No Boring Microwave: The Affordable Upgrade That Makes Your Appliance Look So Elegant

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Homeowners are often concerned with hiding microwave eyesores in the kitchen, but instead of hiding yours, consider upgrading it with decorative stained-glass-look window cling film. This will  bring affordable elegance to your kitchen and works on both stand-alone units and built-ins where only the front is visible.  

For TikTokker Emilee Benzo (@emileebenzo), decorating her microwave was the finishing touch in a kitchen-upgrade spree in which she used the same pattern cling film on her dishwasher and fridge. She also transformed a plain trash can into a whimsical accent in minutes, using the same Indigo Waviness window cling pattern by QHY Sunshine via Amazon. This floral pattern contains black lines that match the black of the microwave. 

Rolls of this cling film range in price according to size from just under $7 to about $45; a roll that would likely cover a microwave and more is $12.49. You can reuse your extra window cling to give your fridge a new look. 

Kick off the process by cleaning the microwave's surface thoroughly with a multipurpose spray or dry cloth, ensuring it is completely dry before proceeding. Spray or sponge water onto the microwave, remove the liner from the cling film, and apply it directly to the microwave. As you apply the film across the surface of the microwave, use a squeegee or credit card to get rid of air bubbles. A craft knife can help you cut the space for the window in front of the unit and the touch panel with its controls.

If you get bored of this pattern, the static cling film is extremely easy to remove; you can simply peel it off whenever you like and replace it with a new pattern. You can even re-use the cling film you've removed. Window cling film is a renter-friendly way to upgrade any space in your home, including appliances, glass cabinet fronts, doors, and, of course, windows.

One situation Emilee Benzo faced with the cling film on her microwave that she didn't encounter with the other items she covered is the effect of heat rising from the stove and oven below. Indeed, several of her 1,289 commenters asked if heat would be an issue. Cling film begins to soften at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which could be an issue over time. One option would be to use a decorative cling film intended for windows that get very hot, such as Lancaster decorative static cling window film, which one reviewer says handles an "insane amount of heat." Obviously, a microwave that's not located above a range would not have this problem.