Your kitchen plan is very close to my current one. I need ventilation! In my new kitchen, a real hood vent was priority #1. The microwave ones are quite useless for that, they are very loud and blow the smell, smoke, steam right back at your forehead. Also, my kids can barely reach the microwave and I hate when they want to warm up something while I'm cooking and they are reaching in front of my face. I would do anything but the micro over the range.

If you‘re happy with it in its current location, I see no reason to move it. Just make sure the new one vents to the outside...and turn it on when you’re cooking! ;)

I dislike under-counter microwaves, so the only spot I see that might work is in that full height cabinetry left of your sink. You can alter your design to have the microwave at whatever height you like, and you'll have a landing zone to the right.

There are options beyond those two -- a hood works way better than the ventilation attached to a microwave, so it's worth considering them. You can put a microwave (counter type or built-in type) in a shelf, so that it's still at eye level but not pretending to be a hood.

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Your kitchen designer should be able to help suggest some options for ways to incorporate these possibilities into your design.

In the tall cab to the right of the fridge

A second vote for to the left of the sink where the tall wall cabinet is located.

Had an over the range microwave in our former house. Though it was vented to the outside, still it wasn’t effective as a vent hood.

In the renovated kitchen in a home we moved to almost four years ago, we relegated a microwave to a shelf above the toaster oven. For a real venting hood, we chose Vent A Hood. It’s does a great job of containing effluents, odors and is ever so quiet, even on high.

Here they are:

Hmmm, for some reason, I can’t get the pics to load. Curious...as I’ve posted the pics before.

suggestions?

FWIW, a guideline I'd read (National Kitchen something org) recommended placing the bottom of the micro 3" below the primary user's shoulder. I'm used to having my micro on the counter but plan to move it with this remodel. But this guideline meant that putting it at the bottom of an upper cabinet would be too high for me (I'm short). So if you want to follow their advice, the best bet might be the suggestion to place it somewhere in the full-length cabinet, at ideal height, and next to landing spot.

BTW, what's the grey rectangle on the middle of the floor? Is there room for an island?

Here's the NKBA rule about MWs...

tall pantry, built in........reverse with fridge at counter depth

Thank you all for your suggestions! The grey rectangle is the island. I like the idea of it in the cabinet to the left of the sink. That was going to be the hutch but think it can still work. I’m 5’ foot tall and my husband is 6 ‘ so happy medium....

Your layout is almost exactly the plan I’m working toward in my guest loft. However, mine is probably a foot or two shorter on the sink wall. This is the only reason I’m putting my microwave over the range. If I had the space I’d do a drawer unit instead. I have had a microwave at that location and height in the main house and I don’t love lifting hot, bubbly stuff down to stir and such. But since my guest house kitchen won’t be for constant use by a family it will be fine, for my main house kitchen I would prefer a drawer.

My preference though, is like Jan posted above. In a tall unit but at about counter height. My sister in law has hers like that and it is very easy to use, plus it’s not built in so is easier and cheaper to replace if need be.

Novel idea ..how about on the work top !