Is there any way you can have the cabinet company add a floating shelf to sit underneath the upper cabinets next to the hallway wall? Something like this:

San Francisco Kitchen Redux · More Info

I think the best place for the microwave is in someone else's house. If you don't use it a lot, don't let it take up valuable counter space; I like your idea of putting it in the pantry so it's out of sight since you don't use it a lot.

I follow YoungHouseLove and they had almost the same fridge/closet/door set up several years ago before a complete reno of their Richmond kitchen (and before moving to FL). You may wish to read their blog post on it to see how it worked for them. https://www.younghouselove.com/theres-a-party-in-my-pantry/

@tlynn1960 I am not sure how you found that. It’s the same set up. Thank you.

@sabrina Alfin Interiors - great idea. I had planned on a cabinet there but this is a great option.

I'm not sure how often not that often is, but I feel the best solution is to put it in the pantry. Don't waste counter space for it, and don't create more reasons for collisions by the garage door. Having it steps away from the kitchen is no big deal if you truly don't use it often.

@C. Birchall I’d love to see a picture of that. We use our micro everyday and it’s on the counter top which I want to change when (if) we ever redo our kitchen.

@ C. Birchall I just searched for your ovens and wow; very nice! Love it. Makes so much sense and looks great!

Apologies for the poor quality of the photo. But here it is. On the very bottom is a warming drawer, then the regular oven, then the microwave-convection, and on top is closed cupboard that's divided vertically for tray, serving platters and sheet pans. And this is not a new design. We moved here more than ten years ago and the appliances were like this, so I know they're about 15 years old. The system works great though.

@C. Birchall That looks great! I’m just now aware of this set up! I had thought I’d put the microwave above the stove but I also knew I wanted a fan that worked (well) too. This is a really great way to go. Thanks!

I partially remodeled my kitchen a few years ago. When I bought my house it had a microwave/convection wall combo which I hated. Need double ovens so I replaced the combo with a straight double wall oven. I'm not a fan of microwave ovens on the counter. Best solution, and one I have never regretted was to retrofit a space in my lower cabinets for a microwave drawer.

I agree about microwaves on the counter. Don't like them at all. In our previous home we remodelled the kitchen and put the microwave in a special space in the lower cabinet. Worked well, but that kitchen was much bigger than the one I have now, where I have more limited cabinet space. I use the combo as a convection oven at least as often as I use the microwave, so my current setup works well for me. I guess it all depends on how much space you have and how you cook.

I got used to heating things up in a small pot in an inch of water- takes about a wopping 4 minutes longer, and happy to see the microwave go to be honest. Out it went and I don't miss it

Lately I’ve been heating water on the stove and reheating a leftovers either using my steamer insert in my electric skillet or in oven or broiler. I had a microwave-convection oven before and only ever used the microwave part but I like that double oven set-up.

Also, in a double oven set-up, put the more used oven at the favored height. If I weren’t using the microwave often, I’d put it on the bottom.

Agree, as long as that doesn't make the regular oven too high. I'm not very tall, and I like to be able to look down onto the top of baked goods when they're baking. I also use a Creuset Dutch oven often, and with 5 pounds of beef bourguinon in it, it gets heavy. I wouldn't want to lift it above my shoulders to put it in the oven. Also, , I want to be able to lift the lid and see what's inside without removing it completely from the oven. Stuff that goes into a microwave or a convection oven is usually much lighter, so being on the top isn't as much of an issue.

Exactly right. I have a GE range with small top oven and large bottom oven. I use the top one all the time for baking and broiling. I move slowly and intentionally for big roasts, heavy casseroles, and multiple trays in the bottom oven, but I’m a good home cook well into retirement years and I’m working hard to keep my strength and agility so I can do this kind of thing up to the end.

We remodeled our kitchen last year and wanted to replace our above-the-range microwave with a powerful hood vented outside to eliminate cooking fumes. We installed a drawer microwave in our island. We love it! It doesn’t take up any counterspace and is conveniently located in the kitchen close to the sink, dishes and utensils!

I'd say put your microwave in the pantry since you don't use it often. Replacing the over-the-range behemoth of a microwave with an unobtrusive vent hood, then putting a small microwave in the pantry, was the best thing I did for my kitchen.