As long as you have an island for landing and more work space, I definitely vote for the oven and micro stacked, since I REALLY dislike OTR microwaves. It sounds to me like it meets your preferences, too. You are looking forward to having the oven up, which I appreciate, since I love mine up after a lifetime of ranges and low ovens...So in the other wall oven plan you don't gain enough, I don't think, to have to deal with an OTR microwave. (I don't like how low they are...How much they feel right in your face and how difficult it makes it to deal with pots, especially taller ones, on the back burners.)

I'm so sorry you no longer have your life teammate to help you out. I can only imagine how tough that would be.

Best wishes with your project.

I do notice that you allow only 31 inches for the fridge. Please make sure the fridge you are getting will fit in the space properly. There are only a few fridges at that width and none are side by side models. If you have your appliances already, I would like use of the kitchen in 1 best. G

I like layout number 1 with the sink closer to the range.

I think #1 seems to work and as I have no aversion to OTR microwaves I like #2 as well. In terms of appearance I actually like #2 better because the appliance are not side by side in the corner - it has better balance for me. It's a kitchen though so function should be a priority and I can appreciate the advantages of having the oven up higher.

Not a fan of #3 with the fridge in the corner - seems impractical - hinges may be adjustable but I would worry about hitting the wall with the door all the time.

It looks great, good luck!

I like the first choice, as I really dont like OTR microwaves. I think any range (pro and non-pro alike) should be properly vented. I'm sorry to hear about your husband, I wish you all the best!

greeneyed... I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. It must be both difficult and rewarding to go forward with the vision you both had.

I prefer the look of the hood in #1. I don't like the fans in the OTR MW. If you like the added expanse of the countertop in option 3 you could consider putting a MW that toasts as well in your island.

#3 would be my vote - love our OTR micro as it is out of the way and takes up less space for a small kitchen and you have more countertop space - don't like the in the wall oven idea for a small kitchen and you have no landing to put stuff on directly given the set up.

First, I am so sorry for your loss! I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you now. But at least you're carrying on a dream you both had! Hopefully, we can help you with the "bouncing off" part...at least partially since we, of course, could never replace him!

I prefer #1. No, I don't like OTR MWs either. However, there are other considerations as well:

Oven. I have found that a wall oven is so much easier to work with than a range. I'm probably of an age w/you and while I've had ranges all my life, when I started using our wall oven a few months ago I was so happy at how much easier it was to use...not just taking things out, but also being able to check on something w/o having to open the door or practically get on the floor to see inside!

Island. You have an island in front of the refrigerator & ovens. In my kitchen, I have landing space both on the side (right next to) and in front of my ovens and a wall on one side (similar to yours). I find that I use the landing space in front of the ovens the vast majority of the time. You do tend to stand more to the side of a wall oven (at least I do) and it's natural to take something out and pivot slightly to the right (left in your case) to put the item down. To put it on the counter next to it, I'd have to move out of the way to put it down. Even standing in front of the open oven, the peninsula in front is still closer than the counter next to the ovens. So, if you're like me, then I think that even if you had landing space on the side, you'd still use the island!

Just be sure you have at least a 42" aisle b/w the island and the refrigerator...to have room to open the refrigerator & be able to (1) stand in front of it, (2) take out drawers for cleaning, and (3) have room for someone to pass behind. We have a 32" space b/w our refrigerator & peninsula (2nd peninsula, we have 2) and while it's enough room for #s 1 & 2, it isn't for #3. [One of the consequences of our KD's mis-measurements...we were supposed to have 42"!]

Hood. There is no comparison b/w an OTR MW & "real" hood. A regular vent hood is far more effective than OTR MW at venting. Oh, and it also looks much nicer! :-)

MW. Even at 5'10" I find my sister's OTR MW too high to work safely with. You have to reach over a hot stove and, in my sister's case, a flame to get to something inside the MW. It's not at a height that makes it easy to check what you're cooking or stir w/o taking it out. It makes it more difficult for 2 people to work in the kitchen AND if someone is coming if for a snack (or whatever), s/he will be in the cook's way!

In #1, both the MW & refrigerator are on the periphery so that others may get to them w/o interfering with those prepping, cooking, or cleaning up...yet they're also close to those same work zones for ease of use by those in the kitchen.

Refrigerator. I also echo others' concern about the refrigerator space. If you are basing it on an existing refrigerator, check to see how much space new refrigerators need as yours will not last forever and you will eventually have to replace it. I would recommend at least 33-1/2" of space there. It may mean reducing the counter to the left of the range to 24", but that's still enough workspace, I think, especially as you will have an island in front of it for prep/workspace as well. If you already have a refrigerator in mind, is that enough space for it?

Do you think you might get a larger one in the future? I don't really know the future of refrigerators. I have noticed that they appear to be getting taller, but I don't know about width. They could go either way.

