Maximizing Kitchen Space: Our DIY Journey to a Built-In Microwave Cabinet

Kitchen renovations are full of twists and turns, often requiring a nimble approach and a willingness to adapt. Remember that fantastic deal we snagged on a new microwave just a couple of months ago? The one we were so excited about? Well, we ended up returning it. This decision marked a pivotal moment in our kitchen redesign, leading us down a path of creative problem-solving and ultimately, a custom built-in solution that perfectly suits our needs and aesthetic vision.

The Unexpected Return: Why Our Big Microwave Didn’t Fit In

When we initially shared our excitement about the new, larger microwave, some of you wisely questioned its size. “Do you really need such a big microwave?” you asked. Your feedback, combined with our own evolving perspective on kitchen functionality, truly got us thinking. We realized that our actual microwaving habits are quite modest: a quick bowl of soup here, a bit of reheating or defrosting there. It’s certainly not an appliance we use constantly throughout the day.

This introspection became even more pronounced after we removed the kitchen’s original black over-the-range microwave. That old unit was a whopping 30 inches wide – the same width as our oven. Once it was gone, the kitchen immediately felt more open and airy. This newfound sense of space truly highlighted just how much a bulky appliance could dominate the visual landscape. We then envisioned how the new 30-inch microwave, despite its great price, would look in its intended spot next to our pantry. Our initial plan was to build it in, similar to the setup in our very first kitchen. However, placing such a large appliance there meant it would awkwardly butt up against the side of the nearby window, creating a cramped and unbalanced look.

The experience of living with the kitchen feeling so much nicer and open, free from heavy, overbearing upper cabinets, solidified our decision. Just two weeks after acquiring it, we returned the oversized microwave. We were determined to find a solution that not only served our practical needs but also enhanced the kitchen’s aesthetic. Our goal was a more streamlined, less cluttered appearance.

A Modestly Sized Marvel: Introducing Our New Countertop Microwave

Our quest for a better fit led us to a much smaller, more compact countertop microwave. This little guy, measuring just 18 inches wide, came with a much more agreeable price tag of $84. As Sherry affectionately describes it, it’s “modestly sized,” a perfect descriptor for its unassuming yet highly functional presence. To give you a better sense of its scale, imagine a standard tea mug sitting comfortably inside – it truly highlights how unobtrusive this appliance is. This purchase was a conscious step towards a more minimalist and organized kitchen, where every item has its place and doesn’t overwhelm the space.

But just like its larger predecessor, this smaller microwave wasn’t destined to live permanently on the countertop. Oh no, we had much grander plans! This little marvel was slated for a custom built-in solution, ensuring it remained hidden when not in use, preserving the clean lines of our renovated kitchen.

The Blueprint: Transforming an Old Cabinet into a Custom Microwave Nook

The heart of our built-in microwave plan revolved around repurposing an existing cabinet. We chose one of our old upper cabinets, which previously hung to the left of our original over-the-range microwave. Fortuitously, this cabinet happened to be almost the perfect width for our new, smaller microwave. It’s actually a bit snug around the frame, but the frame is built around the front edge of the cabinet. This design quirk means that on the inside of the cabinet, there’s about two inches of extra space on either side of the appliance, which would prove useful for both fit and ventilation.

However, turning this old cabinet into a functional built-in microwave nook presented two significant challenges:

1. The cabinet itself was too tall for its intended new home next to our pantry. If installed as-is, it would hang awkwardly low, disrupting the visual flow of the cabinetry.
2. It wasn’t deep enough for the microwave to sit flush within it, while also allowing for critical ventilation room, an absolute necessity for safety and appliance longevity.

Clearly, we had some serious work ahead of us. Our project involved adjusting both the height and depth of the cabinet, then securely hanging it next to the pantry with a new, custom-made door. This ingenious design would allow our infrequently used microwave to be neatly tucked away most of the time. When it’s needed, we simply open the door, zap our food, and ensure the appliance has ample room to vent properly – a detail we paid close attention to throughout the entire process. Furthermore, we had already thought ahead, asking our electrician to install an outlet where the cabinet would hang, ensuring power was readily available for our new built-in appliance.

