I use a toaster oven almost every day, even after our complete kitchen makeover several years ago. I hate heating up our noisy Elux wall oven for baking something that will fit in the quiet counter top oven. It is worth the counter space to me.

My son has a small apartment kitchen, and has a toaster oven on the limited counter. Like you, he uses it every day. He doesn't even have a regular toaster.

Your regular toaster can live in a cabinet until you need it.

You can have anything you want on your counter as long as you feel it's your best use of the space. If you find you need the counter more for something else in the future move the toaster oven. Mine does the best job for bagels and toast because I put the butter on to melt in the oven as things toast.

I would never do without my toaster oven. Even in a small space, it is one of my most-used things in the kitchen. I have never had a plain ol' toaster. I toast bread in the toaster oven!

Got room for a baker's rack? That's what I use for the microwave and pot rack.

I'll take the contrarian view here. I, too, live alone with a small kitchen and very little counter space. I'd like a toaster oven but am unwilling to give up the space. I also opted out of a microwave because of space tradeoffs. I have a small toaster in a dead corner -- everything other than toast goes in the range oven. Works for me.

Maybe posting a layout or pic of the space will help generate some ideas.

It should have been part of the kitchen inventory that was designed to have it’s spot. Have a cabinet modified to put it in off of the counter.

Millennial Makeover · More Info

I lost my beloved toaster oven in my new house- there is absolutely no room for it. I melt cheese in my oven without giving it a second thought. It does not take much time, so I have little guilt (actually no guilt.) I don't think the trade-off is worth it with your gorgeous new kitchen.

I'm going with a built-in Bosh combo oven (small, microwave and convection oven in one). $1800. That gives me a 2nd oven AND a microwave. It's built in so no loss of counter space (buy a small regular toaster). Note: needs 240V

Item # 827062 Model # HMC80252UC

Bosch 800 Series 1.6-cu ft Built-in Speed Cook Convection Microwave with Sensor Cooking Controls (Stainless Steel)

Turn in the easy bake oven for the adult version that comes with your new kitchen! I am teasing, if you love it you should keep it! I like The Cook's Kitchen's idea of creating a cabinet space for it, saves valuable counter top space and is functional too.

I'd keep it out since you do use it often.

The cabinet shelf idea may work for you... but you'll need to decide what's more valuable in your kitchen - counter space or cabinet space...

You have to make room for it... do you have something that isn't used frequently that is on the counter like a mixer that you can trade spaces?

We use our toaster oven 2-3 times a day even though we have 2 ovens. You just can't make good quick toast in an oven. Toasters are not much smaller than a toaster oven. Also, toasters struggle to hold odd shaped bread like large country loaves and baguettes. Our new Cuisinart toaster oven has steam feature which makes it even more versatile; it is also looks really sharp and stylish.

Here's a thought. Try this and see if it works before you throw it out.It is lightweight and portable. Keep it out and use it as you need it. For the times you need that space on the counter, unplug it and move it to someplace nearby but out of the way.

Didn’t you say you only got the toaster oven for your remodel? What were you doing to melt the cheese on your tuna melt before this? I assume you were using your oven, presumably without feeling guilty.

I free you from all guilt associated with using the oven. Now choose what makes you happy.

I agree with Anne Duke. All reheating takes place in a covered skillet on low, non-stick at my house. I made a spot for a future steam wall oven, which is supposed to be wonderful for reheating in addition to whatever else I'll cook. I really like my toaster oven but it's on its last legs and might not be replaced.

Do you have a garage? Can you set up a surface in there for the toaster oven and see if you'd rather walk out there to use it over your other choices? I'll use my garage as a "summer kitchen" whenever I use countertop appliances for large meals or to keep the heat out of the house. If a month or two goes by and you don't miss it, give it away or store it for times when a second oven would be helpful.

IMO a good cast iron pan can do a lot of what you want so try that to see if the oven can be gone but honestly if you use it all the time put it in a corner and deal with the counter you have. We are of course only guessing since there are no pictures

I have a speed oven and a CSO, they have completely replaced the toaster oven. Prior to the remodel, I really needed the toaster oven as using a full oven for a lot of things was silly but the smaller built in ovens heat up fast enough and do everything better than a toaster oven (except toast). I have a toaster for actual toast that stays in a drawer when not being used. If I didn't have the smaller built ins, I'd leave the toaster on the counter and buy the best looking one I could find.

A kitchen appliance used frequently is not clutter.

