Have t you already posted about this issue? No need to start a new thread. Plus. You don’t fit an OTR inside any shelf.

If you have an island try to fit the microwave there. What you are describing never looks good

@srea123, you can’t put an OTR (over the range) microwave in an island, anymore than you can put it on a shelf. The only place a microwave designed to be installed over the range can go, is over a range.

Yes, it will look strange. The usual location for a shelf that projects out a few inches to hold a microwave is the bottom shelf, not the center shelf.

darbuka, I don’t see where the OP says it’s OTR. It says “OTC”. I assumed “C” stood for countertop...

I'm assuming this is a shelf for a countertop style microwave. The easy and inexpensive solution is to get a new microwave that's about 12" deep (or at least 12" deep from the front feet to the back).

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-0-7-cu-ft-Small-Countertop-Microwave-in-Black-JES1072DMBB/304224611

Here's what we did with ours. The shelf is 17 inches deep. Don't forget about the plug being back there hence needing more depth.

OTC micro shelves usually stick out a bit but can look okay with a smallish micro. How nice it looks will also depend on what flanks your micro cubby. Kristin is correct about taking the front feet into account when shopping. Also pay attention to how the cord comes out of the back. Some jut out and cost valuable space in an OTC situation. Still, I am a little worried about your KD’s level of experience.

@srea123, I stand corrected. I’ve never seen a countertop microwave abbreviated to OTC. My brain automatically read it as OTR.

That being the case, here’s how our countertop MW was installed on a shelf. It’s a very large, and often used appliance.

Your KD should have been working with the specs of your MW. We hid this MW (PEM31SF1SS) behind a lift-up door. Interior is 30"W x 18" H x 14" deep. The plug is above the MW so the depth works. I am able to keep a splatter shield handy on top of the MW and potholders next to it.

I would loved to have a door like that. But I have a wine rack over it and cabinets with glass door on two sides. It was my first home and am have basically have no knowledge about these stuff. I know my designer should have known it and made me aware of it. I wanted a custom built in microwave later on after my over the counter microwave died. But I think it’s never a possibility now. Right now the microwave space I have is 30” wide, 12” deep and 21” high. Microwave is 24* 15* 12. Perhaps I will use a 16-17” shelf and try to cover the top empty space with some valence. Can you guys comment on how it will look.

darbuka, yours looks nice because it’s pretty well built in. I believe your cabinet is deeper than 12” though, which is what the OP is working with. So yes, if they can change the depth of the cabinet then they can keep it in the uppers and it will look good. I wasn’t able to do that in my kitchen so that’s why the microwave ended up in the island. Just giving them another option to think about.

Vani can you post some pics of your kitchen?

It will look fine, refrigerators stick out a few inches and they are a lot bigger then a microwave.

I agree with ci_lantro. Get a deeper cabinet and bump it out.

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This is the pic. I am skeptical about how additional 5” poking out in center look?

Also be sure the opening meets clearance specifications top, sides, and rear for the microwave in question. These are typically 1-2 inches on sides and back, and can be anywhere from 1 to 6 or more inches on top depending on the specific model.

Clearance info is in the user manual.

Just because you see photos of microwaves in openings with minimal clearances, it doesn't mean they were installed to spec. Steam and heat could damage surrounding cabinets (or the microwave) if clearances are not followed.

That is a very pretty area so you don't want to just slap a bandaid on it. I would bump out the whole center section so that it looks intentional rather than just adding an extra deep shelf under the wine rack for the MW. Now is the time to get it fixed correctly so you are not sorry down the road. I am curious what your KD is suggesting to fix her error?

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“Clearance info is in the user manual.

Just because you see photos of microwaves in openings with minimal clearances, it doesn't mean they were installed to spec. Steam and heat could damage surrounding cabinets (or the microwave) if clearances are not followed.”

@Michelle misses Sophie, if you’re referring to my installation, the MW we installed was meant to be built in. We decided to forgo the built in kit. Didn’t care for the esthetics. My contractor made sure it was ventilated to specs.

