I will let the design gurus on this forum answer your questions about whether your kitchen is too small. What I want to make sure you are aware of, if you decide to get a wall oven and wall MW, is to avoid the "combo" units. In your pic above with gray-ish cabinets, you will see it's a combo unit with one control board for both appliances. What we have seen time and time again is that one of the appliances fails, and that means the whole thing fails because one control board controls both machines. Then the whole thing needs to be replaced.

If you decide to go the wall units route, go for the set-up in your pic with the yellow cabinets, in which the machines are separate and operated separately. It will also be less expensive. The pic with the yellow cabs looks to me like a more practical inexpensive countertop MW (about $150-200 depending on features) with trim pieces to make it look built-in.

Also thumbs up for replacing the OTR MW with a hood.

One more note: in the pic with the yellow cabs, the MW is set too high. I would remove one of the bottom drawers in that stack, so the the appliances are lower (but not too low) and easier to work with.

Please give us a floor plan with all dimensions mapped out. That includes windows, doors, etc.

Is that the microwave on top? It seems very awkward so high especially with no landing space beneath it. Could you put a drawer version below an oven?

Thanks for the replies. I'm not necessarily planning to precisely mimic the example kitchen pictures in terms of their appliance selection or heights, but I provided those pictures as examples of the general concept, since their fridge and wall ovens are next to a corner, like mine would be.

Below is a hand-drawn "floor plan" with dimensions. Obviously my drawing dimensions are bad (yes, my 36" fridge is narrower in my drawing than the 32" counter space next to it. I never was very good at art), but hopefully gives a decent idea of what I'm working with in combination with the pictures in my first post.

With 32"s it's physically doable. Is you plan to keep your existing cabinetry or to do a full redesign and replacement? Just a bit concerned that doing this with your existing cabinetry style may result in a visually crowded space. You might also need to push your fridge back a bit, either into a recessed space in the back wall or going counter depth. Also, does your posted plan have the fridge pushed over to the entrance or is that it's existing location?

Graham

I agree with the others that the microwave is pretty high. We installed an oven/microwave in our new kitchen and we went a bit higher than the recommended placement and it is not ideal. It is a compromise I made to have a 15" drawer on the bottom for pans. I don't regret that decision, but I am short and it does make using the microwave a little bit harder for me.

I kind of doubt you use the current counter space as a work space now, so you probably won't miss that counter space, assuming you can find a place for the things you have there now. I prep a lot on my peninsula, and you can do that also.

The one thing that would concern me is will you have a good landing space for things when you taking things out of the oven. You will have the door open, so will it be comfortable to set things on the countertop in that scenario. Especially if the cooktop is in use.

Also, you will want to make sure that you have enough clearance for opening the oven and that it won't hit the handles. That bottom picture you posted seems too tight to me.

I'd move your fridge over to take over that 15" of empty wall space where you currently have your track can. Then you have plenty of room for the fridge and wall unit.

If you move the fridge, how much space would be between it and the end of the peninsula?

Here's another pic to add to your file. It's huango's, which I love, and post often. The appliance garage wouldn't be exactly the same, since there are no uppers on the back wall in her kitchen.

Thanks for all the replies.

Graham -- my hope was to keep most of the existing cabinetry. Obviously if we did this plan, there would be some cabinet modifications and new drawers would have to be added under the cooktop where the range currently sits, but otherwise, we would generally hope to keep the cabinets. We would definitely replace the fridge with a counter depth fridge so that it would be roughly even with the oven/MW. The floor plan I drew above does not show that there is about 15" of wall to the right of the fridge. As my first post picture shows and as somebody else noticed, that's where my trash can sits at the moment. If I moved the fridge all the way over to the edge of the wall (which would require additional cabinetry work), it would give me a bit more breathing room (but I'm not sure where I'd put my trash then).

Lisa - very good point about the landing space. I could probably make due and use either of the counter areas next to the range/cooktop, but it's a good thing to point out and I hadn't thought of it. Also good point about hitting handles.

H2O2 - I did think about moving the fridge over, and that's not a bad idea. I think it would add a fair amount to the cost (extra electrical, extra cabinet work), but it would definitely relieve space issues. One of my goals here is keeping price reasonably low, which might be possible if I don't have to do a ton of cabinet work.

mama goose - thanks for posting. That appliance garage looks pretty cool. I would never think of something like that! If fridge were moved and converted to a counter depth model, there would still be nearly 3.5' to the peninsula.

The other item is what minimum width of an oven to you need, 30", 27" or 24". For a 30" you might have to shift the fridge a few inches. 27" would likely fit the existing as would 24".

Graham

I could probably live with a 27" if I had to.

If you you have enough storage for pots and pans, you could do an induction slide in and a smaller wall oven with microwave or one of those speed ovens.

If you do a 27 in wide speed oven, you could do pots and pans drawer below.

From all the comments, it looks like this will work if I want it to.

But another question I would really value people's input on: Is it a GOOD idea? Assuming I can get everything to fit with no issues, is the wall oven/microwave something you would see in my kitchen and think "that's nice," or would you see it in my kitchen and think "oh, that kitchen should have just had a range."

My goal in doing this is for my own personal use. But I am nevertheless curious if people think that modifying my kitchen in this way is something that would improve home value, reduce home value, or be value-neutral.

As a general matter, you don't get your money back on kitchen renovations.

If your cabinet modifications are done really well, I would guess this would make no difference either way on the sale of your house--so you'd just be out the money you spend. If the cabinet modifications are noticeable (stain doesn't match up, etc), I'd guess you would decrease the value of your home.

Not knowing your local real estate market or anything else about your house, this is just uninformed speculation.

Your age and general health might also be a factor--a wall oven will be easier on your back, and easier to use as you age and can no longer lift heavy dishes from a lower range oven.

I believe most persons would see built-in appliances as being a desired upgrade. For your kitchen the challenge is whether this would be too much for the space you have. If you are serious about this I would have someone draw this up properly and render it so you can better see/understand the impact. As mentioned in my previous comments, my concern is that your existing cabinetry style could make the space appear visually over crowded. You might need to refinish your existing or do a complete change to make this work.

As far as resale value I would expect minimal effect. For me getting rid of the otr mw would be valuable but I would rather have the counter space than a wall oven. I like having out of the way counterspace to store things on rather than having stuff in my prep space.

I think your kitchen would look very crowded with an oven and microwave stack. The kitchen is small and the appliances are pretty big already. All the pictures you posted as of very big kitchens. If this were my kitchen, (I have a preference for wall ovens and microwaves),

1. I would replace the OTR with a venthood and remove the cabinet on top of it.
2. I would replace the two cabinets doors on either side of the range with glass door. You can use the existing door and add some glass or replace the doors completely.
3. Replace the hardware on the cabinets

You have a really good amount of counter top and I think some minimal changes will make the kitchen looks really fresh. I would get a range in this situation.

Good luck!

Anon Username, if it's an induction cooktop that you're hoping for, there are ranges available with induction cooktops.