Too bad there is not a good countertop oven/microwave for around the cost of a toaster oven + a microwave ($200).

My toaster oven is also used often, it's small so fits on a shelf in a lower cupboard when not in use. I have baked meatloaf in it many times!

A frequently used appliance should have a home design d for it. The fact that it does not says that you assumed that you wouldn’t use it after the remodel. But now that the remodel is at an end, you really prefer to use the smaller oven. You either alter the design to find it a home, or you start using the big oven. I like toast too much to give up a toaster oven. A good design will have a corner, a wall shelf, or a countertop spot assigned to it.

I recently traded my bulkier Cuisinart toaster oven for more compact, better working ( & better looking ) Breville. It’s very compact but will cook a 12” pizza, i rarely use my regular oven Since getting it.

I'd choose function over form, and personally would make room for it. I have the Breville smart oven too, and it is used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, not just for warming but cooking. It also makes 6 pieces of toast at a time - can't do that in cast iron. I cook with cast iron everyday (it's my favorite cookware) and it just would not do as a complete substitute for my Breville. I quite often need ovens at two different temperatures and though my range has a second oven it takes forever to heat. And I absolutely cannot be without it for holiday and company cooking, even large batch cookies when I use all three ovens.

A cabinet with a shelf or built-in speed oven would be nice, but it sounds like you are past that point and your kitchen is about done. Do you absolutely not have the space as is it would take up prep space, or is it the visual clutter that is driving this dilemma? A good toaster oven is a very useful appliance for a person that lives alone and mostly cooks for one. Again, I'd choose function over form. Can we see your layout?

I have a Black and Decker toaster oven that I'm waiting for to die so I can get a nicer one. : ) I use it all the time. I have a counter next to my refrigerator and that's where it sits. I too hate heating up small things in the oven. I don't think it's clutter if you use it all the time so I'd find the room for it.

Karen Rose, Wow I really like your tile backsplash! I always thought the black would be too much (I have similar color scheme for counters/cabs) but it is quite stunning. Are those glass tiles? Very nice!

(I have that same toaster oven. I love it!)

I keep toaster, air fryer in the pantry and bring it out when needed.

I was also going to suggest putting it in a corner at an angle as Karen Rose suggested. That's where I moved my moms microwave and it works real well. Corners are usually hard to reach and because if that it really doesn't take up much usable space.

I do thank people for their input but I guess I forgot to emphasize that I am working with an extremely small urban kitchen in a high rise - no pantry - no garage - no basement :-). The original kitchen was 8' x 10' and I managed to eke out as much usable space as possible given that I didn't want an OTR microwave hood and I wanted a counter depth refrigerator.

Since the soffits are concrete and structural to the building, these had to remain as well.

That said, I expanded the effective storage capabilities of my kitchen by knocking down a ridiculous short wall partition that divided the dining area from the kitchen. In that way I was able to run the counter through it and I stored my Cuisinart and KA Mixer in what looks like the tall pantry on the left - there is a door to the side as well so that I can slide the KA Mixer and Cuisnart directly out to the kitchen. There is no room for a toaster oven to be stored there.

There are no corners to hide the toaster oven - there are no cubbies I could have built that would have made it more accessible. Knowing myself, I don't particularly want to take a toaster oven in and out of a drawer numerous times a week - at that point I would just learn to do what I have to with an oven. I can deal with taking out a crock pot once a month but not an appliance that I would use at least several times a week - especially since I theoretically have that capability in the under-utilized $3200 Bosch oven - and may I add that the tariffs really have increased the price of metal products. I bought the oven last May and it was $2900.

In the list of my shortcomings, I am also not going to use a skillet to reheat a slice of pizza or other stuff that can be reheated in an oven because that would be an additional pan to clean versus laying some tin foil on top of the tray or roasting pan and reheating the oven and tossing the tin foil :-).

My microwave is in a drawer under the wall oven because I wanted if off the counter and there wasn't any other place it could be functionally. My choice of the Bosch oven was based on ergonomics (it's side opening) and my above stated desire not to have an OTR microwave because I am short and the above the range height doesn't work well.

In terms of every other combination of wall appliances I could have selected, the Bosch side opening oven and the microwave drawer made the most sense. If I had even the kind of "small" kitchen people think they have on this forum, my choices might have been different. While my kitchen isn't small by some NY City standards, it is considerably smaller than small kitchens people have in single family homes.

