Help with microwave drawer placement

8 years ago

Our plan right now has the microwave drawer separated from the fridge by an 12” trey cabinet (see picture below), but I want to take the space from the trey cabinet and put it in the pantry on the other side of the fridge. That would shift the fridge down 12” and put the fridge and microwave drawer side by side, separated by a panel.

I am not concerned about heat transfer, we just don’t use the microwave that much and the microwave and fridge should both be insulated enough to make it a non issue. My concern is more looks and possibly someone opening the fridge when the microwave drawer is extended, banging the fridge door.

The other option is in the island, which is fine, but it messes with the visual line up of the island drawers today (see photo below). Both options are functional, not sure which would look better.

We chose a drawer vs overhead because We don’t have a lot of upper cabinets and I don’t want to lose the space, plus with the kids and my mom being short a drawer is easier access for them. The microwave can’t go in a pantry or such out of site, there is no room, and I don’t want it on the counter.

Current island

Current fridge wall

Featured Answer

cpartist

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

My old kitchen had the MW drawer right next to fridge. Was never a problem . Will post pic later

Heck just realized my new kitchen will have it right next to fridge too.

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Comments (13)

kazmom
Original Author
8 years ago
For those that were offering advice on the earlier design thread, we decided to make the recessed area (former kitchen entry) into a broom closet. It will store broom, mop, bucket, cleaning supplies, dog food, extra paper towels, light bulbs, etc. I want to expand the pantry cabinet by the fridge to 33” for food.
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kazmom
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks! That is the easiest place for it if it works.
mishmosh
8 years ago
Looks good to me!
dchall_san_antonio
8 years ago
Microwave drawer does not compute for me. We have our microwave at eye level so we can see the panel and the food inside. We sacrificed the bottom of an upper cabinet for the microwave.
kazmom
Original Author
8 years ago
Dchall - this is my first drawer, but I think we will like it. In our remodel we have more lowers than uppers and I don’t want to loose the majority of an upper for the microwave. Plus, my mom and daughter are on the shorter side short and my son is young (and so short for now), so a microwave under a normal upper isn’t that easy for them to get things in or out, or, IMO, that safe for my short 74 year old mom. The panel tilts up so no issue seeing it from above. No, you can’t look in while it is going, but you also don’t have to remove things in order to stir or reposition them. Trade offs, though not that big a deal for me because honestly I can’t really tell anything from looking at my food through the microwave door.
kazmom
Original Author
8 years ago
Mishmosh - my concern is that when we take out the tray storage and add that space to the pantry it will push my fridge right beside the microwave. Hopefully it will still look ok. I have asked the cabinet guy for an illustration showing it.
mishmosh
8 years ago

my cabinet is like your design but next to my range. my fridge is just outside the pic on the right.
kazmom
Original Author
8 years ago
Mishmosh - your color scheme is very similar to what we are going for. What is your countertop? Granite or quartz? What color?
mishmosh
8 years ago
Its granite. At the yard, they called it Persa Cream.
kazmom thanked mishmosh
Julie B
8 years ago
A drawer is great, for all the reasons you have stated. Especially if you don't use it multiple times a day -- for those who use it like an oven, it might be more convenient to have it at eye level. We had it above the stove (awful) and now have a drawer and love it. I think aesthetically, you are fine. Having it right next to the fridge will look fine.
kazmom thanked Julie B
cpartist
8 years ago
This was my kitchen in my condo. Note the mw is right next to the fridge. Never was a problem. I'm doing the upgraded Sharp in my new kitchen along with a paneled integrated fridge.
kazmom thanked cpartist
kazmom
Original Author
8 years ago
Beautiful kitchen! Also similar to our colors. Do you know what your counters were? Material and color?