Where to Put a Microwave in Your Kitchen: 12 Best and Worst Locations Explored

In deciding where to put a microwave in a kitchen, there are so many options available. Having planned kitchens before in my work as an interior designer, I can appreciate that a microwave is a key part of lots of busy kitchens. And getting its location right is crucial.

If you’re planning a new home kitchen design, or your current microwave placement isn’t feeling fabulous, read on. Below I’ll cover off some of the best places to store your microwave, as well as some locations you’re best to avoid despite how tempting it may appear.

If you have any questions about where to put a microwave in your kitchen, drop them at the end of the post in the comments section and I’ll help you out.

Image above is via Carlisle Homes.

1. Under the Kitchen Counter

From a visual perspective, placing your microwave oven under the kitchen counter can’t be beat. Let’s face it; microwaves aren’t on anyone’s list of the sexiest appliances for the home. Housing it here beside some lower cabinets keeps it out of sight, but still easily accessible.

If the cutout around the microwave is larger than the unit, you have space for proper ventilation, but also room to house kitchen essentials like chopping boards. In a previous small kitchen of mine I even stored things like glad wrap, baking paper and tin foil on top, because there was plenty of room to do so.

The downside to a microwave placed under the kitchen counter: The constant bending down or squatting (not great if you’re of a mature age). And the fact that you can’t see the buttons on the microwave door panel when standing up. I learnt that the hard way during the great popcorn burning debacle of 2024, when I set a way longer time than I meant to.

2. Above a Wall Oven

This is by far the best option if you’re building your kitchen from scratch. The opportunity to select a wall oven and microwave that complement one another and slot into cabinetry perfectly is a welcome one. That’s the visual ticked off, now let’s talk function.

In terms of usability, built-in microwaves above an oven allow for easy access, for sure. You don’t have to bend down to it either, and you can clearly see what you’re doing. Young children also can’t access it easily, so there’s a safety bonus there too.

On the downside, having a microwave with a built-in look set at this height might make heating hot items problematic for shorter people. There’s opportunity for spills and burns if you feel as though your arms are going above your head to reach the microwave door. 

3. On Top of a Fridge

We’re a real-world design business, so I know not everyone has a designer kitchen. Some are small and have little to no counter space. So you really do have to think outside the box when it comes to microwave placement. A microwave on top of a fridge though, I’m not sold on.

If you have a shorter fridge like the ones in our small refrigerator roundup, a smaller microwave can work on top of it because you don’t have to reach up very high. And it certainly helps free up space on your benchtop for food prep. But on a tall fridge, it’s a no-deal for me.

Visually it doesn’t look great stacking two appliances on one another, and functionally it’s hard to reach. Hot foods and plates coming out of a microwave that high up screams danger to me.

4. Built In At Shoulder Level

I like this idea, I really do. It puts the microwave at most people’s shoulder height, so it’s within easy reach. Plus, it avoids possible burns from food spillage because you’re not reaching above your head to balance a hot bowl out of the microwave. 

Having your microwave built inside a kitchen cabinet at this height also means it’s out of reach of kids who are on the younger side. But it’s high enough that with time they can learn to access it safely under your supervision. 

In terms of where to place this setup in your kitchen, think about it logically. Food that’s being heated is being taken from the fridge or freezer, so locating it in a vertical run of cabinetry not far from your fridge is a great idea.

5. Under the Upper Cabinets / Over Cooktop

If you’re designing your kitchen from scratch, a suspended microwave cabinet that sits under an upper run of cabinetry and over the cooktop can be a great option. 

It can make the microwave look more a part of the overall cooking zone. From a functional perspective, it can make preparing a meal a whole lot easier too because you’re not running around to different parts of the kitchen.

Bear in mind that you’ll need to purchase a microwave with a built-in extraction fan. This is common for those of you reading from the US but less common in Australia.

6. On a Floating Shelf

This is a great addition to an existing kitchen. It’s an easy DIY fix for those of you who enjoy that sorta thing (I myself am terrible at it), and it doesn’t cost much to implement.

