I'm an interior designer and your microwave is making your kitchen look cheap

Nov 16, 2023

AN interior designer has shared some of the tacky mistakes he can't stand and it turns out where you put your microwave can make or break your kitchen.

Garrett Le Chic revealed the real reason why microwaves are often placed above ovens - and it's nothing to do with style.

According to the home expert, the only reason microwaves are put there is to save money.

"If you have the choice, please don't put that microwave above the cook top," he said.

"The truth of the matter is microwaves are put above cook tops because it's cheaper, because you don't have to buy a vent hood and a microwave.

"That's the only reason it's done, I don't want to hear anything else."

Ideally, the microwave should go in a "pantry space" so you can't see it altogether, Garrett said.

But if you don't room for that, putting it inside a cabinet or on the countertop is the best option.

That's not the only tacky mistake people make in their kitchens though, apparently the type of backsplash you have is going to make a huge difference.

Textured or mirrored backsplashes might fit the style your going for, but they're a nightmare to clean.

Garrett said: "They are literally there to protect walls because they get dirty, why are you going to put something that's difficult to clean in a space that is known to get dirty? Makes no sense."

Your top priority when picking a backsplash should be how easy it is to keep clean, and less grout it always better for the same reason.

When it comes to your kitchen cupboards, the interior designer recommended fitting more drawers instead of cabinets.

He explained: "Having drawers instead of those cabinets takes the most advantage of the cubic square footage in that cabinet because you can access more of it."

Not only that, but drawers are easier to keep organised than cabinets, so you won't have to root around looking to the pot you need.

Another big no-no for your kitchen are slanted vent hoods.

Even though they're often the cheapest option you'll end up paying for it by how much you'll have to clean it.

The slanted sides are prone to being covered in dust, grime and grease - which you don't want if you can avoid it, Garrett said.

Go for a built-in vent hood, or one without such a dramatic slope design instead.

"It's low key kind of disgusting and it you're not cleaning it all of the time it's constantly getting built up on there every single time you cook," he explained.