Advice needed OTR microwave

10 years ago

Hey everybody, I have a design dilemma in my kitchen. I would like to install an over the range microwave in my 1940's cottage without ruining the look of the original upper cabinets. I currently do not have any venting in the kitchen at all and very little counter space, so the microwave would serve both functions. I would like to store my cook books over the microwave and was thinking about using open shelving. I am just not sure how to marry the new to the old. Any suggestions or original ideas would be welcome. Thank you.

Featured Answer

PRO

Cabinets by Design LLC

10 years ago

Over the range microwaves mount into the cabinet above them as well as a bracket on the wall. I might suggest having a carpenter build a thick custom floating shelf that is made in two parts with the top being removable so that you can mount the microwave and then have the top shelf fit down flush inside so that your cookbooks can sit on top. You could match the paint on the cabinets or it could also look good being built out of a reclaimed wood for an accent depending on the rest of the décor in the room.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Stait Tile
10 years ago
You can certainly accomplish what you want but it won't be as simple as just hanging a microwave and shelf. You will need a good carpenter to make some cabinetry that matches what you have. You need to choose a microwave/vent ahead of time so the cabinet maker will have the specs necessary for him to do his job. You can look at kitchens on this site and show him what you want.
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acm
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Yeah, the range will need support on top and sides, but you can work that with shelves as well, I'd think. Recommend venting, but that will be a contractor task.... Here's somebody who did it:
Crane Island Cabin · More Info

So that might help. Here are some other people who did shelves (but not venting) that might help with looks. I think either painted or natural could work, but I don't think you should have to wreck your current cabinets.
Arcadia Kitchen Remodel · More Info

Lucas's Loft · More Info

San Francisco Kitchen Redux · More Info
Judy Mishkin
10 years ago
just so you arent confused...buying the microwave wont make it vent... the path to the outside wont mysteriously appear... i think the shelf and shelves idea is great but if you have a shelf above you can't make it vent...when there is a cabinet above its full of vent stuff...
Kelsey
Original Author
10 years ago
This is pretty much a diy job. I plan on venting the microwave out the wall (it is on an outside wall). And I know I can mount it from a shelf above. I was just wandering if I should run the shelves all the way over to the doorway on the right or how I should end it.
rocketjcat
10 years ago
To continue with the cottage cabinets I would suggest installing a box type unit attached to your current cabinet with side panels that mimic the sides of your existing cabinet, making it the same size and having the curved detail on the bottom. Size and install it so the stove is centered between the 2 side panels and run your shelves between them. (Don't run it all the way to the door frame) just a thought.
acm
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I like what rocket said, but I think I'd be tempted to run the shelves to the door frame, but with a vertical divider at the edge of the stove so that the shelving to the right acts as a separate section of shelving/cabinetry. Like a less busy version of my first photo above. Imagine if you were installing these from scratch -- you would put another wall cabinet to the right of the stove with a real base cabinet below. I think since you've cobbled together an ad hoc base cabinet, there should be an "open shelf unit" above it too.

Edited to add: Or, if you can match the counter decently, you could maybe even have somebody build an actual base cabinet on the right there! How crazy spiff would that be?