Wow...this is all so helpful! Ok, so yes, we do have a disposal and now that I'm thinking of the way I prep: i tend to prep next to the sink even though I have more countertop next to the range. The other times I use the trash is whenI'm washing dishes so I'm thinking I should keep it next to the sink. And now that I know more of you have a utensil drawer right under, I'm feeling good about it. The dishwasher moving is interesting....but I'm thinking I'd rather break up the stainless and maybe it's better if my 2 and 4 year old didn't have good access to the trash as they tend to start playing with the pedal, making it talk, etc. So microwave is interesting. I feel like I'd rather just put it in a cabinet so it's not customized at all for the micro. That way if we need to change it in a few years, I'm not worried about the size. Now, my only concern is will I hate bending down? My reasoning was that its higher than the oven racks So how bad can it be? Plus, we are not a tall family...but I'm curious about how people who have lower microwaves feel... Brooklyn - love your kitchen. It's what we want in different colors! Can you show me a wide pic of the other side and share anything else you love/not love about the setup/sizing/etc? Is that caesarstone? We're getting raven caesarstone and it has the same texture.... Thanks!!!

I'm surprised by this as well. A big stack of plates is heavier than a modern microwave. Do their specs give maximum loads for the width of the cabinet? If you have to push the matter, you could weigh your microwave (or go to a new smaller one, they really weigh almost nothing and cost so little in the grand scheme of things) and demonstrate that it is within the limits. Assuming weight is the issue. I'm really curious. If you still hit a wall but feel confident about proceeding anyhow, can you ask if they can do it if you sign off on accepting the risk? Or just order that an open shelf with trim (or whatever) of the appropriate size be built in but not indicate on any paperwork that it's for a microwave?

The design of that wall is not ideal. I agree with Samoore that I would put the microwave in between the ovens and lower it significantly. I am not sure where the fridge is but that is where the microwave should be close to. Desks in kitchens were never really functional and were just clutter zones. How you use the kitchen is important, without the remainder of the kitchen design, we are just prociding fractured feedback. You can post your layout in the Kitchen forum for some really good feedback while you are still on paper and have not ordered cabinets Good luck!

I am the OP. We visited an appliance store the other day that had real kitchen scenarios set up with working appliances. The microwave drawer was full of spatters, and I certainly wouldn't want to try to get down on the floor to reach in to clean it out. So, I've eliminated that idea. I think (not 100% certain though) that for us it is going to be either the GE spacemaker that hangs from an upper cabinet or a shelf like Darbuka has that is installed at the bottom of an upper cabinet. Darbuka--Qjuick soapstone question for you: Is this what your soapstone still looks like or has it darkened considerable over time? I love soapstone and have some elsewhere but as just too worried that it is so dark. Your looks much lighter and is lovely.