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Appliances Design Dilemma Kitchens

Microwave in upper cabinet above sink?

5 years ago

This is my new kitchen design -

My lower cabinets are 24" deep. Upper cabinets are 12" deep.

Counter top is 36" from floor. I have 18" clearance from my countertop to upper cabinets.

I would like to install an 18" deep microwave above my kitchen sink. It will be at 18" height from countertop/sink (Bottom of microwave will be aligned with the bottom of my upper cabinets).

Microwave will be 54" height from ground. I am 62" tall. My doubt is will I keep banging my head on the microwave when I use the sink? I do use the sink a lot!

Appreciate any thoughts on this? Any feedback from anyone who has a wall mounted microwave?

Thank you!

Featured Answer

writersblock (9b/10a)

5 years ago

I just saw this in a house listing this week:

That would be a serious no, even if it's just a regular micro on a shelf.

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Comments (13)

Aurora Tee (Zone 6a)
5 years ago
Sorry, I just don't think over the sink is a good idea. There are many Houzzers here who are good at layout. Why don't you post your entire floorplan for the best recommendations?
privategrdnr thanked Aurora Tee (Zone 6a)
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Denita
5 years ago
Agree with both comments above. There has to be a better location in the kitchen somewhere.
privategrdnr thanked Denita
PRO
Anglophilia
5 years ago
I would hate that...
privategrdnr thanked Anglophilia
artistsharonva
5 years ago
Functionality 1st.

Pulling hot things out needs a landing space.

Microwave over sink is not a good idea.

One day when someone pulls out a hot plate or cup, it's going be dropped & fall right into the sink & probably break. Especially if the hot item, hits the cold water.

No thanks.
privategrdnr thanked artistsharonva
functionthenlook
5 years ago
Personally I wouldn't want to be looking at a microwave when using the sink. I know I would be banging my head on it.
privategrdnr thanked functionthenlook
lizziesma
5 years ago
Does that old "thing"about electricity and water apply here?
privategrdnr thanked lizziesma
Anne Duke
5 years ago
My contractor wouldn’t let me put mine within several feet of the the sink. Code, I believe.
privategrdnr thanked Anne Duke
chocolatebunny123
5 years ago
Same as Anne Duke. We're having our basement finished and putting a small kitchenette in. We first just wanted a sink now we want a microwave and when I was Googling pictures of kitchenettes, I was surprised at how many I found that did have the microwave over the sink. I showed my contractor and he said absolutely not, it's against code.

I have a microwave over my range (previous owners put it there) and it sticks out several inches out from the cabinets. So even it was within code standards, I wouldn't want it there.
privategrdnr thanked chocolatebunny123
tatts
5 years ago
When I bought my house, the wall cabinets in the kitchen were all the same height above the counter, including over the sink. Bizarre. It is truly claustrophobic to stand that close to a cabinet and have to lean over to work in the sink.

I took that cabinet out while I was refinishing them all anyway and cut it to be the same height as the ones over the fridge and stove. New doors and drawer fronts and a new natural finish and it's good as new.

Refinishing the cabinets was my first project, even before moving in.

TLDR: That is a rotten location for a microwave.
privategrdnr thanked tatts
PRO
Piper Stone Home
5 years ago
As with other commenters here, I agree. In most states, this is a code violation. You do not want to put a microwave above the sink.

Additionally, one thing to consider is standing at the sink and doing dishes. It's a risk of hitting your head. With the stove, one generally doesn't lean over the stove because of the heat coming off of it, so microwaves above the stove don't present this danger. A sink is a very different issue, as one frequently leans over the sink to scrub dishes.
privategrdnr thanked Piper Stone Home
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
5 years ago
Ugh, no.
privategrdnr thanked Zalco/bring back Sophie!
privategrdnr
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you so much all! Looks like you saved me from a bad decision. It also looks like its best not to have cabinets above sink where my head could hit. So will keep the wall cabinets there higher than me head. I'll put the microwave at 54" height on the wall area that is least used.

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