@srea123, I’m aware the OP is dealing with a 12” space. Your suggestion that the OP place the MW in an island, won’t work. The discussion is about a countertop MW, which cannot go under a counter. The outswing door alone, is a deterrent, let alone the fact that it wouldn’t have a tray mechanism to receive the to-be-heated food, and then deliver the cooked food to you. Under counter MWs, are designed for that purpose.

I agree with @ci_lantro...order a deeper cabinet, and let the designer absorb the cost, as it was her/his mistake.

In the original post, which I answered there, the MW was an OTR. But the dimensions being provided here do not seem to reflect that. More clarity about the MW involved is needed here. In any case, the choice of a wine rack from which to hang a MW, exposing the fasteners, and not allowing sufficient access room for the installer, was a poor choice by the designer. The entire design needs redoing, with consideration for the installer, and the appearance of the overall, and future upgrades in mind.

darbuka - What kind of microwave do you have? I like the way it looks. For some reason I don't like the way built in MWs look when they have a trim kit around them.

@Tamara, it’s a GE. My DH keeps the info booklets from every appliance we’ve ever owned. I’ll have to see about locating the one for the MW, and then I can give you the model#. Though, it’s four years old, so I’m guessing the line has been updated.

darbuka - no worries. I'm just glad to know that it's possible to install a MW without the trim kit. How much clearance do you have around it?

I’ll have to check about the clearance. DH will know how much space there is between the MW and the back of the cab. He’s not home at the moment.

If you use your M/W a lot, remember that they do put out heat (nothing like a stove or oven, but still...) so you might not really want to store wine above it. Up near the ceiling is the warmest part of the room as well. Just something to consider, unless you go through your wine fairly quickly.

darbuka, the model # should be on the inside.

Darbuka, countertop microwaves absolutely can go in an island and it’s done all the time. So I’m not sure what you’re basing your opinion on. The outswing door is no more of a deterrent than an oven door. Sure it can be inconvenient for some people who don’t want to bend over to get their food out of the microwave, but that is personal preference. For short people it’s actually easier to lift food from under the counter than it is to grab it from up high. I personally would rather put my microwave in the island than have a 17 inch shelf sticking out from the rest of the cabinets and not have a built-in look. Now that the OP has provided a picture of the cabinets she’s working with I would say she should definitely bump it out and it will look great. (That’s not always the case depending on where the microwave cabinet is.)

Vani, I really like the pic wilson853 posted. I think you should remove the wine rack section you have, and add a deeper cabinet in between the 12” side cabinets. The top section can have doors and the bottom section should be built to the specs of your microwave trim kit. Just make sure you give the specs to the cabinet maker first. I’m not sure why your designer didn’t ask for the specs in the first place.

@wilson853, I looked on the inside of the MW. There‘s no label on the inside with the model#. The MW in my former home had one, but this one doesn’t.

@Tamara, the MW is 24” wide, 13” tall. Can’t tell how deep it is, w/o pulling the unit out of the cavity.

There is 1 1/4” clearance on the bottom, 1/2“ on the top, and 1/4” on the sides.

Hope that helps!

I agree that a counter microwave can look fine If you don’t mind it sticking out a bit more in standard cabinetry. The previous photo from Wilson853. You can type in microwave dimensions into Amazon and likely find something close to what you need.

If upper cabinets it would help to be able to have a counter nearby to set the hot dish on when removing from the microwave. Good Luck

No problem. This is done all the time.

Is there any standard dimension for how high should microwave be above floor, for comfortable access? I am 5.4 ft. Thanks

I’m short in stature at 5.1 ft So I purposely raised my microwave in the existing shelf using 2 cutting boards. This replicated the new height for a few days. I found out what worked for me so I can make sure my designer knows where it will be placed.

In OP's photo of the space in question, I think a deeper shelf would be fine -- a 3" extension will seem fairly minor. the feet are back from the front, so you can spare a little space for the plug...