Microwave Ovens in Kitchen Island Cabinets

Island cabinetry has become a staple in many modern kitchen designs. Homeowners love the extra storage and functional prep space an island provides. Some families now consider a microwave in an island cabinet an essential for keeping the kitchen workflow seamless.

Integrating your microwave into stylish custom island cabinetry offers convenience. Along with optimizing kitchen efficiency, it also frees up counter real estate. For family microwave duties like warming milk and snacks, this arrangement means no more climbing on stepladders to access it.

Benefits of Installing Your Microwave Oven into Island Cabinetry

What benefits result from putting your microwave in an island compared to countertop placement? Here are five excellent reasons to consider this update for your kitchen's workhorse appliance.

Increased Kitchen Workflow Efficiency

Today's open floor plan kitchens depend on island and peninsula cabinetry to augment limited countertop cooking space. Moving the microwave into an island cabinet location takes it out of the main food prep area. This allows you to fully utilize every inch of counter area when preparing meals.

Enhances Overall Aesthetic by Reducing Clutter

Microwaves are bulky appliances that hog counter real estate. Integrating your microwave oven into your kitchen island helps reduce visual clutter. It streamlines the look for a less distracting, more minimalist appearance.

Improves Access and Safety

Installing your microwave at a convenient height within an island cabinet enhances access and safety. It alleviates the risk of burns from removing hot foods from an overhead microwave. Integrated cabinet microwaves place the appliance at an ergonomic level for users of all ages and abilities.

Adds Resale Value

Incorporating specialty cabinetry and appliance garage spaces boosts your home's resale potential. Homebuyers perceive a microwave set into attractive custom millwork as an additional luxury convenience. Designed thoughtfully, it shows off your kitchen's functionality.

Expands Available Counter Space

Relocating your microwave frees up room for small appliances like coffee machines, stand mixers, and toasters. Removing a large microwave from your countertop opens up space. It helps reduce that cluttered look that plagues tiny kitchens.

What to Consider Before Putting Your Microwave in an Island

What should you contemplate first before remodeling your island to hold a built-in microwave? Analyze available space, electrical requirements, and your family's needs.

Measure Carefully to Ensure a Proper Fit

Check your island cabinet's dimensions before modifying it for a built-in microwave. Measure the interior width, height, and depth to ensure your microwave model fits inside. Allow for additional room for ventilation. An extra inch or two enables opening and closing the door without obstruction.

Evaluate Support for Extra Weight

Reinforce flooring under the island for a microwave's additional weight load. A standard microwave can weigh from 40 to 75 pounds. Consult your appliance's manual for specs. Solid hardwood or an added support beam ensures your remodeled island remains sturdy.

Update Your Electrical and Install a Ventilation Fan

Microwaves have specific outlet plug configurations to operate safely. Island cabinet microwaves need adequate airflow and ventilation too. Hire an electrician to install a 20-amp outlet in your cabinetry. Have them add a ventilation fan with ductwork venting outside.

Creative Design Solutions for Island Cabinet Microwaves

Have a smaller island? There are adaptable microwave cabinet configurations for modest spaces. Explore options like compact drawer microwaves or specialized microwave cabinets.

Microwave Drawers

Microwave drawers offer a brilliant small-space solution for island integration. Models like Sharp's SMD2470AS slide out smoothly to access the appliance then tuck away when not in use. No cabinet rebuilding is necessary. Microwave drawers take up less room than traditional microwaves.

All-In-One Microwave Cabinets

Companies like Rev-A-Shelf design custom cabinets sized for standard microwaves. Products integrate shelving, turn tables, interior lighting, and ventilation. It lets you switch out your old microwave for a new model easily in the future.

DIY Custom Cabinet Builds

Handy homeowners can create their own custom microwave island cabinet too. Remove existing cabinet doors to open up space. Install additional interior shelving sized to your microwave's exterior dimensions. Box in the area neatly with trim molding for a built-in look.

Installing Your Microwave in an Island

Watching professional YouTube tutorials helps guide DIYers through basic microwave cabinet installs. Consider hiring an electrician, carpenter, and HVAC company for safe, complex builds.

Step 1: Switch Off Power and Remove Old Microwave

Shut off power to the kitchen at the breaker before starting. Unplug and remove your old microwave. Temporarily place it nearby to reference dimensions later when adjusting your new built-in space.

Step 2: Construct New Housing Within Cabinet

Measure and mark off interior dimensions equal to your microwave's width and height. Remove shelves as needed through sawing. Construct a sturdy platform from plywood or 2 x 4s where your appliance will sit. Box in sides with trim boards.

Step 3: Install Electrical and Ventilation

Hire an electrician to install your microwave-specific outlet aligned with the cabinet cutout. Engage an HVAC company to configure ductwork if venting outside. They can also install an interior ventilation fan if your island has room.

Step 4: Slide In Microwave and Test

Once electrical and ventilation are complete, slide your microwave into its housing. Plug it in to test. Verify appliance and fan operation. Make any interior adjustments needed before moving on.

Step 5: Conceal the Installation

Finish by concealing the updated interior construction and exposed edges. Consider a decorative vent grille matching other metal finishes in the kitchen. Panel off sides attractively with additional cabinet doors or molding.

Decorating a Kitchen Island with an Integrated Microwave

The advantage to incorporating specialty cabinet spaces is you can disguise utilitarian appliances within high-end finishes. Customize with cabinet doors in a style complementary to your kitchen motif.

Shaker Cabinets Offer Versatility

Clean Shaker cabinetry blends beautifully with both contemporary and classic design aesthetics. The panel profiles and recessed frames integrate microwaves seamlessly. Opt for distinctive hardware like black iron pulls or satin bronze knobs.

Glamorous Glass Cabinet Inserts

Frosted or smoked glass cabinets conceal microwaves attractively. Yet conveniently allow monitoring food inside. Glass cabinet inserts aligned with plush bar pulls generate lots of character. Uplighting over a glass microwave door provides a stylish accent too.

Rustic Wood Elements

Nothing says cozy AND upscale like rich wood finishes. Craft raised recessed panels with smooth natural oak fronts showcasing metal mesh for ventilation. Carved legs supporting the cabinetry reinforce the rustic opulence.

Caring for Your Island Microwave Properly

Integrated microwaves require the same cleaning and adjustments as countertop models. But cabinet confined placement means taking additional care during repairs.

Detach and Remove Microwave If Needed

Construct island cabinetry housing microwaves to enable appliance removal. Should repairs become necessary, you can detach wiring and extract the unit safely. Ensure you allow adequate clearance.

Keep your integrated microwave looking like new despite heavy use. Use a gentle appliance e-cloth and avoid harsh chemicals inside. Use steam to loosen stuck bits on interior surfaces. Buff stainless steel fronts to protect from corrosion.