Seems like the faucet is too high for the micro to be the level you want. Could you get a lower faucet and then move the whole cabinet lower, too? Or maybe just the shelf? OTR micros are more expensive than countertop ones, probably because of the fan. It doesn't seem necessary for you to spend that extra money just to get the lighting -- you could put some kind of light under the shelf for probably a lot less.

I think this should be posted on Appliances and you should get more responses.

Hollysprings, if molding is being run beneath the mw, then you are saying run the electrical into the back of the cabinet above, and then into an adjacent cabinet, is this correct? Aesthetically, this may be the preferred method. However, I would think from a mw replacement standpoint it would be better to run the electrical thru the 3" bracing between the mw and the cabinet above, and then into an adjacent cabinet. This would eliminate the need to unintall and reinstall molding below a mw every time a mw is replaced. Is there anything wrong with this logic? Electrical can always be run into the above cabinet if a taller mw is purchased later. Is there anything wrong with this logic? Trebruchet, thanks for weighing in on the subject. I would think that in the long run it would certainly be less expense to pay the initial $$$ of increasing wall depth rather than continue to pay someone to install new otc microwaves over the years since they all lack durability. In my home, electrical does not appear to be in that area on the garage side but electrical outlets are below on what will be the coffee bar side. However, there is a pull down attic ladder about 4 ft. past the door into the garage which is immediately adjacent to the area being discussed. Therefore, there is easy access to all the framing in this area. I don't know if this helps, but I thought it might. Is it structurally OK to install a header and jack studs if this is a support wall? At this point it appears I need someone who knows what they are doing to come in and advise me regarding my best options. I don't want to get into an electrical "hornet's nest." We may need to open up the wall to see what the situation is in that area. I'm deeply grateful to both of you for your professional advice.

Try an "over the counter" microwave by sharp rather than over the range microwave. The only place I'd install an over the range microwave is "over the range."Sharpusa.com " is the website..they have pdf files with install dimensions.......the over the counter microwave is a nice piece. Other than that -try ge.com for their ge spacemaker microwave.