Skip the intro · jump to the list ↓
This list is for anyone staring at their counter wondering where on earth the microwave should actually live. Renters, first-time homeowners, small kitchen owners, all of you are covered here!
Are you tired of that appliance eating up your only counter space? Same! So many kitchens just shove it wherever there’s an open outlet and call it a day.
I scrolled through way too many kitchen photos to put this together, lol! I kept only the ideas that were actually doable, not the ones that need a full renovation and a second mortgage.
Every idea here fits a real budget and a real kitchen. Some need a drill and a Saturday. Others just need a cart and an extra outlet.
They’re organized from built-in kitchen spots to the more unexpected rooms like laundry closets and dorm setups. Skip around to whatever fits your space!
By the end you’ll have a whole list of microwave location ideas to try. Honestly, picking just one is the hard part, am I right?
MICROWAVE LOCATION IDEAS
Microwave In Pantry Nook
This pantry nook idea might be my favorite on the whole list. Tucking the microwave into a walk-in pantry keeps the countertop completely clear.
It just disappears into the shelving until you need it.
She keeps a little basket of popcorn right next to it, which is a nice touch.
- The counter clears instantly
- Fits most walk-in pantries
- No extra outlet needed if one’s already there
Built In Wall Microwave
Built in microwaves look like they belong in a magazine spread with that trim kit finish. How sharp is that?
I priced one out for my own kitchen and nearly fell over, so this is a splurge move.
It buys back a ton of counter space for good though!
Not every kitchen fits this, but if yours does, worth every penny!
- The magazine spread look
- Needs a trim kit
- A weekend project for a pro
Microwave Above Wall Oven
Stacking the microwave above a wall oven keeps everything cooking related in one tall column.
I still ask him how he pulled it off.
Talk about efficient! Who wouldn’t want that kind of setup?
- One tall cooking column
- Great for narrow kitchens
- Keeps both appliances at eye level
Microwave Inside Kitchen Island
Who says the microwave needs to sit near the stove? Building it into the island puts it closer to the snacks anyway, haha!
It works especially well in open kitchens with extra cabinet depth.
Snack station wins over stove logic every single time!
- Closer to the snack drawer
- Needs deeper island cabinets
- Keep the vent side clear
Microwave In Base Cabinet
Tucking it into a base cabinet keeps things low and out of sight.
My upper cabinets are already stuffed, so this saved me some real estate.
Solid option if yours are packed too!
A pull-out shelf underneath makes loading way easier on your back.
- Kind to your lower back
- Pull-out shelf recommended
- Works with standard base cabinets
Microwave Drawer Under Counter
A microwave drawer under the counter is honestly the sleekest option on this whole list. It opens like a dishwasher and closes flush with the cabinetry.
Who doesn’t love a gadget that hides itself that well?
- Opens like a dishwasher
- A pricier upgrade
- Sits flush with cabinet fronts
Microwave Hidden Behind Cabinet Doors
Hiding the microwave behind cabinet doors keeps the kitchen looking clean and uniform.
I did this once just because my appliance clashed with the cabinets and it fixed everything instantly.
You swing the door open, use it, close it right back up.
Great fix if your colors just do not match!
- Matches every cabinet color
- Simple door swap project
- Good for older kitchens
Microwave On Open Shelf
An open shelf works when you just need something quick and cheap.
No cutting, no drilling, just a sturdy shelf and a level.
I went this route in my first apartment out of pure laziness, lol!
It will not hide the appliance, but it frees up counters immediately.
- No tools required
- Budget friendly fix
- Needs a sturdy wall bracket
Microwave In Coffee Station
Building a coffee station around the microwave actually makes sense. How convenient is that?
Reheating coffee and popping popcorn happen in that exact same spot now.
Efficient chaos, basically! Nobody’s complaining.
- Where the coffee lives too
- Pairs well with a small counter
- Keep mugs within reach
Microwave In Butlers Pantry
A butlers pantry hides the microwave completely from the main kitchen view.
I love this for hosting because guests never even know it exists until you need it.
You warm something up and nobody notices a thing, haha!
Perfect if you love hosting but hate visible appliances.
- Guests never see it coming
- Great for open concept homes
Microwave Above Countertop Corner
Corners get wasted so often in kitchen design.
Placing the microwave above a countertop corner solves that dead space problem instantly.
I never realized how much I hated reaching across my own workspace until this fixed it.
Keeps the appliance out of your main path too, which is underrated!
- Fixes that dead corner space
- Keeps the main counter clear
Microwave In Laundry Room
Putting a microwave in the laundry room sounds odd until you actually try it. It’s perfect for reheating a snack while you fold towels.
Who’s laughing now, honestly?
- Snacks while you fold laundry
- Great for small apartments
Microwave In Garage Cabinet
A garage cabinet setup works as a practical overflow spot.
This handles holiday cooking when your main microwave is already busy.
My own garage unit only earns its keep during Thanksgiving chaos, honestly, lol!
- The overflow appliance spot
- Good for garage fridges too
- Weatherproof outlet needed
Microwave In Basement Kitchenette
Basement kitchenettes need every inch to work hard.
Tucking the microwave into a small cabinet run down there makes movie nights way easier.
No trips upstairs ever again, lol!
- No popcorn trips upstairs
- Compact cabinet size works
- Pairs well with a mini fridge
Microwave Tucked In Armoire
An old armoire makes a surprisingly great home for a microwave.
I found mine at a thrift store for practically nothing and never looked back!
Such a clever fix for studio apartments without a real kitchen wall.
Thrift stores are full of these just waiting for the makeover, am I right?
- A thrift store glow up
Microwave In Sliding Cabinet
Sliding cabinet setups let the microwave hide until the exact moment you need it.
Pull it out, heat up dinner, slide it right back in.
I always feel weirdly fancy using mine, which says more about me than the mechanism, haha!
Simple hardware, big ego boost!
- Slides out only when needed
- Feels fancier than it is
Microwave In Home Office Nook
A home office nook might be the most unexpected spot on this whole list. Working from home basically demands a coffee reheat station nearby, am I right?
This setup keeps you from wandering all the way to the kitchen every hour.
My desk drawer even holds the mug collection now.
- Built for work from home days
- Keep it away from paperwork
Microwave In Dorm Room Cart
A dorm room cart is basically a rite of passage. Every college kid I know has one of these rolling around somewhere in their tiny room.
It holds the microwave, a mini fridge and snacks all at once, which is honestly impressive engineering!
How cute is that whole little setup?
- The college rite of passage
- Rolls easily between rooms
- Fits most mini fridges underneath
Microwave In Rolling Kitchen Cart
A rolling kitchen cart is the most flexible option here by far.
Roll it wherever the outlet happens to be that day.
My rental has exactly one usable outlet, so this saved my sanity!
No shame in that, especially for renters avoiding drilled holes.
- Goes wherever the outlet is
- No drilling required
Microwave In Buffet Cabinet
Last but definitely not least, a buffet cabinet gives the microwave a proper formal home.
This works surprisingly well in dining rooms doubling as extra kitchen storage.
My dining room hides one this way and guests never guess it’s there, lol!
It closes up neatly when company comes over, mystery solved!
- The formal dining room fix
- Doors close for a clean look
- Good for dining room overflow
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Emily
✨ Wait! Your next favorite is right here
These are the posts readers open next. See why:
