Need design advice: microwave in 28x40 upper corner space
In my small kitchen remodel, I do not want a microwave above my range and plan for a stainless, vented hood. My issue is finding a place for a small microwave (18-20 inches wide x 11.5/12 inches deep). I thought I had solved the problem by asking the designer to place it in an open shelf within a diagonal corner cabinet especially since I find the space in my current corner cab "frustrating"...I did not mind giving up the space!
The almost final plan has a corner cabinet 28" long x 12" deep. I have mocked this out on tag board; it is very large and will stick out 3 inches more over a right angled lower counter than my current 24" version. I nixed the idea of a corner appliance garage because I wanted useable counter space so I have issues about losing work space because of the corner cabinet's size. I am afraid a cabinet this size will also visually dominate. If I veto the larger corner cabinet, I need to find a place for a small microwave.
On one corner wall I am limited to 28" because of a window; on the other wall...there is 28" available, a 12" cabinet, a 30 " range, a 12 " cabinet, and a refrigerator. The designer will hate messing with the symmetry of those stove framing 12 inch cabinets but I see no other choice. I like the look of right-angled corners but agreed to the diagonal for symmetry. While I can "deal" with a blind upper corner, my husband HATES them and the easy door design because of scratching potential...definitely limits my options!
Has anyone ever cut down a corner cabinet to something like 18" or 16" wide x12" deep? This would leave space for a 24-22" cupboard available on the stove/ref. wall for the microwave. My idea was to use the corner space with an obviously small door for something like cookie sheet storage which would free up a lower 12" cabinet in my small island. The center of this size cabinet is deep enough to fit my cookie sheets but would this be functional?
Because my husband thinks this is the "stupidest" idea he has ever heard and maintains that I should just get over the 28" corner cabinet issue, any other ideas and input would be greatly appreciated. Is the loss of a 3" depth of workable corner counter space no big deal in a small kitchen with a small island?
P.S.: I have "lurked" here all summer reading and have learned a great deal from everyone's willingness to share their designs and give advice. I am sooo frustrated right now! This kitchen plan has been nothing but "What is the least worst option" and just when I thought all "issues" had been solved...
Corner cabinet looks huge on my tag-board mock up...cabinet is 28 inches deep from front to the back corner. Will a corner cabinet this size all the way to the ceiling over-power the space visually? As you can see, I have only two spaces larger than 12 inches other than the corner (The area next to the sink has a trash/recycle pullout) so I am very reluctant to give them up: the upper cabinet next to the sink and two 30 inch pullouts in the island where my pans will go. The lower corner cabinet is a bank of three fairly narrow drawers which I am excited about since it will eliminate a lazy-susan with an easy access door that constantly gets banged into the stove handles and the face frame of the corner cab. This is why my husband is against the same kind of doors in a 90 degree upper blind corner cabinet...sigh!
This post was edited by Ranton on Wed, Aug 28, 13 at 23:21
Comments (12)
palimpsest
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoHonestly when I was faced by this issue in my super small kitchen, I decided the best solution was to put it on the counter in the corner and have an outlet that would be covered by it. The depth of the corner is not space that we ever used much because of reach, and if we were in serious need of extra counter (SO is pastry chef) we move it easily. That was a GE Spacemaker, 24" wide.
