Are you planning to have a second oven in addition to the range? If so, you could get an oven stack that has the microwave on top and the large oven below. The other option is to get a microwave drawer that can be put in the island out of the way of the main kitchen work area. That way, if you have kids, they can heat something up for a snack without getting underfoot while you're prepping and cooking.

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if you can put an appliance - ANY appliance - off the counter, do it.

Hi, gorgeous pix! I'll have a 36" range that is not a wall cabinet; it's w/ the row of base cabinets...will put that in the details above!:)

Also, no, I'm not planning on having a second oven. The new 36" oven will already be huge (don't really use ovens much; I just fell in love w/ a 36" Italian oven!)

I'm also in the keep all appliances off the counter camp. My only concession is the Keurig -- but only because DH put his foot down about it.

There are many options for microwaves in upper cabinets.

Thanks! How though would it be plugged in?

An electrician puts an outlet behind the cabinet, just as they would do for an over the range model or even an exhaust fan.

Why do you care if (according to strangers on the internet) it looks more "high end"? It's your kitchen, decide what makes you happy.

Our microwave is on the counter (in an inside corner near the fridge, making use of normally dead space) and will stay there when we renovate, because I am not going to devote a custom cabinet to a short-lived and inexpensive appliance that does not come in a standard size. A 30" range is easy to swap out when it dies; finding a replacement microwave that exactly fits a custom cabinet designed for its predecessor may not be.

Ergonomics is another consideration. Imagine taking a bowl of hot soup out of the microwave. If the microwave is elevated much above counter height, that could be perilous.

Some people don't like to clog up their counters with a lot of appliances. There are plenty of ways you can put an inexpensive microwave in a cabinet and easily replace it when it dies. It does not have to be built in.

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This is what we did. There is enough space surrounding the MW, to accommodate airflow. Click to enlarge.

No problem removing hot soup, or whatever...and, I’m just 5’4”.

I put together a whole idea book of ways to handle microwaves.

I would never have a MW under the counter to me just an awkward place for one.If you want built in then IMO it should be with a wall oven in a cabinet . I have mine on the counter because in my experience MW die and everytime they do there is a new size that no longer fits the spot you had before.

100% agree with whomever said that if you can take an appliance off the counter, do it. My vote is to install a Sharp micro drawer.

We have the Sharp micro drawer and love it

Our last kitchen we had the microwave set-up just like the Silly Little Kitchens photo above. Loved it. We added the microwave shelf during our remodel, choosing a shelf because as Patricia mentioned, microwaves typically do not last as long as other appliances. Easy to replace.

Current kitchen came with a microwave drawer built into the base cabinet. Not thrilled as it is ridiculously difficult to clean the inside top of the microwave. Otherwise looks nice and it works fine. Would prefer a microwave shelf in the same location

Ours is in our island, and I'm happy to have it there - it's hidden but still convenient to access. I would add that I think this totally depends on how often you use a microwave. We use ours really infrequently - mostly to cook frozen vegetables. For reheating things like soup or spaghetti sauce, I generally prefer the stove. But everyone's different with how they use their appliances, so consider where you'd LIKE it to be and put it there.