I can't read your diagram well enough to suggest a place, but that $64,000 question is part of what led us to replacing the cabinets (better layout, but still no good place for the microwave) and ultimately to chose a drawer microwave. We put ours between the cooktop and the table. It is close to where we cook and bake, but also close to the table, where we carry some of the heated food. Some folks suggest putting the micro near the fridge, but I would focus on where the heated things are used. That seems easier for carrying and for traffic patterns. With that in mind, look for a 24" drawer stack and put it in the upper half. Again, I can't read your diagram well enough to tell, but if that is your fridge on the right and in the corner, it looks like you have a filler, but if you give yourself a bit more room there and use a pullout or put in shelves, you can make use of the space What do you see going on in the right and lower half of this kitchen? Other than a fridge that is somewhat obscured, it strikes me as potentially under utilized space. I'd like to see you explore some layout options that might give you better use of this large space.

boxie, Thanks for input. I had originally picked out a range with a warming drawer/little oven in addition to the first oven. Hubby got into the act and bought a Viking range. Granted it has the convection feature, but it only has one oven. I'm looking for something that will function as a second oven. The fridge wall is not going to have a counter. It is going to be a wall of cabinets similar to this: What is it with kitchens! You think you have one problem solved and 2 more pop up! LOL However, I may have to follow your advice and just go with a microwave that is small and can go on a shelf.

Thnaks for the replies. I was all excited about the microwave drawer until I saw the price - $5-600?!? Seriously! DH would flip! We are already looking for places to cut costs as this build is seriously pushing our budget. The hanging sapcesaver MW is an idea. We'd have to get dimensions and check it out, as that space (under the cabs on that side) was going to be for the coffee maker. I personally like the pantry idea, but not sure DH will go for it. I'll bring it up tho. On the updated plans it looks like the pantry has been whittled down to 4'10 by 5ft and has a chunk taken out of the corner, so I am not sure how much space will be in there. I don't want to get rid of the message center all together. It IS full height (it is going to house slots for mail for each family member, cook books, recycling can underneath for mail recycling, and our cordless phone) and only 12 in deep I think so not sure a MW could go there anyway. I linked the updated plans below. SIGH. This is so hard....all for a stupid MW. Grr. Here is a link that might be useful:

Here are two possible layouts. Your space is tough! However, I think I may have come up with 2 possible layouts, but I do like the one labeled "Tom_G_DC #2" the best. These layouts assume: * You take down the left wall b/w the kitchen & DR and go to w/in 3" of the DR window. * The step can be made narrower...3" on either side of the doorway to the bathroom * Cabinets on right wall go to w/in 3" of the bathroom doorway & flush w/the step * 15" overhang steals another 3" from the DR * In Layout #2, the tall cabinet containing the Convection MW will run up to the step so the toe kick will have to be "raised" to the height of the step * Ditto for the 21" cabinet in Layout #1 (the step was not drawn in, sorry) Other notes: * In both layouts, the MW is in a tall cabinet. This allows you to put it at a good height for you and also provides additional storage space above and below the MW...something your kitchen needs! The MW doesn't have to be built-in, rather an alcove can be created to put the MW in. * The refrigerator has a 3/4" finished end panel on each side. * Ditto for the tall cabinet in Layout #1 * In Layout #2, the tall cabinet only needs a finished panel on the top half of the exposed side. The other side is against the wall and the bottom of the exposed side is against cabinets and countertop. * Peninsula: The countertop will run up to the tall cabinet in Layout #2, incorporating the 3" filler below the counter b/w the tall cabinet and the base cabinet in the peninsula. * Peninsula seating: ...-- In Layout #1, there is seating for 3 as in your original floor plan. The difference is that with this layout the 3rd person is not looking at a cabinet 12" in front of his face ...-- In Layout #2, there's really only space for 2. The "extra" space to the right is too shallow for another seat. You could either run the countertop around there for extra space in the DR (for dishes, narrow ones!) w/a 9" cabinet below or you could put in a 9" deep tall cabinet and not extend the countertop past the tall MW cabinet. Sink: You don't have a lot of work space around the sink. However, there is enough workspace, I think, to provide space for stacking dirty dishes and cleanup. For prep, there is additional work space around the range and directly across from the sink. Every wall is broken up by something...either doorway or window...and you don't have a long enough run on any wall to incorporate the refrigerator + range or refrigerator + sink and still have decent work space. I felt these layouts, especially #2, are a good compromise and provide at least some work space around every appliance. You could move the sink & DW to the peninsula, but I'm not a big fan of that since it not only takes away your only decent expanse of space for prep, baking, etc., but also for homework & other projects. The sink would also be "in the face" of anyone sitting across from the sink. I'd like to see another 9 to 12 inches depth if you do put the sink in the peninsula. However, it's up to you. Trash & Recycle: You mention that you couldn't find space for the trash can or the recycle bin. Rev-A-Shelf makes a double 27-qt trash pullout that fits a 15" face-frame cabinet. In Layout #2, you could put both in either: * the 15" cabinet on the right wall ...OR * If you only need 2" of clearance b/w the refrigerator & window, then the 14" cabinet b/w the refrigerator and sink could be 15" and you could put the trash pullout there. RV-4WCTM-15DM-2 - Top Mount Double Bin Pull-Out Waste Container About that 14" cabinet...if you will have custom cabinets, you should be able to get a 14" cabinet. However, if you are getting stock cabinets (and probably semi-custom), you will probably have to get a 12" cabinet + 2" filler since stock cabinets usually come in set sizes and semi-custom in increments of 3". If you can make it a 15" cabinet, then you'll be OK with almost any cabinet line, I think. Please remember that this is your kitchen and that these are only suggestions. The design of your kitchen is ultimately up to you. So, you can take anything you like and throw out the rest! Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck & welcome to the obsession--TKObsessed! Layout #1 (NOT my favorite) Layout #2...my personal favorite