We drew inspiration from many custom kitchens that feature seamlessly integrated microwaves, such as the elegant designs seen here and the clever solutions showcased here. These examples proved that a built-in microwave could be both incredibly stylish and highly functional. A crucial step in this planning phase was consulting the owner’s manual for our new microwave. It’s vital to understand the specific ventilation requirements of your appliance. Some microwaves only require the ready-made space provided by their small legs, while others have dedicated vents on the side or back that demand specific aeration room. This consideration was paramount as we moved forward with our modifications, ensuring both safety and optimal performance.

The DIY Process: Cutting, Modifying, and Reinforcing Our Custom Cabinet

With our plan in place, we tackled the first major hurdle: reducing the cabinet’s height. My first step was to carefully pry out the metal shelf rails. Fortunately, these came out with surprising ease, laying the groundwork for the more intricate cuts to follow.

Precision was key at this stage. I meticulously measured, marked, and measured again. I used a level to ensure my lines were perfectly straight, double-checked my marks, and leveled one last time before making any cuts. This obsessive attention to detail helps prevent costly mistakes in DIY projects.

Armed with my jigsaw, I carefully followed the lines I had drawn on each of the three sides of the cabinet. The resulting cut was clean, though for a moment, the separated sections made it look almost like a bad magic act, leaving me with a sense of nervous excitement. This wasn’t my first rodeo with cabinet modification; I had tested this method on another spare cabinet we weren’t planning to reuse, which gave me a much-needed boost of confidence.

Achieving the correct height was a major step, but our ventilation and depth plan required further modification. Next, I cut a strategic hole in the back of the cabinet. This opening would facilitate airflow, crucial for the microwave’s safe operation. Additionally, I made a slight notch in the bottom right side of the cabinet frame. This seemingly minor adjustment was designed to allow the microwave door to swing open more freely. By being able to shimmy the microwave slightly to the right within the cabinet, the hinges on the left gain more room, ensuring the door opens without obstruction. Don’t worry about its appearance; this notch would later be completely concealed by the new cabinet door.

Looking at the cabinet from the rear, you can see how the microwave slightly protrudes. This deliberate design choice is integral to our ventilation strategy. Behind the cabinet, there will be a continuous column of “free space” allowing for aeration all the way up and out the top of the cabinet, ensuring heat doesn’t build up.

Enough with the technical backside! Let’s consider the front. With the various cuts and modifications, the cabinet was beginning to take shape. The small notched area for the microwave, though currently visible, will be entirely hidden once the custom door is installed. We then added a fixed shelf above the microwave. This was achieved by securely nailing in some ledges, upon which the pre-existing shelf could sit perfectly.

Building Support and Finishing Touches

Despite the progress, the cabinet was still far from ready for installation. It needed a new top and, crucially, additional support at the back. This extra support was essential to ensure it would sit away from the wall enough to allow the microwave to vent properly from the rear.

We devised a precise plan, and though my sketch might have been indecipherable to anyone else, it clearly guided my trip to the hardware store for the necessary wood. The new top assembly consisted of three key pieces: a thin sheet of plywood to form the new top surface, a thin piece of pine for the front edge, and a scrap piece of 2×4 to hold everything firmly in place. While it looked a bit rough during construction, the structural integrity was paramount.

Along the back of the cabinet, I screwed in several doubled-up blocks of 1×4-inch lumber. This ingenious solution serves a dual purpose: it creates the necessary two-inch gap between the cabinet and the wall, and it provides solid wood to screw into when we hang the cabinet. Furthermore, we cut a wide channel into a couple of these blocks – yes, you guessed it – to further assist with the microwave’s upward ventilation along the back.

The final structural addition was the side panel. For this, I used another thin piece of plywood, clamped it tightly, cut it precisely to size, and then nailed it securely into place. After all these “fun” modifications, the cabinet began to resemble a cohesive, functional unit, ready for its final transformation with paint and hardware.

Installation and Vision: The Built-In Microwave Takes Its Place

With the modified cabinet complete, it was time for installation. With the invaluable help of my lovely assistant (not the one I humorously pretended to saw in half earlier!), we carefully hung this “Frankenstein’d” cabinet in its designated spot next to the pantry. The secure mounting was a moment of triumph in our DIY journey.

A peek at the top of the installed cabinet reveals the comprehensive ventilation system we designed. You can see the intentional gaps along both the back and the side. I drilled additional holes in the left side of the cabinet, strategically taking advantage of the slight gap between it and the pantry (a gap that exists due to the slightly wider cabinet frame on that particular side). This multi-faceted approach ensures maximum airflow and heat dissipation.

