Post the layout for context. But 15" is your emergency landing spot for the range. You also need a landing space for the fridge. 24" for that would be ideal. When you are combining functions, you take the larger of the overlap functions and add 12"to it. So, 36" would be considered the minimum to fully satisfy both functions simultaneously.

I think fridge landing area is 15 min? So that would be 27 min for shared? I can dig it.

I'll get a new layout together.

Here's the latest plan that I plan to take to the nice lady tomorrow. I've had a lot of help and suggestions so far, which I really appreciated. I was considering swapping the 18" tray with the 30" pots and pans to get an extra foot of prep space but it seems like it would be a bad idea.

Here is a link that might be useful: U-shaped kitchen layout

This post was edited by robotropolis on Mon, Jan 13, 14 at 9:52

Have you considered taking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room to do an island? You could do prep on the island and have some seating for it to be a social center as well. It may not be as costly as you think.

Hi live_wire_oak! Thanks very much for the suggestion. The wall between is coming down completely. It gives me a 10 foot opening which I felt was a little too small for an island, although I REALLY WANTED an island so I would be easily convinced otherwise!

I discussed extending the opening into the formal living with my architect (which would give me a 12 foot opening). Here is my clumsy photoshop of that situation. I thought it might make my teeny tiny living room feel like a hallway.

Here's my dreary dining this morning on a sunny day (clearing out future kitchen for demo! Eeek!)

Here's the first floor plan (I have architect drawings too but this is clearer). Kitchen is moving to room marked "Den." There is a pinch point by the stair landing (grey tile) which means I don't have enough clearance to move the peninsula over to the patio door side.

This post was edited by robotropolis on Mon, Jan 13, 14 at 12:41

Hi Robo - how exciting to be getting this close!

My new kitchen has a corner similar to yours, between the sink and stove - about 18" on the sink side, and 24" on the range side. Admittedly, DH does most of the cooking in the house, but it feels like a really good distance. I think if you moved the stove a foot further away from the sink, it would feel like a long haul, and I agree with your feeling that the fridge would close you in on the right side.

I notice you have your super susan designated for baking pans, and your upper cabinet for sugar, flour, etc. Might I suggest reversing the two? I would rather be lifting a 10-lb bag of sugar from below than hoisting it up to a shelf above my head (but I'm short and lazy). If you put an extra shelf in the easy-reach, you won't have to stack anything. Obviously this has no impact on your cabinet ordering, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Hi annkh! U-shapers unite. Your kitchen is so personal and practical, I know you have great organizational advice and I really appreciate it! I'll try it both ways.