I don't know your whole layout, but we had our fridge just across from our island with probably about 6" in between the end of the open door and the island. You stand in front of the open fridge, beside the open door...It's not like you have to fit in that 7". As long as it opens the right direction, so you're not trying to get around the door with hands full of food, jars, etc., I think you'll be OK. I don't think 2" will help, and like you say, it will just throw off your lighting and spacing at the other end.

i agree. no one will be able to pass by when the fridge is open. so what? i don't think we have any more than 7" between the open door and the island and i've never noticed it being a problem.

I know it's not optimal and it's definitely a disappointment in a new kitchen, but I really don't think it'll be that bad.

Currently (cramped 70's kitchen), we have a 1" clearance, and we survive ok. It causes a little bottleneck once or twice a day, but the moment passes quickly enough -- it's a minor annoyance, and although minor annoyances can build up into MAJOR frustration, this particular one doesn't for our family.

We will change it in our remodel (would love to have a French door but not sure we'll be able to), but as rhome correctly points out, when you're standing in front of the open fridge, you kind of stand inside the door. And you don't always have it open to 90 degrees. So it's not horrible.

Chin up! If nothing else, it'll discourage endless contemplation of fridge contents, which will save you a few pennies here and there.

Chris

Well, I'm glad that no one so far thinks I will have to redo the kitchen. :-)

Now here's the update: The appliance store says that I probably can swap out to a French door fridge.

Will that make enough of a difference that it's worth swapping? I'm guessing the space would go from 7" to 19" or so.

Wondering if you have a layout you can post before we say yes or no. Is it a busy area that people would need to be passing by when the doors are open? Do you WANT a french door refrigerator. Some love them, some don't.

The other thing to consider with the French door is that one door, even though half-width, will open toward the direction you were previously opening one door away from...so it could be slightly in your way. Probably not a big deal, but a personal preference thing you might want to think over and weigh against the additional space between the fridge doors and the island.

i'd swap it out *unless*, as rhome points out, doing so will compromise your 'landing' space on the side where you weren't planning to have a door swinging.

if your island is your landing space, as it is in our kitchen, then it's worth changing it out, imo.

I guess I wouldn't worry about it - you open the door to take something out or put something in - it's not a good idea in any case to leave the door open for long - if someone needs to pass by they can wait a few seconds.

I think the French door might end up being more of a nuisance than the single door frig because you're generally standing to the side of a single door & really would end up standing in front of the French Door a lot of the time.

Since it's an island, I don't see it as a real problem bottleneck; if someone needs to get past, then they can go around the other end of the island, right?

I will have a similar situation--also allowing around 48'' between end of island & frig. I've mostly ruled out the FD model for the reasons I just mentioned. That, and I think that and I'd end up adding one more step nearly every time I needed something from the frig.

I wouldn't worry about it. If you really want a French Door instead then go for it but if you don't I wouldn't change because of this clearance issue.

How long do you stand in front of your fridge with it open at one time? If someone can't wait that long to pass then they could go around couldn't they? Whoever is using the fridge will be standing beside the open door - not at the end of it - as was pointed out above.

We have 36" between the base cabs and island. the fridge is 48". Not been a problem. open, retrieve, shut the door.

Well, thanks to all of you! I feel much better about the whole thing.

We measured and tested, measured and tested, and it seems like it will work. But honestly it was hearing from so many others that this definitely will work that makes me feel comfortable keeping the fridge I prefer.

GW saves the day, once again!