Why don't you buy cabinetry for the space that is named microwave/coffee cart to make it look more intentional? I don't have pictures saved that look exactly like what I'm talking about, but if you use your imagination a little (pretend they're 30-36" wide - I don't know how much space you have there) . . . just get the microwave off the counter to be able to have your coffee station underneath. You can hide the microwave behind doors or not, whichever you prefer.

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I like the microwave on the cart. You have to bend down a bit which is not much of a problem unless you have heavy items to put in the microwave that require both hands to remove (which could also be an issue with the microwave over the range).

The open shelved cart I bought matches my white cabinets nearly perfectly. Your black storage cart seems to conflict with your cabinetry. It does not bother me that it is outside the L. However an open cart may not conflict as much because it does not have the boxy look of a cabinet.

You could decorate the wall above the cart with coordinating kitchen tools to create a vignette that compliments the rest of the kitchen, and fills up the space visually for more balance with the rest of the kitchen.

In a small kitchen, it is always helpful to keep the countertop as clear as possible.

Alternatively, you could choose something like this to use as a cart that is a work of art:

French marble bakers rack

I agree, try to go with any option other than over the range.

I second the suggestion of cabinetry in the corner instead of a cart. Put the MW on a shelf, so you have a landing spot for things coming out of the MW.

If you haven't already ordered cabinets, perhaps rethink the upper corner cabinet. First, angled corner cabinets are black holes (I used to have two of them, I could only access things in the very front). Second, it forces a 12" upper next to the range. I've had those two, and they are next to useless. I think a blind corner would give you much more usable cabinet space.

I currently have a blind corner. I have seldom-used items in small tubs in the "dead" space on the top two shelves, and larger, easy to grab things on the bottom shelf (like boxes of pasta noodles).

Why not put some shelves where you will put the cart and put the mw on a shelf there?

OTR microwave ovens are great. They're in the right place -- the "cooking zone" -- can be configured to recirculate or vent, and take up no cabinet or counter space. If you don't want a standard, full-height model, there are slim ovens such as the GE Profile UVM9125STSS which is only 10.3" high.

Not a fan of OTR microwaves for many reasons. But one main objection is that the MW is often used by non-cooks. It's nice someone can warm up a snack or make a cup of tea w/o interrupting a cook at the range. A cart or cabinets in your empty corner makes the MW accessible to everyone. I agree with suggestions above to put the MW either below countertop level or above the cabinet/cart top on a shelf, so you have a good place to set items before or after heating.

I replaced the OTR MW in my last kitchen (in favor of an actual hood that vented to the outside), and next week I'm replacing the one in my current kitchen with a recirculating hood (until I get get that one vented as well).

There are 3 big disadvantages to an OTR MW: first, they are bulky and right in your face while you use the stove. Second, as mcarroll16 pointed out, they are inconvenient to use if someone is cooking at the stove. Third, whether recirculating or vented to the outside, they generally don't have the air flow to do the job properly.

Fourth, the height is inconvenient. Makes it unsafe for shorter people trying to remove larger bowls of hot liquids, and completely unuseable for kids.

An alternative is an undercabinet microwave like the the GE Profile - Spacemaker if they still call it that, that does not have a range hood function, but mounts to the bottom of a cabinet.

If the cabinet is the proper size it could be mounted under the cabinet over the DW. That is a spot that you may use to airdry dishes and such, but it's not really used much as a prep space by most people so you still have some counter space, and lose some height but the height available over the countertop is not as crucial there.

I know people say that MW vent hoods don't do anything but I have the empirical evidence of being blasted in the face by hot air that smelled like food at the other end of the duct at the outlet when mine was in operation, so it was certainly doing something . I just never liked the height because I am short.

Hey all, thank you for all of the help! You've collectively convinced me to ditch the over-the-counter microwave. I'm worried about the lesser venting capabilities and my wife is worried about it conflicting with someone using the stove, high height (inaccessible to kids) and the general appearance of it.

So for now, I'm going to move forward with the renovation with a range hood. I don't know where we'll put the microwave yet, but it will probably be in a cart or on a shelf.

Sadly I don't think the built in high cabinets will work for us. We have about 20" from the wall to the hallway door. We're using IKEA for our other cabinets so we'd any attached cabinets to match -- and IKEA's options are all 24" deep.

Sadly I don't think the built in high cabinets will work for us...IKEA's options are all 24" deep.

This is not correct.

Ikea does have the microwave shelf. you'd need a small Micro for this

The black one w/a wood top would be nice over on the other wall.

Target has this one 41X17 deep

you could get something less than 22" deep**

You could even fabricate a custom built one w/an upper and lower

a carpenter could make something custom that perfectly fits that spot.

you could even do something like this w/some open shelving on top. just use a base cab on the bottom

Plenty of options you could do

**However, keep in mind the Rough In specs for built-ins. a lot of them require 24" (has to do w/venting) If you got a smaller model, you'd be ok, but any of the 1.5 cub inch models, require 24" deep. Just make sure you read the rough in dimensions before buying