It is difficult to imagine our life without household appliances. Cleaning, washing, cooking are inextricably linked with electrical assistants, and a microwave in the kitchen is an important component, without which it is difficult to imagine a quick and convenient heating of food. But often the question arises, where is the best place to put the device.
Microwave in the kitchen: where to put and how to integrate
Content
A microwave is a common feature in the kitchen. But sometimes even such an ordinary element is difficult to arrange conveniently and safely. In fact, the problem is easily solved. The main thing is to determine for yourself in advance: the microwave oven will be installed separately or in combination with a kitchen set.
Basic rules for installing the device
Adhering to the basic rules for installing a microwave in the kitchen, it will not be difficult to place the device so that it is practical and convenient. So what do you need to remember?
It is important during the installation of the equipment to evaluate how freely it opens. Nothing should interfere with her door. It is important that all kinds of interference and obstacles are not in the immediate vicinity.
It’s best to place the microwave on a stable, reliable, hard metal surface. The support for the equipment should not bend under its weight.
Regardless of the particular arrangement of the appliance, it is important to leave a small distance between it and the furniture, as well as other household appliances. A gap of 10 cm is made on the sides, at least 15 from the back wall. This will allow air to circulate freely between them. Thanks to this condition, the microwave oven will last a long time and will not break.
Free-standing microwave options
If the choice is made in favor of the standard model of the microwave oven, which is supposed to be placed separately, several options should be considered. Each of them has its own characteristics.
Island for appliances: place in the center of the kitchen
One of the options for separate placement of a microwave in the kitchen is the choice of a special island for household appliances. As such a platform, an individual table, a curbstone or a bar counter can act. The first option is not a very good solution, since the device is bulky and will not look very aesthetically pleasing. This also applies to cabinets. The exception is a spacious kitchen. In this case, the cabinet should be made in the same style with the dining table.
Preferred bar counter.But there is a condition: the island must be spacious and large. It is necessary to make sure that the back of the microwave remains closed. It will be ugly if in the center of the kitchen for all to see there will be a ventilation grill and a bunch of wires.
Countertop Installation
The simplest and most obvious option is to install a microwave on the countertop. Why is this solution attractive? The benefits are diverse:
- ease of use and care;
- the stove is at hand;
- the case is open, which allows you to troubleshoot and repair if necessary.
The device can always be moved to another location. Nearby is the working surface of the table, which allows you to set the dish before cooking or heating. Also, after heat treatment, it can immediately be sent to the countertop.
The only drawback of this installation method is if the kitchen is cramped and the countertop is narrow. Then the device will “eat” a lot of free and useful space.
Highlighting shelf space or hanging with brackets
Choosing a convenient location for a microwave in the kitchen is quite simple if the upper space in the room is unloaded. A good solution is to use a shelf. It should be in the working area. But basic safety rules cannot be ignored. Forbidden:
- hang the structure on drywall;
- close ventilation ducts;
- set shelves too low above the stove.
You can hang the structure on a concrete or brick wall. If it will be aligned with drywall, then you need to use long dowels.
Additional Information. It is recommended to use shelves in 2 tiers, which will free up even more space in the kitchen. Such an idea is a must have for cramped rooms.
An equally convenient solution is installation on brackets. In this format, the design looks complete and concise. The bracket is securely fixed to brick and concrete. The support beam gives it additional reliability.
The appliance mounted above the oven will look stylish. Especially if the technique is the same width and is made in the general style.
Window sill placement
If it’s difficult to figure out where to put the microwave in a small kitchen, you can place it on the windowsill. This solution is quite popular and widespread, as it combines:
- convenience;
- availability;
- simplicity.
When choosing this installation option, you must carefully approach the precautions.
What is recommended to consider? The need to constantly remove the device in the cold season. The fact is that the thermal radiation emanating from it can adversely affect the integrity and strength of window glass.
The second important point is the parameters of the windowsill. Choosing this option for installing equipment, you need to calculate in advance whether it fits into place normally. That is, the width of the window sill should clearly correspond to the size of the device. It is not fixed against the glass. Leave a few centimeters to circulate the air around the microwave. From the edge of the window sill save at least 20 cm when installing the device.
Important! You may have to abandon the flowers on the kitchen window, as the microwave creates conditions in which the plants are unlikely to survive.
Do not forget that the device itself with this arrangement is exposed to negative influences from the outside. In winter, the microwave oven is constantly supercooled, and in the summer it is negatively affected by direct sunlight. If such a place is chosen, then it is optimally suited for rooms whose windows open onto a closed loggia or insulated balcony, rather than onto the street.
Microwave refrigerator
In some cases, the microwave oven is placed on the refrigerator. It should be noted right away: this is not a good idea to install a household appliance. If you follow the safety rules, then combining equipment in this way is prohibited. By the way, such a combination in practice will also be inconvenient.
