You can use a microwave trim kit to cover the gap. Microtrim is one such option. The microwave you purchased may also come with a trim option.

Good luck!

The microwave does have a trim kit available, but the GC seemed to indicate that there isn't enough room for it in the width.

If it helps, the microwave is a GE Profile PEM31SFSS

Can your GC make a new face frame for the cabinet, the same depth as the doors above. Similar to a picture frame that matches the cabinets--attach the frame to the cabinet, then pull the MW slightly forward.

OTOH, I have MW in a cabinet with a drop-down door, and we don't even notice the extra action of opening the door to use the MW--but visitors can never find it without help.

I am not sure I would want a double door cabinet to open when you have to use the microwave. Just looking at it it seems like that might get in the way. I kind of like the idea of a pull-down door with hinges at bottom. Or just building more frame around the outside that matches cabinets. Could you put something underneath the microwave to lift it higher and frame the existing box so that it sits in the center with frame surrounding it? Do you really want the face of it covered or do you not care?

I'd add a cabinet-matching piece of wood trim above the microwave to make it shorter?

A single piece of trim above it might look as if it was tacked on as an afterthought, so a frame would look more deliberate, IMO. I like the suggestion to raise the MW so it would be centered. Oh, what the heck, if you're going to do that, raise it all the way, and have the GC make a shallow drawer to fit under it. What do you have that will fit in a 3" drawer? ;)

owner's manuals for all kitchen appliances

pot holders for hot dishes from MW and oven

meat thermometer and/or other utensils for oven

trivet for hot dishes on counter

To follow mama goose's suggestion to put something underneath...a sturdy pull-out shelf?

I was thinking a drawer as well

I secong mama goose's drawer. Doors are ridiculous.

Because the cabinets are all custom made (by Amish who live a number of hours away) and not by my GC or a regular company, and are otherwise complete, any change/addition will be complicated. I am leaning towards having them make a frame and raising the microwave enough for it to be centered. I think that is the simplest solution.

Different microwave?

love your cabinets.

Just a thought. Look at measurements.

Have the doors remade long enough to cover however much of the gap you want.

Can you find a long low basket tray thingy to stick up there?

Don't you need to allow some air around the microwave for ventilation? Taylor's suggestion above would still allow that.

@ILoveRed -- yes, another might fit better, but I can't return this one, so we've got to make it work.

@jellytoast -- I checked the specs and it only needs 1" for ventilation. The top gap now is almost 4 inches.

I can certainly find things to put on top of the microwave if I need to. I just think that since this is brand new and I spent so much money on it, that I'll always be unhappy when I look at it unless I can get it fixed.

Just remember that if you do anything permanent that makes the space highly tailored to that specific microwave, if/when the microwave dies you will be tied to those exact dimensions

@hatethecold_gw -- yes, I do realize that, and I might not make it that tight a fit, but right now it just looks wrong and unfinished.

Putting it on a platform to center it vertically would probably be fine. Stick a phone book under it and see if it works before you commit.

A strip of trim painted to match (is it paint?) with a matching routed edge on the bottom could be stuck in, behind the frame, to fill the gap without being to noticeable. Maybe. Being recessed, a perfect match might not be absolutely required.

If doors are available, I'd get a single door (or if it looks better, two attached together to act as a single) and hinge it on TOP with gas springs. You don't want kids reaching over one hinged on the bottom. To be honest, I'd prefer it because I don't like how the corners of the frame are done--just a pet peeve of mine but I don't like the roundy cove. :P