Colored Microwave Ovens

Tara Gosselin Interior Design Expert

Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.

Updated 14/04/2021

Something fun for the kitchen, and complementary of you can pair it with the other matching appliances, is the colored microwave oven. There is something just whimsical about a purple microwave, or one that has a vintage look of the fifties. It is not only interesting, but will always make you smile whenever you use it. And they work as well as regular models.

Buying Guide

Selecting small appliances for the kitchen is a challenge for some, and the microwave oven is no exception. Instead of choosing a standard black or stainless steel model, considering color microwave ovens is an interesting way of adding unique style and interest to your decor. You'll find this is especially true if you're purchasing this microwave for a dorm room or small apartment. With that in mind, we’ve put together this buying guide to help you sort through your decisions.

How to decorate with colored microwave ovens?

There’s something about adding pops of color in unexpected places when decorating kitchens. By adding colored microwave ovens, you’re changing up the space in an exciting way. For example, if your kitchen is tan or features stone tile, you could incorporate a purple microwave over. Another example is if you have black fixtures and white cabinetry, you could use orange or red colored microwave ovens.

Creating a vintage look is also possible by combining pastel colored microwaves with accessories and elements. If you’re decorating a dorm room, the possibilities are endless. You could select the student’s favorite color, one that matches the colors they’re already featuring in their room, or their school’s color.

How to integrate a colored microwave oven with kitchen decor?

It’s possible to integrate colored microwave ovens into kitchen décor in a myriad of ways including:

Recessing them into the wall to create a clean and cohesive look that saves space.
Grouping it with other appliances like installing it above a second oven, for example.
Hiding it behind a cabinet door on the counter.
Adding a trim kit to shelving it’s sitting on to create a finished look.

What types of colored microwave ovens are there?

Just as there are many colors available, you'll find several categories as well. Here are some examples:

Built-in or Countertop: these models will either sit on the countertop or tuck onto a shelf. If they're on a shelf, they look like they're built-in and save space on the counter. Some of these models have mounting kits allowing them to mount within cabinetry, under countertops, and on the wall.
Drawer-style: you'll find these most often installed in islands for those who have limited counter space.
Over the range: this is the most common microwave for kitchens with space limitations because they feature a light and vent underneath.

How to maintain colored microwave ovens?

When selecting colored microwaves, consider how often it will be in use. Answering this question is particularly important if this microwave is going into a dorm room. The main reason is that, if it’s going to have considerable use, the need for purchasing a high-quality microwave featuring optimal cubic feet and wattage is critical. Otherwise, it won’t as long as its intended purpose.

Cleaning a colored microwave on the outside is a bit different than a standard black or stainless model. Because you don’t want to damage the color, avoid using bleach or harsh chemical cleaners. Under some circumstances, those substances could cause the color to fade. Otherwise, mild household cleaners are safe to use.