I am jealous. I would love to have the chaos if it means I can update my 1978 kitchen. My DH hates the time and frustration with fixing up anything so I just spend the extra on sewing.
My opinion is you can put a crock pot, toaster oven, coffee pot etc. just about anywhere except the bathroom and a teenager's bedroom. We put our electric griddle outside to make bacon. Love the bacon, hate the smell that lingers.
We bought an electric double burner buffet server (under $50 and comes in handy during the holidays) when we were waiting for a new stove to be delivered (long story). There are some things that we simply won't use a microwave for.