sena01
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoCan't you place the MW in the 28" long 12" deep corner cab? If my math is correct
28-12=16,
16x16=256,
256+256= 512 and square root of 512= 22.62", i.e. enough opening for a MW with a width of 20".You'll loose some storage place around the MW but if you can have doors to that corner cab from the window side you may regain some of it back (another stupid idea for your husband-:))
Here is a link that might be useful: [Houzz link[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/conard-romano-architects-traditional-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~71957)
Related Discussions
please give advice on upper corner cabinets
Comments (22)Babka...how about adding your kitchen to the Finished Kitchens Blog? Lyno (and everyone else)...the best advice we can give you for your kitchen is to take your time in the design phase. Don't let anyone rush you (especially your KD or GC). This is where you have the greatest impact on the final product. The layout is probably the #1 item...a bad layout can sink a kitchen even if it has great cabinets, appliances, etc. A great layout can make up for less than ideal cabinets, etc. Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Adding Your Kitchen to the FKB...See MoreNewbies need advice and opinion on kitchen design and appliances
Comments (42)I need to warn you. I'm not one of the talented design gurus here, just an interested amateur. I think Lisa was working with the wrong dimensions, correct? I wrote them on the diagram. Please let me know if they're correct. If so, cpartist is right. You don't have room for an island. I left off your peninsula only because you never answered the question Lisa asked: If a peninsula is put in the location in your original plan, will you have at least 60" from the edge of the peninsula to the edge of your dining table? That is the minimum needed to have seating at both and still have room to walk if people are seated at both locations. Anyway, the best I could do is this: First, let me know if the dimensions are accurate. I didn't bother to draw uppers in on the fridge wall. The blue line will be about 117" fro the end of the counter to the edge of the kitchen. The yellow line measure will be about 86" from north counter edge to south counter edge and about 81" across where the fridge is (unless you get a true counter-depth/built-in). A lot of people do something a bit different in kitchens like yours that adds counter space and storage. They go with 30" deep counters. This adds a lot more counter space and, if you get custom cabinets, also a lot more storage with the deeper drawers. It will allow you to make a regular fridge look more built-in as the counter-depth will come out to the fridge door (you do need to allow for door swing). It also gives more space behind the range for less grease splatter on the backsplash and behind the sink for cleaning items (or pretties). If you do that, the north/south green line would be 74" and the east/west will be 105". Without an island or other blockage, there is plenty of room to walk from fridge to sink so crossing over the cook's area isn't a problem. It's not the most creative layout but it is a functional one. I know your wife wants some glass uppers. I wouldn't recommend them right next to the range and hood due to potential grease collection in that proximity, harder to keep clean. Also, keep in mind, your hood should be larger than your cooktop. I think you're going for a 36" cooktop? If so, you need a 42" hood. With a 30" cooktop, you need a 36" hood. If you go with the wider hood and have a couple inches clearance on each side before the upper cabinets start, then glass doors there should work fine. Hope this helps a bit. Have you read the "New to Kitchens? Read Me First" thread? If not, please do. It kinda bounces around from pages 1-3....See MoreDesign help needed! U-shaped kitchen - what to do with uppers?
Comments (1)I think you can do your plan if you know yourself well - sounds like it as you have had open shelving before. Your present kitchen has a bit more storage then mine, so I can see living without some of it. I do use a pie-safe as a pantry. I personally am glad to have limited space because it keeps me from collecting clutter and dishes / bowls I never use. If you live the same way then your plan should work. The area around the stove will tend to be greasier and need more cleaning then around the sink, so my feeling is I would put shelving on both sides of the window. I did that concept in my basement kitchenette and only use the bottom shelves for dishes and the upper for a few decor or not frequently used items so that only the lower shelves need to be kept supper clean. Another thought is to use some cabinets with glass doors....See MorePlanning kitchen remodel – need design advice please!
Comments (14)damiarain and mama goose - thank you for those bold and beautiful layouts! You've found a graceful solution to a lot of my wishes. I'm on the fence about windows to the fridge/stove side of the house, because it faces our driveway and the neighbor's (not so attractive) yard and house. But the natural light would be wonderful! Great food for thought, thank you again. I'll have to check the space to see if there's room for dining table in kitchen. What's that great layout software you're using? rantontoo - We don't absolutely need two spaces to eat, and I had thought about shifting that door as you describe -- it would be between kitchen and DR. That way the traffic lane wouldn't go through the kitchen. I just couldn't figure out a good way to do that. Unfinished crawl space is underneath the whole main level where kitchen, etc. are....See MoreUser
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agopalimpsest
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agorantontoo
10 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
Holly- Kay
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agofourten1j
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agorantontoo
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agofourten1j
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoHey Ranton, this is actually what my original plan was; a flip-up and slide-in door revealing a 21" microwave inside.
I've since made some changes and wanted the space to be ready for a Wolf microwave drawer (24" width), so now there won't be a door and the cabinetmaker is making a cut-out for my microwave to sit in (the microwave will look built-in).
This post was edited by FoxCrane on Wed, Aug 28, 13 at 22:04
rantontoo
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agofourten1j
10 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
annkh_nd