Sink Wall. Consider doing the sink wall w/the longer distance b/w the cooktop & sink (15" drawers b/w the corner cab & sink). You don't want them too close together for two people working there. That 15" cabinet could be a trash pullout and would be very convenient for the cooktop, island, and sink for cooking, prepping, and cleanup, respectively.

You didn't say, but do you have children who will also be working in the kitchen or even friends when you have them over? I personally think that if at all possible all kitchens should be designed so that at least 2 people can work in them.

Half-wall. Is it possible to move it out another 3" toward the other room? OR, consider the bump out you show in option #2. Either way would give more room behind the sink and more room for your faucet, etc. With the half-wall, you not only have the wall behind it, but you also lose space back there b/c of the overhang of the counter/ledge on the half-wall.

Also, if you intend that ledge be used (and it probably will, regardless of your intent!), then I would consider making it at least 9" deep to have room for things on it w/o them teetering.

Sink. This is just curiosity...do you plan an undermount or drop in sink? The pic shows drop in. Speaking as someone who had drop in all her life and now has an undermount...I will never go back to drop in! It's so much easier to clean around and there's no rim for crumbs, etc. to catch on or to clean under/around.

I hope this all helps! Keep us posted on your kitchen. And remember, we're here for you if you have any questions or just need someone to vent to!

Good luck!

I cannot thank all of you enough for your feedback and your kind words regarding my husband.

footballmom....We've always had a 30" fridge and it worked for our small family of 3. I will be keeping that in the garage so I will have extra room if I need it. The fridge for the remodel is 30 7/8". It's a Fisher Paykel and I liked it because it has the freezer on the bottom and is counter depth. There are not a lot of small counter depth refrigerators out there.

Buehl....thanks for all the "bouncing". You are making me think about things I forgot even though I've combed this site over and over. I will definitely measure the distance from fridge to island. It's a small island and I think it will work. The plan calls for a 15" pull out trash between the corner cabinet and the sink which places it right between the cooktop and sink just for the reason you state. Our son is out on his own now so it's just me but when he's over or family/friends are here it's always the kitchen we hang out in. I can move the wall 3" out and was also planning on the ledge to have about an 8-9" over hang (it's so relieving to know I was thinking in the right direction) but I didn't think about the space behind the faucet. I am also putting in a copper apron front sink. That was the first thing we talked about for the new kitchen and he loved the idea so I'm very excited about having that piece in the plan.

This has helped tremendously and I would love to keep everyone posted. Most of all thank you so much for letting me know I can return for more questions or just to talk!

I am also sorry for your loss. I don't know how I would have handled if I were in your situation.

I prefer #1 because I also dislike OTR microwaves. This option will also give you the opportunity to put in a good exhaust fan rather than the weak ones most OTR units seem to have.

All of Buehl's advice is excellent.

Thanks nuccia. It's taken me a year to get this far because everytime I would get into it, I'd get upset and have to stop. It's a healing process and I'm looking forward to completing a project we both started. He'd be happy.

Thoughts about switching the orientation of the wall oven and fridge to solve the possible problem of the fridge door hitting the oven handles? The fridge door would not hit the wall since the wall extends only 24" from the counter and then there's a bay window.

I'm having a hard time finding a refrigerator (needs to be 30-32" wide and bottom freezer) that I can put next to the wall oven so I think I may have to go with option 3. I was thinking that maybe I would put a hood over the range and put in a microwave drawer instead. What do you think?

You mentioned the possibility of switching oven and fridge a few days ago. Why not do that instead of giving up your oven? It's not quite as handy as having it right next to counterspace, but not bad. And I think it'll give you more clearance in front of it when you open the door and the island might have crowded it a bit before?

Each and every one is less than 32" wide:

Fisher Paykel E522B or E522BRXFDU
Amana Easy Reach and Plus
KitchenAid Architect Series II KBRS19KT
LG French door LFC20760
Whirlpool Gold GB9SHDXP
GE GDSC0KCX or Profile PDSF0MFX

BIG MONEY
Liebherr CS160
Miele Independence Series KF1801
Heartland Classic 3015 or Legend 3065

Kinky
Elmira 1896 30"
Smeg FAB28URR

bmorepanic....thanks for the info. I was going for the Fisher Paykel but when I called to ask about it's placement next to a wall oven they said no way. Same with the Kitchenaid which was my next choice. You would think that with the way appliances are made these days this wouldn't be a problem but it is. With my small kitchen, 11 x 12, there won't be much space between the two appliances. This is a hard process. So glad I have this forum for help.

I think your appliance dealer does not have current information (that's the kindest way I can put it). The fisher paykel documentation makes no reference to wall ovens and altho the ka docs do, I imagine its ignored quite frequently.

I think its because they can't control the age of the wall ovens or guess how much heat the oven produces.

Good point. I know I read a thread on wall ovens next to the fridge and I didn't see any issues. Guess they are just trying to protect themselves if there is a problem.