After hating its location on our kitchen counters, our microwave is now in our island! I’m sharing details on the built-in shelving we added to the end of our island to make it happen!
Our kitchen island project is a wrap! There’ll be no more bumping elbows with the microwave while I’m doing dishes because our microwave is finally off the countertop and on it’s own little built-in shelf on the end of our island:
Before the remodel, our island had this kinda awkward overhang where the previous owners kept a single stool. We placed a stool there for the first several months after moving in but found that it was such a tight space that no one in our family ever chose to sit there.
Then came the idea to create a built-in shelf for the microwave in that spot because that sucker was using up all sorts of precious countertop space next to the kitchen sink. I’ll show you what we did! (post includes affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here})
First we added a simple framed box with shelving to the end of the island (and by “we” I mean my awesome contractor who took my design and brought it to life):
Then we added more beadboard on the back of the island and ran new baseboard around the entire base of the island to give it a unified look. I finished the project up by caulking and painting the “new” island and then simply added a few cookbooks and a basket for dishtowels on the bottom shelf and placed our new microwave on the top shelf. We had to buy a new, smaller microwave that fit the width of our island and and ended up with {this small but mighty microwave} that we’ve been really happy with for the short time we’ve been using it.
On the front of the island, I was going to install a faux cabinet door but then decided that might end up looking kind of goofy so I added a 12″ bar to the space instead. Even though it holds my dishtowel, it actually isn’t a towel bar – since typical towel bars all jutted out too far, I used a 12″ cabinet/appliance pull instead. Finding an inexpensive one was no small feat (long pulls are typically $100 and up) but I ended up finding {this large venetian bronze appliance pull} that had great reviews and a great price.
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So if you’re keeping track, we’ve got one kitchen project down and two to go! Project #2 is our kitchen bench seat which I still need to upholster and project #3 is finding chairs to create a little seating area at the end of our kitchen near the fireplace. I actually moved our dining room end chairs into the space over the weekend just to see how they would look and was surprised at how “at home” they look there!
But… they also look great in the dining room so I’m not sure if these babies are going to stay or go back to the spot that they came from. I do love having this little area to hang out in over a cup of coffee (and it turned out to be the perfect spot for a vase of colorful fall branches that I found on a walk over the weekend!).
I’ll see you guys back here on Thursday with an update on my modern coastal bedroom makeover. Oh, and if you want to see the progress on our fireplace (I’m soooo happy with how it’s looking!), check out my Instagram post from last night {here}!
XO,
Kim says
I have a seating area in my kitchen and love it! It’s so much better than sitting on a stool.
Vel says
It’s meant to be! Perfect!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much Vel!!
Tone on Tone Antiques says
Such clever storage! Looks really good, Kris! And it looks like it has always been there. Now that is good design. Cheers
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Loi! I’d love to just gut this whole kitchen and start from scratch with a design that I love but since that likely won’t happen anytime soon, I’m at least trying to make it look and work better for us 🙂
Angelina says
How do you like having the microwave below the counter? I have toyed with moving ours down there just because I think they are ugly to look at. Do you find it annoying to bend over for microwave stuff? Or is it no big deal, like bending over to use an oven? Your reno looks wonderful and it’s so nice to free up counter space!
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Angelina – it isn’t as convenient to get too as it was when on the countertop but honestly it isn’t that inconvenient either. After a few days we have all adjusted to it’s new spot and the trade-off for regaining that counter space is so well worth it to me!
Carol @ CAD INTERIORS says
Love it, Kris! I especially like the attention to detail when you wrapped the base molding around the entire island.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Carol! I was surprised at what a difference that made!
Garden, Home and Party says
Kris,
This looks great. I like a microwave that’s out of the way…one of those essential kitchen tools, but too bulky to sit on the counter. The chairs do look nice at the end of the kitchen, but I can see how great they’d be in your dining room as well. 🙂
xo,
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Karen!!
Darlene says
Just curious …. don’t you find it difficult to set the microwave timer at this very low placement?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Darlene – I won’t lie that setting it is easier at countertop level but I truly haven’t been bothered at all by bending down to use it (maybe it helps that I’m a bit of a shortie 🙂 My husband grumbled a little at the beginning but I think he’s adjusted to it too now. Definitely worth the trade-off for the extra counter space by the sink!
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
Kris this was such a great solution to the microwave on the counter AND that underutilized space in your island! So smart, and your kitchen is looking so pretty!!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Lisa – it’s nice to have at least this area of my kitchen no longer under construction 🙂
Karenann says
Wow! That’s truly impressive. What a great idea! It looks fantastic!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much!
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
The island looks amazing. What a great idea.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks sweet friend!
Denise says
Such a great use of space Kris! I sooo wish I could get our microwave off the counter – someday!! Love the chairs by the fireplace and the fireplace surround – oh my word – gorgeous! Can’t wait to see it all finished up! 🙂
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much! No one else in my family cared about moving the microwave but it was driving me nuts!!
leslie says
Love how it looks. I have wondered how practical such a low microwave is to use. Is it awkward?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Leslie – I definitely had that concern too. We’ve only been using it for a few days but so far it hasn’t been an issue. We didn’t have any counter space right next to our old microwave so it’s actually nice to have the space to set your plate right above it.
Kim says
What a great idea and it looks so much better. Love that sitting area. I’m sure you will find the perfect chairs if you move those back to the dining room.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Kim! I sure hope so – I’ve already been looking for such a long time!
Nancy Borchelt says
How do you figure out if that microwave space has enough ventilation?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Nancy – I looked into that and didn’t find any standard recommendations so just ended up making sure that I have over an inch of space on the sides, top, and back. Time will tell if that’s good enough but the microwave doesn’t seem to generate much heat so I’m hoping it won’t be an issue.
Anne Marie Gump says
Hi! Looking to do the same with our microwave. Now that you’ve lived with it for awhile, does that seem to be enough space?
Carly says
Love the microwave nook and shelves you added! Silly question but when you did the beautiful leaves in the base do you add water or do you leave them dry? Love your posts from a fellow CT gal ????
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Carly! Yes, I add water to the vase just like I wood flowers. Sometimes they drop their leaves in just a day or two but other times they’ll last for about a week. The leaves are really starting to be beautiful in CT aren’t they?!
cassie @ primitive & proper says
that is such a great idea! i love how hidden the microwave is like that!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Cassie!