Where is the best place to place a microwave oven in a kitchen interior?

Work surface

In a fairly spacious kitchen, there will be no problems with placing a microwave: the most traditional option, which does not require any expenses, is a countertop. This is convenient, since the microwave is at a comfortable height, and nothing interferes with opening the door. Before installing the microwave on the work surface, you need to make sure that there is space for a heated plate nearby. At the same time, you cannot place the electrical appliance close to the stove or sink. The best option for a microwave oven with a corner kitchen set is a corner, which most often remains unused.

Can I put a microwave on a windowsill? Yes, if it is combined with a countertop. If you attach a microwave oven to a simple windowsill, the device will visually clutter the space and excessively heat the plastic surface. In addition, the base should be wide enough to ensure normal air circulation.

Refrigerator

This option is suitable for owners of low refrigerators: it is convenient when the microwave is at chest level. This solution is often used by owners of Khrushchev-era apartments with small kitchens. If the stove is rarely used, then this placement is acceptable: hot equipment should not heat the refrigerator. If there are lower ventilation holes, the appliance must have legs, and the distance between it and the walls must be at least 20 cm. To prevent overheating, you can put a sheet of plywood under the microwave.

If the refrigerator vibrates a lot, it is better to avoid this method of placing the microwave.

The photo shows a white microwave oven, which is located on the refrigerator and looks harmonious due to the uniform color scheme.

Bracket

If there is nowhere to put the microwave, you can hang it. This budget solution is only suitable for strong concrete or brick walls, so the structure cannot be hung on a plasterboard base. The downside of the bracket is its not very aesthetic appearance and a small selection of colors.

When choosing a bracket, you should consider the weight it can withstand (manufacturers promise 40 kg with an average microwave weight of about 10 kg). The length of the bar on which the household appliance is placed can be adjusted. The bracket usually comes with double-sided stickers that prevent the microwave from moving during use, but even this does not guarantee complete safety when opening and closing the door. Manufacturers recommend handling the structure with extreme care.

There are situations when there is simply no place to put a microwave in a small kitchen. One way to solve this problem is to attach the bracket above the dining table. The advantage of this placement is quick access to the microwave.

Shelf

This idea is suitable for those who are not going to change the kitchen set, but need additional space for the microwave. When choosing fittings, it is necessary to consider the size of the electrical appliance, proximity to the outlet, load capacity of the materials and the weight of the oven itself. The hanging shelf can be placed anywhere, for example, above the work surface. The kitchen interior will look more harmonious if you place another shelf with decor or dishes above the microwave. But it is not allowed to put any objects on the device itself.

You can also buy a special stand or rack, which will save space in the kitchen.

The photo shows an open shelf for a microwave oven, equipped with a support leg.

Top cabinet

One of the most common ways to build in a microwave is to place it above the work area, simply taking up the niche of a wall cabinet. This way, the appliance is located high enough and fits perfectly into the kitchen space. The only condition is that it is necessary to think through good ventilation, otherwise the device will fail.

The optimal solution for those who do not like to leave household appliances in plain sight is to hide them behind the cabinet façade. The most inconvenient option is a hinged door, so when looking at the set, you should choose a door that rises upward and is fixed. For a country-style kitchen, a fabric curtain in the color of the textiles is suitable.

In order to save space, the microwave oven is sometimes placed above the stove, without thinking about the safety of the apartment. Under the influence of high temperatures, the body of the device can melt and ignite. In addition, steam from the water during cooking rises upward and settles on the insides of the equipment, which leads to rust and a reduction in the service life of the microwave oven. Another significant disadvantage is the inability to hang a hood over the stove.

The photo shows a small kitchen corner with a wall cabinet and a microwave oven.

Lower cabinet

Before installing a microwave in the lower furniture tier, you should prepare the cabinet by eliminating heavy household appliances above the microwave. To ensure the smooth operation of the device, it is important to maintain clearances for normal ventilation: 1 cm at the bottom, 10 cm on the sides, 20 cm at the back and top.

This placement method has several disadvantages:

• You need to bend over or sit down to use the stove.
• Dangerous for small children.
• You should plan in advance the location of the sockets and make holes in the kitchen furniture for the wires.

If the microwave oven located in the cabinet is not used often, it can be covered with a facade.

The photo shows a microwave oven placed in the lower tier of the kitchen unit.

Island

A free-standing cabinet, which is located in the middle of the kitchen, is called an island. It can serve as a bar counter, as well as a dining and work surface. Inside the cabinet, you can place not only dishes, but also appliances, including a microwave oven. Thanks to this solution, the countertop of the kitchen unit is maximally freed up, and the microwave device fits perfectly into the environment, without attracting attention to itself and without disturbing the stylistic balance. Unfortunately, an island cannot be placed in a small kitchen, but this option is great for owners of spacious country houses.

It is necessary to connect the wiring to the island at the rough stages of the renovation.

Integrated microwave

Built-in appliances are a great solution for a stylish and modern kitchen, especially if it is not large. A built-in microwave ideally complements any interior, due to the fact that it is integrated directly into the kitchen furniture. Such microwave ovens often have extended functionality and can replace an oven, hob, and grill.

The photo shows an example of placing a microwave oven built above an oven.