It sounds like the shop put the MW smack dab in the middle of your prep zone, and it is going to be reallly annoying when you are cooking a meal and somebody barges through to make tea or whatever.

I have a similar layout and am putting my MW where you originally had it, between fridge and range. I would be inclined to try to keep a 36" or at least a 30" because it is nice to pull one drawer and see/access so much at once. In my current kitchen I have all my silverware and most prep utensils in a 36" drawer and like it a lot. The rest of the cab is doors and holds my pots/pans and it is overflowing. I didn't think I had too many but you are making me reconsider :)

Can you scoot the range down at all to allow for maybe a 12" and the MW 24" next to the range, then have a 30" to the right? If your pantry is cabinetry maybe you could it there, if your landing space is

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I can't move the range, as there are windows (already in) on that wall that prevent that option.

It's a little difficult to envision without a sketch/diagram...if you can post one, showing windows and doors, it would help. Am I right in assuming that the range is located between two windows and you can't scootch in either direction? I think you instinct is right to keep it between fridge wall and range, keeping a long prep zone free between the sink and range. If you can move the range in one direction or another, you could fit in a larger drawer for storage AND the microwave on the range wall. If not, and I would choose depending on how many folks are likely to want access to the microwave while you're cooking. If you've got a family...give the microwave the convenient spot. And put the pots in the smaller drawers or around the corner.

If none of the following options are acceptable to you, my answer to your original question is to keep it to the left of the range and forgo the bigger drawer. It would drive me batty to have the MW between range and sink and so far from fridge. If you have any leeway...

A layout diagram would definitely help. What is the purpose of the 48" to the left of the range, just landing space for the range any fridge/freezer/pantry? Are you married to the drawer idea, or is that just because of kids or to keep it off the counter/out of sight?

Are you open to putting it in the pantry, cabinetry or walk-in (walk-in pantries are a great place to hide the ugly MW that you say you never use)?

Are you open to putting it on the countertop? Do you have any upper cabinets a MW could go in? If the reason for the drawer is for kids, you could build an upper with a MW shelf but put books in it and keep a countertop MW on the counter until the kids are grown.

melissastar - you are right that there are windows on both sides of the range. I will try to post a diagram soon (need dh's help - I'm actually david_in_mn's wife. :)

tracie.erin - the purpose of the 48" is landing space, but also extra work space. We have six children who love to help in the kitchen and I don't want to be stuck to a corner, but have several counter spaces for various people to be prepping different things. This is why I liked the microwave drawer idea - - to free up counter space. Also, I really like the idea of easy access for our kids. I've not thought of the pantry because then I wouldn't have an easy place to set a lid or spoon from what's cooking in the microwave. I'm open to an upper cabinet, but with the windows, I am already limited in upper cabinet space, where I'm planning to put spices, oils, etc.

Thanks for the ideas; it helps to brainstorm things that I haven't thought through. I really need to post some diagrams to help the discussion, so I'll hopefully do that soon.

Here's the kitchen floorplan

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East (left) wall shows range centered between windows and 36" drawers to the left of the range. I originally had the 24" wide microwave drawer to the left of the range.

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South (top) wall shows microwave drawer location as proposed by cabinet maker to allow for 36" drawer to left of range.

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North (bottom) wall is not really part of this discussion but included for completeness.

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