In terms of why I didn't plan better for the toaster oven :-) - I didn't realize how much I actually used it until I started moving back in. My very old stove actually had a wonderful small oven on top (this was pre-microwave days). I had a very small toaster oven which I upgraded to the Cuisinart Toaster oven about a year or so before my gut remodel because I wanted something that could effectively replace an oven for my limiting oven needs. I am aware of the Breville as I had also looked into that option when I got the current Cuisnart but the footprint is not smaller than my current oven and I don't have any need for a second oven nor do I foresee ever having that need.

I thought quite a lot of storage and functionality in terms of my design - I built in toe kick step stools so I could reach higher without shlepping out a step stool; I got a ledge sink so I could have the advantages of a large basin without ceding counter space permanently - as seen in the picture, I got a grid which I generally keep in place for drying the odd knife or washing fruit. I also have a cutting board and a cutting board with a hole for a stainless bowl. I extended the run of the cabinets - the other tall cabinet functions as my "broom" closet.

For those who asked - I am posting photos. There is only one counter that can actually have the toaster oven on it and the toaster oven hogs a significant amount of that counter and thus a significant amount of my very limited counter space.

I thank people for giving me different thoughts but it appears my best option is to start using my as of now virgin Bosch oven for even relatively small baking needs. I will probably then get the equivalent of a Smeg toaster for my basic toasting needs.

Unless one is unlimited, one is always going to have to compromise in some way - be it space or finances.

This is the cabinet run I extended into my dining area - the tall cabinet to the left has a door onto the counter so I can just slide my KA Mixer and Cuisinart directly on to the counter. There is an electric connection in there. The tall cabinet on the right acts as my broom closet. This is a shot in progress as I am still in the process of organizing my move in as you can see from the stack of boxes which I am slowly going through as I move back in.

This is the stove side of my kitchen - There is an Bosch induction cooktop and the Bosch wall oven and Sharp microwave drawer are to the left of the cooktop. I would not put a toaster oven on these counters because it would decrease functionality in terms of the cooktop. The toaster oven would barely fit on either of these.

This is the sink side of the galley kitchen. There are two "counters". The one to the right of the sink is too narrow for the toaster oven and it also limits my ability to load and unload the refrigerator which is immediately to the right of the bagels :-)

That leaves the counter above the dishwasher (to the left of the sink) where the toaster oven currently resides. However, as shown, it eats up a lot of space which I would prefer using for prep.

As the ill exposed picture shows, there is a pile of boxes - some of them thankfully already empty :-).

Would it fit onto the counter space you have in your dining area? If you're having company, simply remove it to another room. (Sorry if I missed something in your previous post in regards to that counter space).

I have a Cuisinart steam/convection/toaster oven that I got long before my reno. While planning the reno, I had the same dilemma as you. I ended up not getting neither a combi nor an Advantium - I ended up deciding the little Cuisinart was the best use of space. I put it in a corner and it sits at an angle. I would not put that particular oven in a cabinet because of the steam function.

Your cabinets are beautiful! And I love the blue tile and heron behind the cooktop.

Have you tried rotating the toaster oven 90°? It looks like it's wider than it is deep.

Not getting into safety issues, but could you mount the oven?

Oh, my that is a lovely kitchen, so warm and outdoorsy-feeling, which must be a delightful refuge in an urban high-rise! I think your toaster oven will go on the counter by the dining room, it fits there and will be very convenient.

I would leave it where it is or put it in the dining room. When we lived in a 600 square foot apartment during our remodel, we had a one wall 8 foot kitchen. We still kept our toaster oven on the counter even though it meant I did a lot of prepping on the flat top stove.

Comments are all food for thought - no pun intended. And perhaps they will give ideas to others although they aren’t feasible for my specific needs and configurations.

Toaster oven can’t be mounted under cabinets as I don’t have any upper cabinets wide enough and it really wouldnt provide more clearance to make counters under usable anyway. My parents had a small one mounted under a cabinet years ago but that was intended to be mounted and was much shorter so it left more clearance.

I don’t want to cook in the dining area because I would have to transport food and deal with any mess and crumbs. I also don’t want to see a toaster oven from my living area as my space is essentially one large room. If I am going to have an ugly kitchen appliance, it is at least somewhat hidden in the original kitchen area. I am limiting that area to my Nespresso but found that actually might have to be moved because I don’t like dealing with the wet drip catcher which I managed to spill when I had to transport to the sink for cleaning.

