Moving the oven or microwave out of the countertop line frees up counter space and puts hot food at a comfortable height. But built-in appliances only look built-in if the cabinet around them fits. That starts with knowing which cabinet type matches which appliance, and with having exact appliance specs before you order.
Good to know
Cutouts are often finished on site
Many appliance cabinets come with an opening that is meant to be adjusted during installation, because appliance sizes vary so much between brands and models. The appliance's installation guide, not the cabinet, sets the final cutout.
Common built-in appliance cabinets
Double oven cabinet
A tall cabinet with one large vertical opening for a double wall oven or an oven/microwave combination unit, usually with a drawer or doors below and storage above. The big opening makes it flexible across many models; the trade-off is that a smaller appliance leaves more filler space above and below.
Single oven + microwave cabinet
A tall cabinet split by a fixed shelf and rail: wall oven below, built-in microwave above. On some designs the divider can be removed to create one opening for a combination unit, which also frees up room for a deeper drawer below.
Single oven cabinet
Tall cabinet with one oven opening, typically with drawers or doors underneath and storage above. Check width carefully: 27 in and 30 in wall ovens need different cabinets.
Microwave cabinets (base, wall, tall)
- Base microwave cabinet: puts a drawer microwave or a trimmed built-in microwave under the counter. Great for islands.
- Wall microwave cabinet with trim kit: a built-in microwave with a manufacturer trim kit set into a wall cabinet opening.
- Wall microwave shelf cabinet: a finished open shelf that holds a regular countertop microwave off the counter.
Myth vs. fact
Myth: any microwave can go in a microwave cabinet
A regular countertop microwave needs space to vent and wasn't designed to be enclosed. For a true built-in look, choose a model rated for built-in use with its matching trim kit, or a drawer microwave. Otherwise use an open shelf with the clearances the maker specifies.
What to collect before you order
- Cutout width
- From spec sheet
- Not the appliance outside width
- Cutout height
- From spec sheet
- Cutout depth
- From spec sheet
- Check against cabinet depth
- Wall oven widths
- 24, 27, 30 in
- Common sizes
- Tall cabinet depth
- 24 in
- Typical
- Exact model numbers for every built-in appliance.
- Installation guides with cutout dimensions, ventilation needs and electrical location.
- Door swing for side-opening ovens.
- Trim kit part numbers for built-in microwaves.
Mistakes to avoid
- Ordering cabinets before appliances are chosen, then finding the cutout doesn't match.
- Placing an oven next to a wall with no room for the door to swing or for a landing spot beside it.
- Forgetting that cut edges and cabinet interiors may show when a microwave doesn't fill the opening.
- Putting the microwave so high that lifting hot liquids out becomes a stretch.
Tip
Hand it to your installer
Share the appliance installation guides with your installer and electrician before install day. They need the cutout sizes and the outlet location.
Lay out your tall cabinets in the Prontto planner to see how ovens, pantry and refrigerator line up, and read the planning guide for the full appliance checklist.