For such a small appliance, the microwave sure seems to stir up a bit of fuss during the kitchen design process! They’ve added such a convenience to our lives, that hardly a kitchen exists without one, even if it’s simply used to melt butter or warm up a beverage!
When MW’s first came out, they were enormous, and took up a big chunk of counterspace so that we could have a fast bowl of popcorn! This prime countertop real estate being used up motivated the addition of the “Microwave shelf” to kitchen layouts. The location was the simplest as far as “fitting it into” a typical layout and was not given another thought….for close to 20 years!
But the microwave has evolved, in size and function. The compact sizes models are lost on the traditional microwave shelf, with too much space wasted. The larger models are often dual function, with a convection system in the unit as well. Many models are available with a trim kit, for a built-in look. The larger built-in models have now been relocated to directly above the wall oven (in a tall, pantry style cabinet)
But what of the small, compact microwave? The one that is dwarfed on a traditional microwave shelf? There are three trends that have evolved over-time for the microwave unit that still sits on a shelf. The first trend is to give it a built in look, even if a trim kit is not available. The cabinet and trim kit is built based on the specs of the microwave purchased by the homeowner. This look has replaced the open space of the traditional MW shelf.
The second location that we are seeing the microwave ovens is above the range, in a combination hoodfan/microwave unit. This is a great space saving idea when a kitchen layout is tiny, as in a condo. However, they are quite bulky looking. The design limits what you can do as far as a decorative hoodfan unit and you do need to reach above the range in order to use it (not ideal for the short or the young)
The third, more interesting trend is placing the microwave in a base cabinet (with the island seeming to be the preferred location) This version has the MW down at the level of a conventional oven. Initially, consumers seemed shocked that the microwave would be placed in a base cabinet, since we had all only seen them up high for several decades (and we are creatures of habit, after all) If you consider where your oven has always been…it’s not such a stretch, is it? I myself prefer the lower location for a microwave and since I seldom use one, also like a more secondary location vs a primary location for it.
For clients, I always ask if they even use a microwave (many people don’t) If they do use one, for what purpose and how frequently. I also assess who uses the kitchen (age, height, etc) and then we discuss the best scenario and type of microwave for that particular client and how we could best incorporate it into the kitchen. Either way though, it’s a discussion that now comes up with each kitchen designed!