I had it rotated so the end was facing out and that did give me marginally more counter space but I immediately moved it front facing when I used it this morning. :-)

If you won't put it in the dining room and you won't turn it sideways, then your only option is to leave it where it is or get rid of it. That being said, I see a few other counter "hoggers" that surely you can find a spot somewhere for them except on your countertop (your spice rack and your utensil holder). I'd get those spices inside a cabinet so that you can use the area to the right of your sink for prep and put your utensils in a drawer. You need all the counter space you can get as it is.

I love your cabinets - can you tell us about those? Looks like Arts & Crafts era design. And that toaster oven spot now is a real hazard being so close to the sink. Is a mobile cart possible? Likely not, with space issues. I had to give mine up when I moved out of the country for a while and I did adapt, but I did miss it. I actually did without a microwave then too, and we managed to survive.

Thanks everyone for the input - I don't mean to appear to be contrarian in terms of explaining why solutions won't work for me :-). I am just seeing if there is something I have missed.

At this point, it's pretty theoretical since I haven't actually prepped anything since unbelievably I just passed the one year mark when my demo started - so I can keep the toaster oven in its temporary perch - it took me about two months until I was brave enough to get rid of the counter microwave oven from my past and start using the microwave drawer - I have yet to use the cooktop for anything other than showing a friend that it could boil water - and the only induction ready cookware I currently own is a fish poacher as nothing else was induction ready so it all got rehomed. Since I haven't started cooking, I haven't started accumulating cookware yet.

So I see a manual reading in my future. It's been pretty overwhelming just figuring out the basics of how to operate all the new stuff in my remodel. My shower valves had me confused and I actually needed a cheat sheet on which position the diverter needed to be in for each valve. :-).

@talavaran - My cabinets were designed by my designer when I showed her my inspiration photos. I fell in love with the Prairie style doors I saw at Crownpoint Cabinets - aka Frank Lloyd Wright inspired.

Mine are quarter sawn white oak and stained I guess a medium honey tone. I went a bit crazy about finding the right stain and then I pointed to an old chair I had and said - THAT COLOR - so the guy actually took my chair to replicate the color and then brought a sample back for me to approve.

Crownpoint Prairie Cabinets

They were built by a local cabinet maker who also made my stripper television pole room divider :-). Because of all the customization I wanted to maximize my space, the price was far lower than if I had tried to get all of the features in a semi-custom line (even if I could have) and obviously WAY cheaper than a custom branded line.

@shead - At the risk of being repetitive, I had thought about spice placement and some of what I call my "baking spices" which are not in the kitchen proper, the spinning rack carries the smallest footprint for spices while making them accessible - I only have one set of drawers on the sink side of the kitchen and the top drawer has a fitted knife rack - the others have stuff like plastic wrap; tinfoil; plastic bags etc. which really need to be in the drawer.

The middle drawer in the dining area cabinet/hutch actually is fitted for silver with tarnish resistant lining. I decided it was crazy not to use my silver every day - at least when I graduate from the paper plates and plastic forks I am still using while my remodel goes on into year two :-).

I have no drawers on the other side that would be suitable for stove top utensils and my old "witch's cauldron" has a pretty small footprint. There is a small drawer immediately below the cooktop but you can't store any metal stuff below an induction cooktop so I am using it for some silicone mats and pot holders/oven mitts that won't heat up.

All I mean is that you can’t have it all ways without sacrificing something. In your case, that’s counter space. I know the spice rack doesn’t take up a huge footprint but if it stays where it’s at and the toaster stays where it’s at, you have very little counter space in prep and cleanup zone.

I would suggest that the drawer under the cooktop would be a good place to store the spices with the use of a spice drawer insert. Of course, only you can determine how you use the kitchen and what your needs are in terms of prep space and cleanup space but again, there’s a sacrifice of something. You just need to determine what that is (ie, toaster or no toaster, etc.) ;-)

I bought the smallest Breville toaster oven nearly 3 years ago, and it's fabulous! I could not live without it. It takes up very little space.

Helen -- Your kitchen is GORGEOUS! Nicely done! When you're ready to settle back into your kitchen, why not stash the toaster oven in a closet for a month and see how everything functions for you. At that point you'll either forget the toaster oven or be willing to sacrifice precious counter space for it. Whichever you choose, enjoy your beautiful new kitchen.

BLACK+DECKER Spacemaker Under-Counter Toaster Oven, Black/Stainless Steel, TROS1000D

(Discontinued but still available from an Amazon 3rd party)