I've always had them going all the way back, 24" deep. Why waste space, even if it IS excruciatingly hard to get to?

24" might be too deep, but 12" isn't deep enough for a lot of the bulky stuff that tends to get stored above the fridge.

we're going to pull our 24" deep one forward so it is line with the front of the fridge, then put a cab door on the side over the fridge to put things we don't need to access that often. Or maybe even cookie sheets. Haven't decided yet.

I like that idea. Fori, you are right, I may put baking sheets and cookie racks above. I can reach the front to pull them out, so the back space wouldn't be wasted.

Its a great place for cookie sheets and cutting boards and other large items.