Once the cabinet was securely hung, we carefully slid the microwave into place and plugged it into the dedicated outlet our electrician had installed about a month prior (you can read more about that here). The sight of the appliance nestled perfectly within its new home was incredibly satisfying.

Of course, the final aesthetic will truly shine once the custom door is added and everything is painted to match the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. However, even at this stage, with the addition of a few cookbooks and decorative plates, the area immediately started to look more presentable, signaling the near completion of this complex project.

Update: Regarding the small routed-out area that will only be visible when the door is open, we firmly adhere to the “what happens in the cabinets, stays in the cabinets” philosophy. Many of our cabinets, when open, are less than picture-perfect, often stacked high with cookware, blenders, Tupperware, and all sorts of other household necessities! For us, if the doors are closed and the kitchen looks good, we are happy campers.

This success has only fueled our excitement to tackle the door situation, which we hope to share details about later this week. In the meantime, imagine this (and forgive our terrible Photoshopped rendering!): the addition of a sleek door will flawlessly conceal the routed-out area and the microwave itself when closed. Naturally, the door will be open whenever the microwave is in use, allowing for easy access and proper ventilation.

With this newly hung cabinet next to the pantry, we now have a perfectly balanced 14 inches of space to its right, between the cabinet side and the window over the sink. Furthermore, once our new 12-inch deep floating shelves are installed on the oven wall, there will also be precisely 14 inches between the front of those shelves and the right side of the window over the sink. This careful planning ensures the kitchen will not feel crowded; instead, it will boast a harmonious and balanced design. What a relief!

Budget Boost & Future Steps: Our Kitchen Renovation Continues

Completing this intricate cut-down microwave cabinet project has brought not only aesthetic satisfaction but also a welcome boost to our shrinking renovation budget. The decision to return the jumbo microwave netted us $255. We also successfully sold our old over-the-range microwave on Craigslist for $90, bringing our total savings and earnings to a respectable $345, which went straight back into the kitchen piggy bank. But the financial wins didn’t stop there! We also sold our old kitchen table and chairs for $120 via Craigslist and even managed to sell our old granite counters for a fantastic $350! If my calculations are correct, that’s an impressive $815 back in our pockets. After deducting the $84 cost of the new microwave, we’re still looking at a healthy $731. Over seven hundred dollars is an incredibly welcome “kitchen refund” as we navigate the challenging “middle part” of our makeover. These funds bring us closer to realizing some of the bigger, more exciting changes that we are slowly but surely inching towards.

No one is more eager to see those cabinets painted and the new backsplash installed than we are. However, we’re committed to being realistic about our timeline. We originally estimated completion sometime in January, a goal we still fervently hope to achieve. While we’re unsure how much more progress we’ll make before the holidays, our top priority is to have our microwave seamlessly concealed by the time company arrives. (Funny, I initially typed “by the time cabinets arrive” – clearly, I’ve been spending too much time immersed in kitchen plans!). For those curious about our immediate next steps, they’re a little less glamorous for a bit longer, but will soon lead to much more exciting transformations:

• Cutting down all the doors for the cabinets we’ve added, ensuring a perfect fit.
• Adding window trim and building a new window sill, as we had to strip the window over the sink down here.
• Installing toe kick around all the cabinet bases to create a unified look, especially for elements like the peninsula, connecting it seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen. (We’ll hold off on adding shoe molding until after we install the cork floors later).
• Removing all the cabinet doors (after ensuring they hang straight and are fitted correctly), followed by wood putty application and sanding any gaps, cracks, or old hardware holes.
• Thoroughly priming everything, preparing the surfaces for paint.
• And then, finally, we get to paint – yeee haw! We’re still deliberating between a classic white and a soft tone like gray-beige, but we promise to share our decision as soon as we’re sure!

Even contemplating the list of steps beyond that makes us a bit overwhelmed, but a comprehensive new lighting plan, the installation of beautiful cork floors, and stylish backsplash tile, complete with floating shelves and a built-in range hood, are all firmly on the agenda. It’s truly one cabinet day at a time, moving steadily towards our dream kitchen. We’d love to hear from you: What have you been busy with in your kitchen lately? Demo? Holiday cooking preparations? Painting projects? Or perhaps, like us, perfecting your microwaving setup?