Goodbye Microwave, Hello Range Hood!

Am I the only one that isn’t a fan of microwaves hanging above ovens?

For the past year I had been going back and fourth on changing out our appliances to stainless steel. I knew it was a smart choice and desperately needed, but I couldn’t get over the bulky microwave that would hang above our oven. After looking at all the microwave options, it seemed it was impossible to find one that wasn’t mostly black.

And that’s when I had the grand idea of swapping out our microwave for a range hood!

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At first my husband thought I was crazy…. but shortly after I introduced the idea, I had him convinced that a countertop microwave was the way to go. Our pantry had plenty of shelving so we added an outlet for the microwave and it fit perfectly.

Once the microwave was gone, we finished the subway backsplash and installed the ductless range hood. And when I say “we”- I’m referring to my handy husband. Although I will take some credit for the backsplash! Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures of that process. You can just imagine a pregnant lady trying to lay tile…let’s just say my belly pushed the stove on several times..whoops!

All our appliances are Whirlpool. I was very particular with our choices and wanted a refrigerator that had the filtered water inside the door so the outside had a clean look. I also highly recommend getting counter depth so that it lines up to the cabinets. Our range is a smart range that connects with our wifi so we are able to control from our phones. How crazy is that?! I also wanted as little black as possible so the front knobs are SS and there is no back. Overall, we are so thrilled with the upgrades and I highly recommend them. If you’re looking to update your appliances and like ours, you can shop them below!

 

If you haven’t been following our slow and steady kitchen remodel- here is a before shot with the white appliances. By removing the microwave and getting a backless stove, it really opened up the space.

I think it’s safe to say we are done with kitchen projects for a while now! After a year of DIY projects, our kitchen is finally where we want it to be. It has new floors, reclaimed wood island, no overhang above island, new lighting, subway backsplash, new appliances, range hood and a fresh coat of paint. Lots of learning, messes, and frustrations, but it was totally worth it for the end result!

If you want to see each step of the DIY process, check out DIY Subway Tile Backsplash, Removing the Island Overhang, DIY Reclaimed Wood Island Makeover, and Kitchen Update Lighting Reveal

So, have I talked you into to getting rid of that hanging microwave yet? We were surprised at how much easier it was than we had expected. I say, go for it!

Now that the kitchen is complete, we’re beginning our master bathroom remodel! Or at least, phase 1 of our bathroom remodel. We’ve been tearing down more soffits and learning how to repair drywall. Fun stuff! If you’re interested in seeing that process, subscribe to the Tuft & Trim newsletter and follow me on Instagram and Pinterest!