To do or not to do: Staggering cabinets for an above range microwave

10 years ago

We are doing small updates to our kitchen; Repainting cabinets, new countertops, crown molding on top of cabinets, backsplash. My question is: Is it worth it to install a microwave above the stove? We would have to raise our cabinet in order to fit one. Then comes into question- should we also raise the cabinet above the refrigerator so there isn't a random solo cabinet? Or we can keep the microwave on the counter and change out the current hood to a stainless steel one. Any other small-scale suggestions for this kitchen? Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

Featured Answer

Olivia Harding

10 years ago

Hi there, if you can afford to lose a little counter space for the microwave I'd do that. Reason is because when someone is cooking on the stove it's a pain to have the microwave right above it when someone needs to get food in/out of it. Leave the cabinets the same height in my opinion, it looks strange to have multiple heights. Plus once you put crown molding it will look really nice all one height.

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Comments (16)

Judy Mishkin
10 years ago
staggered cabinets make crown molding difficult unless the taller ones are also deeper, so adjacent crown can fade into them.
marooon13 thanked Judy Mishkin
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Olivia Harding
10 years ago
Is it in your budget to get taller upper cabinets to get more storage? From the picture it looks like you have quite a lot of wasted space from cabinet to ceiling. Also, for the microwave you could get a drawer microwave if you'd rather lose some under counter storage space instead of counter space. Although that would require you go get a new cabinet for that spot
marooon13 thanked Olivia Harding
sandi125
10 years ago
I had a contractor rebuild a cabinet In one house to make room for an over-the- stove microwave. I put some interesting glass in the doors that I purchased at a local glass company. it did the job and didn't waste my counter space. The labor was $200, but it has been several years.
marooon13 thanked sandi125
User
10 years ago
I agree about the crown moulding issue. We have staggered cabinets,3 cabinets are higher, two end and one corner. The cabinets that are higher are also deeper than the lower cabinets so the crown moulding can be faded into the sides. The OTR microwave that the previous owners had installed, was too big for the space, I didnt like how it stuck out, so we replaced it with a stainless steel hood and we purchased a small countertop microwave that we put inside a lower cabinet.
marooon13 thanked User
PRO
Your Space--Elevated
10 years ago
No cabinet staggering. That would be going in the opposite direction of updating your kitchen. One idea for more space is to raise all the cabinets and build a shelf below them.
Rie · More Info

Or buy this great little microwave that's only 12.8" deep and mounts under any of your side cabinets
ge 0.7 cu.ft. Capacity Countertop Microwave Oven · More Info

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marooon13 thanked Your Space--Elevated
User
10 years ago
Counters are fine. Leave them be. Don't downgrade the kitchen with an OTR. Get something with a bit of a pattern for the back splash and call it good.
marooon13 thanked User
marooon13
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you everyone for all of the great advice and opinions! No OTR it is. I think we will look into raising the cabinets and install shelving under it. What a GREAT idea!
thinkdesignlive
10 years ago
I like the idea to raise the existing cabinets to the ceiling and add a shelf. And if you do the 12" deep micro that was suggested it may be able to fit on the new shelf. Good luck!
marooon13
Original Author
10 years ago
If we add crown molding and raise the cabinets, would it look strange with the recessed lights being so close to the molding?
PRO
Your Space--Elevated
10 years ago
Although not ideally placed, I think it will look fine. Can't tell if you've updated your lights yet or not, but retrofit LED with integrated trim will make the can openings 1" smaller, and that will help. Also if the shelf is shallower than the other base cabinets--as it appears to be in the inspiration pic--your canned lights will look more purposeful--as they will be lighting in front of, and not right up against, that shelf.
PRO
Kelli Kaufer Designs
10 years ago
Yes!!! Extend some of the cabinets high and add molding to the top of all the cabinets! This will add more interest and give them a higher end look. Raise the cabinets over the range, over the sink and see if you can get a side panel for the fridge and bump out the cabinet over the fridge to a 24" deep and extend it to the ceiling if possible. Add the shelf under the cabinet over the sink and you can do the same thing over the fridge, this is a great spot for pan and pot storage. You can either leave it open or closed. I have a photo somewhere....
PRO
Kelli Kaufer Designs
10 years ago
Just like Ennis suggested. Space under cabinets for pots and pans or baskets - do this over sink or over fridge.
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PRO
Kelli Kaufer Designs
10 years ago
Different heights with molding added to the top of cabinets.
Traditional Kitchen Remodel · More Info
User
10 years ago
I think the shelf under the cabinets looks ridiculous.
Betty Des
10 years ago
I love my OTR Microwave. In a small kitchen it's the bees knees ;). If you move the cabinet up to get the space you need, can you replace a corner cabinet/ other cabinet with a taller one (and maybe glass door) to look like its intentional?