Why is it not recommended to install a microwave on a refrigerator? The fact is that the refrigerator vibrates during operation. The strength of the oscillation depends on various factors, including the model of the device and its location. Vibration creates a movement that affects everything that is placed on the refrigerator. Constant fluctuations can lead to the fall of the microwave or its failure.
As for convenience, the placement of the device at a height for most users is not too comfortable. Indeed, many modern models of refrigerators resemble high pencil cases. Accordingly, to use the microwave, each time you have to substitute a chair or stretch.
If it is not possible to install the device anywhere else, except for the surface of the refrigerator, then a low refrigerator will be the best solution. Or you can nail a small shelf above it, onto which the equipment will stand. But again, do not forget about convenient and easy access. In this case, it can hardly be achieved!
Embedding the microwave in the kitchen
The built-in microwave looks good in the kitchen set, and this option is suitable for rooms of any type and size. Including such an idea of accommodation is an excellent solution in Khrushchev. The advantages of the format are obvious:
- aesthetic appeal;
- practicality;
- unity of composition;
- the ability to choose the optimal height for installing a microwave oven at the design stage of the headset.
There is only one minus, and not everyone is faced with it. Sometimes the countertop is located far enough from the technique, which is not too convenient.
But how to integrate the microwave into the kitchen correctly? In order to make furniture and appliances look organic in interior design, it is optimal to allocate space for the appliance at the design stage. This will allow you to get a stylish and ergonomic kitchen set, which fits perfectly into the microwave oven.
For a kitchen with a built-in microwave, it is recommended to determine the model of the appliance in advance. Modern devices can vary significantly in size and other characteristics, but this must be taken into account at the planning stage of the headset.
Countertop microwave
Depending on the given interior style in the kitchen, a difficult task is sometimes put forward - you need to hide the microwave. This is required by many design areas:
- minimalism;
- Provence
- eco;
- country;
- baroque etc.
The fact is that the device does not fit into the given style and destroys the concept. The question arises, where can I put a microwave in the kitchen in this case. The best solution is under the countertop. It is easy to do it yourself. It is enough to remove one of the lower drawers in the headset. Then a niche will appear under the countertop into which you can insert the equipment. She will not be evident, and the space will not look cluttered.
Note! When designing a rustic kitchen, the microwave under the countertop can be covered with a small curtain that fits in a given direction.
But we must not forget about the disadvantages of such a decision. To warm up the dish, you have to bend down constantly. Also, it is better to refuse a similar idea for security purposes, if the house has small children.
Corner Mounting
When the kitchen is spacious, where to put a microwave - a question that does not cause problems. But here it is important to consider the features of the layout. The device will only enter deep into the corners. Using it is simple and comfortable, as the equipment is facing the facade of the kitchen. In this case, the entire body completely goes into the depth of the corner.
Drawer microwave
For a small kitchen, it’s hard to come up with a more practical solution than a microwave drawer. This know-how makes the interior more stylish and light, as the bulky device is not striking.
A drawer allows you to place the device in the lower parts of the kitchen.
We place in a special wall niche
What other option can you come up with? A practical solution is to install the device in a special niche. Typically, this is selected in the closet. This option is convenient in that the equipment can be built without problems at the optimum height. But this method of accommodation is suitable only for those families that rarely use the microwave oven. It is not very convenient to constantly open and close the cabinet doors when using the device.
That is why it is preferable to place the device in a special wall niche. But you should think about this method before starting repairs in the room. A niche can be made from drywall or other materials.
Where not to place a microwave
When placing a microwave in the kitchen, you should observe the "rule of half a meter." That is, you can not install the equipment at a distance of less than 50 cm from the gas stove and sink. A bad neighbor for a microwave oven is a TV. The warm-up technique will remain intact, but interference may occur on the screen.
One of the rules is to refuse to install the device too close to the floor surface. This will make the use of technology uncomfortable. The optimal distance varies from 0.6 to 1.5 m.
But to put a very high microwave device is not recommended. It is better to abandon the venture to place it:
- on the cupboard;
- on the refrigerator;
- under the ceiling;
- shelves installed above 1.5 m from floor level.
This is not only inconvenient, but can also lead to household injuries. High installation often leads to burns.
It is recommended that you choose a height that is comfortable and safe for each family member. It’s good if there is a worktop next to which you can immediately put warmed food.
It is also recommended that you do not install a microwave near the oven and heating devices. Undesirable neighborhood with a refrigerator. It is forbidden to install other (even small) household appliances on the microwave oven, including coffee makers, toasters, electric kettles, and blenders.
As you can see, there are different options for installing equipment. Choosing the best method for your conditions is not difficult. To place a practical and convenient microwave in the interior of the kitchen will help photos, which present a lot of real ideas.
VIDEO: Where to place a microwave in the kitchen.