Where to put the microwave in a small kitchen: photos and ideas

The life of a modern person cannot be imagined without a microwave. She has long become an indispensable helper for us in the kitchen: she will quickly defrost meat, heat up dinner, and warm up baby food to the required temperature when the baby is hungry. What can we say about modern microwave ovens: they boil, bake, steam cutlets and grill. The only question is how to properly place the oven in your kitchen (especially in Khrushchev). So where to put the microwave in a small kitchen (photo options at the end of the article)?

Despite the compactness of the stove, it is really difficult to find a place for it. The traditional working triangle: kitchen refrigerator - stove - sink helps to organize the most coordinated work on cooking. But the microwave oven has also become an equally important item for us that we use every day.

Attention! Earned on our website kitchen designer. You can familiarize yourself with it and design your dream kitchen for free! May also come in handy wardrobes designer.

It is important to remember that the microwave is quite heavy and needs a solid and stable base. In addition, most ovens are equipped with doors that forcefully close and open. It is very important to provide sufficient front space for free door operation and ventilation.

There are many options for placing the microwave in the kitchen: low, high, in and out of sight. Let's consider the most convenient location in order to be able to appreciate all the pros and cons of each of them.

Where to put it: in a corner cabinet?

This is ideal for a large kitchen that has a lot of unused corner surfaces. In this case, the microwave will fill the empty space and face another room.

Tabletop location

This is the most popular and logical option - to install the microwave on the work surface. However, this can not be done in every kitchen: if the room is small, the hostess often does not have enough space even for cooking. In the space between the countertop and the bottom of the microwave, food crumbs will constantly accumulate, which are difficult to remove due to the large weight of the oven. You should also remember about the safe distance from the sink and the stove and the presence of your own socket. If you choose this option, you break the triangle rule. But it will be convenient to take out a bowl with a hot lunch: he took it out and right there on the table. For a large kitchen, this is not a problem and will not cause significant discomfort.

Can I put on a windowsill?

This arrangement is only suitable if the window sill is wide enough to safely install the microwave oven. The socket should also be nearby. Microwave on the windowsill - you should be careful here, as when the appliance is working, it comes out hot air, which can cause a strong temperature difference between the inside and outside of the window, which can cause the glass crack. Especially if your apartment has ordinary, not plastic windows. There is one way out - to use foil-insol on the windowsill, but it may look ugly.

Indoor flowers will also have to be placed in a different place, since microwave radiation is detrimental to them. Moreover, you cannot put the plants on the oven itself: not only will they die, water may leak from the pot - the microwave will become unusable.

Hide near the countertop

For the most reliable fixation, it is necessary to mount special fasteners for the wall.

1. It is better to place it under a wall cabinet directly above the countertop. Another way is a real shelf. This is quite convenient, because there will be a place for work on the table. As for the outlet, the cord should not just dangle near the wall (this is ugly).
2. If the work surface is small or there is no place for a microwave in the wall cabinets, you can replace the lower drawer with a niche. This option allows you to leave a lot of free space on the countertop. But if you have children, this arrangement can be very dangerous.

Build into a kitchen set

This is the most aesthetic and convenient option. It is better to select a kitchen set at the same time as a microwave oven, otherwise their sizes may not match. Sometimes the room allows the use of a classic cabinet with special ventilation. In this case, you can pick up a traditional model for it. However, a built-in oven will look much better, ideally matching the size of the headset.

Tech island: place in the center of the kitchen

As a rule, it is used in country houses: furniture is placed in the center of the kitchen, on which all household appliances and a sink are installed. It is very convenient to place here, as it allows you to completely free the rest of the space from the kitchen utensils. Unfortunately, this option is not suitable for a small urban kitchen.

Hang over the stove

Hanging here is effective, but not aesthetically pleasing. Plus: the microwave and hood will do double work, and there will be more space in the small kitchen. Minus: if you set the stove high, not everyone can reach it.

In this case, the microwave should match the style of the stove, so it is best to purchase them from one manufacturer. The installation time will depend on the duration of the removal of the hood, stove and microwave. In some cases, you have to cut the kitchen countertop from the headset and select new blocks.

Place on the fridge

It is good if it is not a very high refrigerator, otherwise you will have to constantly perform acrobatic stunts just to reach the device. Plus, it's pretty dangerous. Moreover, a microwave oven is a heating device incompatible with a refrigerator (this is described in the instructions). If this is the only way out for you, place the device on a stand or adjust its legs to the maximum height.

Suspension systems

If your kitchen has too small a work surface and you can't integrate the microwave into the built-in furniture, you will be saved by special wall mountings, which allow you to fix the device on almost any vertical surface. To hide anywhere, the modern market offers a large selection of hanging systems: miniature shelves, stands, racks or classic brackets. Choose a height that is comfortable for you, and do not forget to take care of the maximum reliability of the fasteners. Remember that even the slightest movement when closing (opening) the door is simply unacceptable.

Safety and ergonomics rules 

If you're looking for the perfect place for your microwave in your kitchen, stick to the following safety and ergonomic guidelines:

1. The device should be installed at a distance of 0.5 to 1.5 m from the floor so as not to burn yourself during operation.
2. It's good when the countertop from the microwave is no more than an outstretched arm.
3. The stove should not be installed near radiators or ovens. If this is not possible, provide good thermal insulation between them.
4. Never place a kettle or coffee maker on the microwave.
5. Do not cover it with a towel or other items.
6. Make sure the doors open freely.
7. The main safety parameter is a stable and reliable support.

Of course, these are not all accommodation options. Today there are houses in which all household appliances are mounted in a separate room. The choice is only yours.

Options for placing a microwave in a small kitchen (PHOTO)