No Need For A Microwave There: Reclaim This Kitchen Shelf For Decor And Books

There are some areas of your kitchen that just make sense: the cut-out in your wall to fit your refrigerator and the removed cabinet space for your dishwasher. These both have purpose and are hard to recreate in another area of the room. However, there are also some kitchen designs that don't make the most sense and aren't the most aesthetically pleasing. You may have one of those kitchens where the microwave is stored in its very own designated shelf right in the middle of your cabinets. Why not upgrade your kitchen by utilizing that space as a decorative shelf instead? Take away the appliance-heavy look of your microwave and replace it with books, flowers, candles, photos, etc. Meanwhile, we can find a new home for your microwave. Or, you may decide you simply have no need for a microwave anymore and can add it to your donation box. 

While not the most common placement, some homeowners have this microwave nook, and if you're looking for a clean, cohesive cabinet look, this gap can ruin it. You also may not be the biggest fan of having your microwave on display, especially if it's an older model. However, this microwave-shaped gap in your cabinet doesn't have to serve that exact purpose. In fact, it can be used for so much more. If you no longer want your microwave to be so front and center in your kitchen, follow the advice of TikTok creator Jovie from @meraki.collective.diy. She wanted her microwave to be tucked away behind a door, usable but not visible. It changed the look of her entire kitchen, and it is a kitchen upgrade you can easily recreate on your own. You can even install a microwave drawer in an existing cabinet in your kitchen.

A bulky microwave can take away from a kitchen's aesthetic, especially if it's smack dab in the middle of the room. If you want to replace it with a chic decor shelf instead, your first step will be to remove the microwave. Depending on your kitchen's specific construction, you may have to finagle the microwave cord out from the wall. Once the appliance is out, you can give the empty shelf a thorough clean. It may have been months or even years since that spot has been properly wiped down. Already, your kitchen should be looking more spacious without the large appliance weighing it down.

@meraki.collective.diy

DIY Microwave Shelf Makeover – Bougie on a Budget ✨ My biggest ick? A microwave shelf that isn't built in. It just looks unfinished! So, I finally gave mine a makeover—without breaking the bank. 💸 I thrifted the cutest shelf, cut it down to fit like a brass rail (but make it affordable), and even drilled a sneaky hole to hide the microwave cord. Now, my microwave is tucked away in an appliance garage, and this little shelf upgrade elevates the whole space! Who knew such a simple DIY could make such a difference? 🤩   Would you try this in your kitchen? Let me know below! ⬇️   #diymicrowaveshelf #microwaveshelfdiy #kitchenorganization #kitchenmakeover #diyshelving #microwavehack #appliancegarage #diymicrowavestand #kitchendiy #budgetfriendlydecor #bougieonabudget #smallkitchenideas #diyhomeprojects #diybrassrail

♬ original sound – Jovie | DIY | Designer

The hardest part of this project is finding another spot for your microwave. Depending on the size of the model you have, you may need to downsize to a smaller version in order to successfully hide your microwave and gain that extra kitchen storage space. You can opt to store your microwave on your kitchen counter, tucked away in an island, or even on a floating shelf on an open wall. If you don't use this appliance a lot, you can hide it in a bottom cabinet and take it out as needed.

Now here's the fun part: decorating your new empty shelf. There are endless options for how you can fill this space. You can add a decorative railing and fill the shelf with cookbooks and flowers. If you have a tablet you use for recipes or TV, this would be a perfect spot. You could use it as pantry storage, organizing your dry ingredients into clear and labeled canisters. If you're a coffee snob, this could be your ideal coffee station, complete with your French press, espresso machine, and syrup bottles.