It is not a good space for a MW unless you do a base cabinet and wall cabinet, with a built in MW in either. You need landing space really close to a MW. It's a common source for kitchen burns as overheating of the contents tends to occur and you need a place to sit something down really quick and really close.

Unless you rework your cabinets and use a pantry from the same manufacturer, and rework the crown, it will never look right. The only good and cheap solution to that, is a freestanding piece like a china cabinet or armoire there. Remake it so a MW can hang from the upper, and still have counter space below. Or, just use it as a pantry and put a MW elsewhere.

thanks, we're buying the house from a flipper, so maybe they just didn't want to spend the extra money for that last cabinet.

I found a pantry cabinet at Ikea that might work, it actually looks incredibly similar to these cabinets, I wonder if they are the same model with the added crown? In this photo I found online, it shows the Ikea Sektion High base cabinet + drawers with Grimslov front. It seems there is enough space for a hot plate if needed. I don't think a landed space is my priority, I have lived in other spaces with microwaves a bit far from a counter space and didn't encounter any big issues.

Could you suggest any armoires or china cabinets that would give me lots of room for my food storage plus a microwave? thanks so much!

thanks Simstress, I'm going under the assumption it's nearby since the fridge is right there. Hopefully, it would be an easy fix with an extension cord.

Microwave, if built in, should be on a separate circuit.

I think it's a great idea in terms of storage, etc.

Just in case it hadn't occurred to you, the one downside of that choice is that your entry doorway to the room is going to be turned into a tunnel, with a cabinet on one side and a wall on the other. It's only two feet and the space is bright, so probably not a problem, but I just wanted to be sure you weren't surprised by that outcome.

OK, hopefully, it wouldn't be too hard for an electrician to rewire a new outlet? I actually like the idea of a "tunnel-like" entrance that leads to the two smaller bedrooms, it creates more of a division between the living and sleeping spaces.

The outlet is not the problem.........you have to see if you have an open circuit in the electrical box. Ask the flipper where the cabinets came from so you can match it. IKEA will likely not match in dimensions unless those are IKEA cabinets. Not sure IKEA offers cover trim so those cabinets might not be theirs.

thanks, Beverly, there is an open circuit in the electrical box so shouldn't be a problem. Good idea, I'll follow up with the seller about the cabinets!