How to Hide a Microwave

Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: March 29, 2019 References

Microwaves are one of those appliances that many people consider necessary, but they are often bulky and can take up a lot of precious kitchen space. You may be wondering about the best ways to keep your microwave hidden and out of your way when it’s not in use. You can hide your microwave by stashing it behind other doors or on top of shelves, situating it under your counters, or modifying your kitchen to accommodate the appliance.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Finding a Disguised Location

1
Put the microwave in a spare cabinet above the kitchen counter. If your upper kitchen cabinets can accommodate the size of your microwave, try tucking the appliance inside one of them. That way, when you close the cabinet door, the microwave is completely out of sight.^{[1]
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- Be sure to choose a cabinet with easy access to an electrical outlet.
- Double-check that the microwave door will have plenty of clearance so it’s easy accessible when you need to use it.
2
Tuck the appliance out of sight in your pantry. If you have room to spare in your pantry, consider moving the microwave inside of it. Make sure there’s easy access to an electrical outlet before you haul it into the pantry, though!^{[2]
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- It’s best to place it on a shelf that’s easily reachable for everyone in your family, so take everyone’s height into account.
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3
Place it on a lower shelf or cabinet under a kitchen counter. If you have a lower cabinet with doors, you can situate the microwave there and close the door to conceal it completely. If your lower shelves are exposed, this is still a good spot for you microwave, since it will look somewhat integrated into the lower cabinetry.^{[3]
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- Microwaves that are positioned below eye level tend to look less conspicuous.
4
Hide the microwave on the inside of an island. If your kitchen has an island with lower shelf space, place your microwave there. Unless your island has cabinet doors for the lower shelves, choose the side that faces inward so that the microwave is only visible to people standing inside your kitchen.^{[4]
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- Placing it on a lower shelf on the side that faces outward is still a good choice, but it’ll be a little more visible there.
5
Put it on an exposed upper shelf for a seamless look. If your enclosed upper cabinets can’t accommodate your microwave, consider positioning your microwave on one of the upper exposed shelves. It won’t be completely concealed on an exposed shelf, but it will look incorporated into the cabinetry, making it far less conspicuous.^{[5]
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- If possible, choose an upper shelf that faces in toward the kitchen, like a side wall shelf.
6
Situate it on top of your refrigerator for an integrated look. While still exposed, your microwave will look uniform with your fridge and integrated into the decor of the kitchen if you place it on top of your fridge. If your microwave and fridge are the same color, that helps to disguise the microwave even more!^{[6]
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- If your fridge and microwave aren't the same color, positioning it there still creates a more unified look than if it were just sitting on the counter.
7
Check your microwave’s manual about ventilation requirements before moving it. Most microwaves have ventilation requirements in order to function properly. While some microwaves don’t need any extra ventilation because they have it at the bottom or under the legs, many will need back or side ventilation. Before moving your microwave, consult the manual for specific information.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Customizing Your Kitchen Space

1
Add an appliance garage with sliding track doors for a countertop option. An appliance garage keeps your microwave on the counter, underneath the cabinets, but has sliding doors that come down in front of your appliances when they’re not in use.^{[7]
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- You can buy sliding track doors for appliance garages at most hardware stores.
- Be sure to look for door models that match the rest of the kitchen's cabinetry.
2
Build a sliding shelf if you have extra drawer space. Drawer spaces that are tall enough to accommodate your microwave can be adapted with a sliding shelf so you can tuck it out of sight. You can also try adding a sliding shelf into one of the lower cabinets in your kitchen.^{[8]
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- Measure the area first, then you can either build or order a sliding shelf that will fit the space.
- Mount the sliding brackets to the sides of the cabinet area to install your shelf.
3
Conceal the microwave behind a lift-up door above your oven. The space above the oven is a very convenient position for your microwave. If you have an exposed shelving area above your oven, try tucking the microwave into that nook and then installing a simple lift-up door to hide it behind.^{[9]
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4
Install an appliance pantry to hide your microwave and small appliances. This would likely be a fairly involved construction project for your kitchen, but it might be worth it if you have several unsightly appliances you want to hide! If you aren’t familiar with carpentry, you may want to consult a remodeling company if you decide to go this route.

Community Q&A

Question

Why would I want to hide my microwave?

Community Answer

If you don't want a guest to see it or some other reason. Some people just do not like the looks of them.
Question

Can I close the cabinet door while it's on?

Community Answer

No; you should leave it partially open when using the microwave to allow heat to escape. Check your microwave's manual for ventilation instructions.