Your Kitchen
- A Cabinetry Cutout
If you build a cutout into your kitchen cabinets to house your microwave, it makes the positioning very natural. It’s important to make sure that your microwave fits into the space snugly to avoid ugly gaps. If the gap is too large, don’t despair, there are trim kits available from many microwave oven manufacturers to fill gaps in. This will give you a very streamlined look that will not detract from your kitchen design.
- A Drawer Unit
A microwave installed in a drawer gives your kitchen a discrete and sleek aesthetic appeal. The microwave drawer could be positioned under the countertop or inside a center island in a larger kitchen. Both of these options allow easy access, and plenty of countertop space is freed up for food preparation tasks. If you want to hide the microwave, it can be installed inside a cabinet behind a sliding door. This door can be matched to your existing kitchen cabinetry for a uniform look.
- A Wall Recess
If you have enough wall space free, you could even recess the microwave into the kitchen wall. Obviously, this depends on the space in a nearby garage or closet area. This has the advantage over wall mounting because the microwave doesn’t intrude on the kitchen space. If you place the microwave near other appliances or your range, it’s easier to root power to the unit. The microwave can be blended into the space easily by matching a paint trim to the existing kitchen appliances.
- A Lower Shelf
A microwave located on a lower shelf is a great way to tuck the machine out of the way. But, it will be necessary to squat or bend to access the microwave, so it may not be the most ergonomic choice available.
- A Higher Shelf
If you have a smaller microwave, you can tuck it away on an upper shelf. Some advance planning is needed to ensure that you have a power outlet available behind the microwave. It’s also important to remember that you need space to accommodate the depth of the microwave and the power cord. The microwave may protrude out depending on the exact make and model, so choose the unit carefully if this is important.
If you’re in need of a new microwave, explore your options with our online microwave collection or speak to one of our home appliance experts for further help.