Microwave Shelf Ideas for Small, Space-Saving Kitchens

The best place for a microwave is on its own shelf or niche, at a height you can see into, with clear counter beside it for hot dishes. That frees the countertop and keeps the appliance from dominating the room.

If your kitchen is small, this is one of the easiest wins among tiny kitchen ideas for small spaces. Below are the placement rules first, then the shelf styles, from built-in to renter-friendly.

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Where should a microwave shelf go?

Decide the location before the style. A microwave that sits too high forces you to lift hot food over your shoulders, and one that sits too low makes you stoop to read the display. As a rule of thumb, aim for a shelf surface somewhere between waist and chest height for the person who uses it most, so you can see inside and slide a bowl out level.

Plan a landing spot too. Leave at least 15 inches of clear counter next to the microwave, or directly below it, so you never carry a hot plate across the room.

Keep it out of the main walkway and away from door swings. Someone backing up with a bowl of soup is the scenario to design against. Ideally the shelf sits close to the fridge and the sink, since that is where most reheating happens.

Mind the heat above the range

Cabinets over a stove are warm. The Ohio State University Extension notes that cabinets above the range, near the dishwasher, or next to the refrigerator exhaust are fine for dishes, pots and pans but too warm for food storage. Keep that in mind if your microwave shelf shares a cabinet run with pantry items.

How do you make a microwave look built in?

A microwave perched on an open shelf reads as a box on a shelf. A built-in look comes from enclosing it in the cabinetry run, with a niche sized to the appliance.

Standard upper cabinets are often 12 to 13 inches deep, while many microwaves are deeper than that. A deeper tall unit, or a section stepped out from the run, keeps the front from sticking into the room. A trim kit, a metal frame made for specific microwave models, closes the gap around the door and makes the shelf look like a wall oven.

Leave breathing room. Manufacturers usually ask for a few inches of clearance around the sides and top, so check the spec sheet before anyone builds the box. As an architect, I'd always size the niche to the manual, not to the appliance's outer dimensions.

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Is an appliance garage worth it?

If you want the microwave invisible, a countertop-level appliance garage hides it behind a door. It works well in open-plan homes where the kitchen is in view of the sofa.

A standard swing door gets annoying if you reheat things all day. Pocket doors that slide into the cabinet, or a lift-up door, keep the walkway clear. Put an outlet inside the cabinet, in a back corner, and use heat- and moisture-resistant materials if a toaster or coffee maker shares the space.

I recommend a small motion-sensor LED strip inside, so the interior lights up when the doors open. If you also want a coffee setup nearby, see this modern coffee area in the kitchen for ideas that pair well with a microwave station.

Can the microwave live in the island?

Yes, and it keeps the upper walls free for a window, art or open shelving. Recess the unit so its front sits flush with the neighboring drawer fronts. A microwave that sticks out into the aisle will catch your hip every time you pass.

A microwave drawer is easier on the back than a standard unit at low height, because it opens from above and you can see inside without squatting.

With a dog in the house, think about reach. A low open shelf puts buttons and the door handle at nose height. A drawer unit with a lock, or a shelf set deep enough that the controls are hard to bump, is the safer choice.

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What are the best renter-friendly microwave shelf ideas?

If you can't change the cabinets, work vertically. The space above a rolling cart or a butcher-block table is usually wasted, and it is one of the most useful small apartment kitchen storage ideas because it adds a work surface and a home for the microwave in the same footprint.

A wall-mounted shelf has to carry the full weight of the appliance plus the pull of the door, so check the weight on the spec sheet and choose brackets rated well above it. Anchor into studs; drywall anchors alone are not enough. If you are unsure what your wall is made of, ask a licensed professional.

Another renter trick is to take the door off one upper cabinet and treat it as open shelving for small kitchens. Line the back with peel-and-stick wallpaper and it looks planned. This is also an easy rental kitchen makeover with peel and stick wallpaper. Store the door safely so it can go back before you move out.

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Balance the visual weight too. A microwave alone on a high shelf looks heavy. Put a slightly deeper shelf under it for mugs or tea canisters, so the arrangement widens toward the bottom and feels grounded.

How do you style the shelf so it blends in?

• Match the hardware to the appliance. Stainless steel microwaves look best with brackets in a similar metal tone.
• Hide the cord. Clip it along the underside of the shelf, or drill a small grommet hole behind the unit.
• Keep the sides clear for ventilation, and style the shelves above and below instead.
• Seal wood shelves with a durable finish, since steam can mark raw or waxed wood.
• Add light if the niche is dark. A puck light or LED strip makes the display easy to read.

For more kitchen directions that work around a microwave niche, browse these small kitchen lighting ideas, or compare the look of an industrial kitchen against a modern chic kitchen before choosing shelf finishes.

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Frequently asked questions