Installing a few shelves like in the image above keeps the appliance at an easy-reach level but it also afford you the ability to style up the area as well to make it more visually appealing. 

Do ensure you’re fixing the shelf to a stud in the wall though. Microwaves might be small appliances but they do carry a fair bit of weight. The last thing you want is the entire setup peeling away from the wall.

7. Inside an Existing Kitchen Cupboard

In smaller kitchens, you need every inch of valuable countertop space you can get your hands on. In this case, why not place your microwave inside a tall cabinet like a pantry? 

I did it in my mother’s apartment and it works a treat. The microwave can’t be seen when it’s not being used, there’s enough countertop space for food prep, but it’s also in close proximity when needed.

There was some food storage space to give up inside the pantry, but that was a compromise she was willing to make. We also had to install a power point inside the cupboard but that wasn’t too costly either.

8. In a Butler’s Pantry 

If you’re lucky enough to have a butler’s pantry, you might want to consider it as the area where the real work happens, with your main kitchen being more of a show piece.

It’s actually the direction a lot of home’s are heading it; the butler’s being hidden away with all the electrical appliances and gadgets housed in it.

We did this for a client recently. The microwave lived in the butler’s pantry, inside a cabinet space with retractable doors. It worked really well for them. The main downside is the extra work in walking food from the kitchen to the butler’s to heat it up.

9. In an Appliance Cupboard

I love an appliance cupboard. In a home with a smaller footprint, it’s the best way to get a butler’s pantry vibe without the cost. And you can hide unsightly kitchen appliances – including your microwave – behind a cabinet door. 

You could even put a pull-down roller-style door on it and make it your very own appliance garage. Broom broom! 

This zone is a great microwave placement option because it’s close-by but hidden away at the same time. The cupboard will have an electrical outlet inside so everything can plug in neatly. And then you’ll have a lot of space left on your countertop for styling (which I love).

10. Directly on the Counter Top

A countertop microwave is not going to win any beauty award anytime soon, but for some of us it’s the only place it can live. On the plus side, countertop models are a convenient option. They’re right there beside all your other appliances in a comfortable day-to-day location.

And there are ways to make it look less utilitarian too. Placing an over-microwave shelf around your appliance can make your microwave feel like less of an ugly focal point, more intentional. And then have space on top to store everyday essentials while still promoting ventilation. 

11. Under the Kitchen Island

Storing a microwave within the kitchen island is a popular option for some, but it’s a no from this kitchen designer. Be it in a new kitchen or existing one, the island is a high traffic zone. 

It’s where people gather, eat food, have drinks. Where all of us connect. It’s not the best place to have microwave doors swinging open with hot food coming out. It presents too many safety concerns for me.

From a kitchen layout perspective, the wall cabinets on the outer edges of the room are the better spaces to store appliances, not in the middle of the kitchen.

12. On a Freestanding Shelf

Wondering where to put a microwave in a kitchen that doesn’t really have countertop space or room in a cabinet? Some kitchens are like this. I’ve been in homes that for reasons unknown have barely any cabinetry built and yet plenty of space where it could have been installed.

A freestanding shelf is absolutely an option here and great for renters too! It can look far more attractive than you think. The disclaimer is that you want to ensure it’s sturdy, deep enough, and attached to the wall. Rocking shelves with heavy appliances on them are not advised.

How to Determine Where to Put a Microwave In Your Kitchen

You really want to ask yourself a few questions, which will help you determine where the best location for your microwave is:

• How often do I use my microwave? Everyday means it has to be easy to access. If it’s not often, position becomes less important
• Am I older or have injuries? If so, bending down low to a microwave in a base cabinet might not be a good option
• How tall am I? If you’re on the shorter side, a microwave up high where burns from food can occur is not a great place for it
• Do I have young kids? If so, the right place for your microwave might be at adult eye or shoulder height so they can’t reach it just yet
• Would a standard size microwave fit in an existing cupboard? This might be the spot for it if you have enough kitchen storage space but need more countertop space

Has this post helped you figure out where to put a microwave in your kitchen? I certainly hope so. Drop me a comment below is there’s anything else you need to know or ask about and I can help you out.