This post has affiliate links-
Relocating the microwave from over the stovetop to it’s own built in area, has been on our to-do list for months. If we’d known what a huge difference this project would make, it would have flown to the top of our list a long time ago!
We didn’t want the microwave sitting directly on the countertop and although putting it in the cabinet was an option, we realized we could give this entire area a Built-In-Cupboard effect by taking off the doors and adding bead board, rustic shelves and building a cubby for the microwave!
Here’s the kitchen before we moved the microwave…
The after photo is so much warmer isn’t it? Opening up these cabinets and creating a built-in shelf for the microwave gives our kitchen a little character…
For the first part of the project we used…
jigsaw & reciprocating saw
paint
beadboard
First we took the doors off of the cabinets-right then and there I knew I was going to love it!
Next he cut the centerpieces out with a jigsaw…
Our shelves are permanent-inserted into groves, so they had to be cut out with a reciprocating saw…
Wow! Never has demo been so rewarding!
Since one of my objectives is to make this look like a built in cupboard, I decided to use bead board on the backsplash. To keep this project easy, we put the bead board right on top of the tile! This worked like a charm.
We also completely covered the inside of the cabinet with bead board, again to give the built-in cupboard look.
*We decided to cover our existing countertop with a wood countertop. This isn’t necessary, but we thought it helped the cabinets look more like a piece of furniture. Mike joined the wood for the countertop in his workshop then cut it to lay on top of the granite-
Next it all had to be sanded smooth – Since Mike sands a lot of wood, he always wears a 3M™ Safety MaskProducts (safety eyewear & a 3M™ Paint Sanding Valve Respirator)
After the bead board was painted, Mike installed walnut wood for shelving.
Then he built a cubby for the microwave!
For the cubby he used:
5/8 inch plywood
wood screws
1 x 2 pine strips for moldings
Brad Nailer or small nails
paint
First he cut the side and bottom panels to size…
Then measured where to put the screws for assembling the shelf…
He drilled holes for the screws…
Then using a drill bit a little larger than the head of the screw…
He created a shallow indention to allow the screw head to be below the surface of the board…
When the screws were in, they were below the surface allowing room to cover them with wood filler…
Mike used 3M Wood Filler in the shallow indentions to cover up the screws …
And sanded it smooth…
The cubby fit under the upper cabinets. Mike secured the cubby with wood screws.
It’s big enough for the counter depth microwave to have a little room on the sides for air circulation. And because it’s raised, the few inches underneath is a great place to store a cutting board!
To make the overall space look more intentional, we decided to add another divider to define an area for coffee supplies. The tall narrow space between the microwave and the coffee area is perfect for cookbooks…
Since we needed to paint the wood sitting on top of the countertop, painters tape was a necessity…
To finish off the built in cubby, he added 1 x 2 pine strips for moldings…
And attached them with his brad nailer…
Since the microwave has an inconspicuous nook, it’s no longer the focal point of the kitchen! And opening up the cabinets gave a little charm and warmth to the heart of our home.
Before, the microwave was front and center and the white cabinets did little to warm up the space…
Now, the new microwave is nestled in it’s own little cubby and the new “cupboard” brings warmth and a little charm to the heart of our home…
That totally made a beautiful kitchen even more amazing!
Vanessa, thank you so much…youre absolutely encouraging my friend ox
I love it! I have been considering this in my kitchen and you have inspired me. Great job. ~Sonya
Sonya, thanks so much friend…have a wonderful day xo
Wow! I want to open up some cabinets in our home. I really like the bead board.
Shannon, it’s really very rewarding to open up cabinets! I would highly recommend it! xo 😉
That is an AWESOME project!
thank you Jen! Have a wonderful day xo
Looks so beautiful! LOVE open cabinets in a kitchen and you did an amazing job!
thanks so much Anne ~ sending love friend ox
They truly look like custom built-ins! I love how they look! What is that thing(vintage) on the wall by your island and seating area! I think it is an old land line kitchen telephone, lol! You don’t see those anymore, pretty soon, kids will ask what that is!
DeDe…thank you my friend! And yes! It’s a vintage phone (pink!) I love it so much- everyone who comes over for the first time, pick up that phone and dial their old phone #s 😉
I love the idea of customizing! I’m always for getting away from cookie cutter and making our homes function perfectly for us. 😉 Great job!
Ursula, yes…maybe that’s it exactly-it’s so rewarding to add a little of our own personality to our homes xo
Absolutely fantastic!! Love it
Thanks so much Diana xo
I’m SO impressed!!!! And I didn’t know The Husband is left-handed. I’ve always thought left-handed people are unusually creative. 🙂
Stunning!!!
Thanks so much J xo
I love this project Robin! It looks fabulous! Im pinning!
Leslie
thank you so much Leslie– and for pinning ox
Your kitchen is beautiful, and I love the look of the open shelving. And to build a shelf for the microwave is genius.
Vanessa, thanks so much – it really solved our problem~ 🙂 xo
Great tutorial- Looks beautiful!
Thanks so much Randi! ox
Wow, quite the involved project but it looks very nice.
Becky, It wasn’t really hard , I just wanted to include a lot of photo just in case someone else wanted to do it! 🙂
Very pretty! I love the beadboard on the back.
Blessings,
Beth
Beth, I sooo love breadboard don’t you? 🙂 thanks so much my friend xo
My very most favorite part is seeing the wood being used- both the bead board, and the piece on the counter! I truly love the entire look- but the wood customizes the whole piece. Did you have to redo over the stove too? xxoo
Vicky..thank you! I love bead board too 🙂 Yes we added a rustic range hood 🙂 (I posted it – the link is in the photo in my header! xo)
OMG so gorgeous! Love it!
Malia, thanks so much friend ox
It looks absolutely amazing!!!
Lindsay thank you so much!
I LOVE the way this turned out! It looks fantastic!
thanks so much Heidi!
Robin and Mike….This is absolutely beautiful!! It did bring more warmth to the kitchen and such an efficient set-up
for the microwave and coffee area!! Awesome job!!
I think what you have done here definitely warms up your kitchen. I would love to see a new photo of the entire kitchen looking from the breakfast bar.
thanks Delcie! What a good idea for a photo…I’ll see if I have one or take one soon ! Have a lovely day my friend ox
I have a small apartment and keeping it organized is a challenge for me. I have always thought my microwave needs a built-in cabinet just like many home designs I have seen and then I saw your project. Hmm, I don’t need to spend for cabinet installation. I have an open shelf which would do just fine as the new place for my small kitchen appliances and other kitchen stuff. Thanks for the idea.
Your idea for your microwave sounds perfect Sarah! Good luck with your project my friend ox
I have just gotten that idea from you! 🙂 Keep up the good work.
I absolutely LOVE this! I’m going to get my fiancee to do this in the house we just purchased! Thank you so much 🙂
What did you do to the spot that the microwave used to be in?
So glad you like it Savannah! We put in an easy range hood…here’s the link in case you’d like to see it! http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/2014/10/easy-diy-range-hood/
Thank you!