I've been following your threads. I like the option with the refrigerator in the center. here's why...

1. It keeps people just coming to the refrigerator farther away from you while cooking
2. it allows more space if someone is at the refrigerator and someone is at the sink/oven
3. it allows the counterspace under the micro to be near the oven, etc which would be great if you just need somewhere to set something during a holiday or if your counters are crowded.

HTH

Initially, I didn't think I'd like option 1. But, I agree. In your space, Option 1 is the way I'd do it--the landing space under the microwave, accessible to the oven is reason I like it above option 2.

I like the way #2 looks better, but #1 might be more functional.

I guess it would depend on how you and your family personally USED the space. Do you use the microwave as part of cooking/preparing? Or is it used mostly to grab leftovers from fridge, microwave, and take it to table to eat (option 2 better)? How often do you use doorway/dining area that does get boxed in in option 2? I guess I would try to visualize myself doing what is done most with the 2 different options.

I'm gonna say #1 because like stated above it will be much more useful to have that landing space below the micro near the range. Option 2 will have that space become a useless junk collector. #1 all the way!

Option # 1 gets my vote. The refrigerator is too obtrusive in that spot in option #2.

I like layout 1, but the 36" end cab in #2 better. I'd rather not have the small cab on top of 2 med/tall ones than just having the 2 tall ones. If it helps, it would save you money on the cabs and installation also.

I like option #1 best. The refrigerator looks more natural in the center and it seems more functional to have the extra counter space in the kitchen area rather than in the breakfast nook area. Additionally, I think having more clearance where the fridge opens will be more comfortable.

Oh wow, these are terrific replies! Thank You! You are all giving us Lots of food for thought.

It seems that Option #1 is the clear favorite so far (I admit that this is my favorite as well!)

legallin raised a good point about personal usage. (Thank you!) I probably should have mentioned that the microwave will actually be a Microwave/Convection Oven (an OTR model). Since it can vent, I was thinking of keeping the coffee maker under it (we only make coffee on weekends). And the rice cooker could go there too, but only when in use, (which isn't very often).

For a microwave, we mostly just use it to reheat leftovers or defrost/cook frozen things (favoring option #2).

But, as a convection oven, I would (hope!) that we will use it to cook small meals, bake cookies, etc. (favoring option #1) - but we don't have a history of using a convection oven to go by. =/

As for walkway usage, it's hard to say. We have yet to use our whole house, since it's been undergoing renovations since we bought it. I'm going to have to put some thought into that. The bedrooms are upstairs and the dining room is the fastest route to the kitchen, followed by the foyer hall. The garage hallway will be used when we enter and leave the house (guests will use the main door and enter at the foyer). I would think that we will spend a lot of time in the den, as will guests, so that should be a higher traffic area.

Such great input! Please keep it coming! And thank you, again! :)

When I look at the first picture of Option 2, I am visualizing the fridge door opening as someone enters the room from the garage or dining room. Sure, there is still room to get around the open door, but they have to be expecting it.

I use mine to defrost, too, which means it's handier nearer the stove. After your description, I'd stick with #1.

Are you going to be able to consider a counter-depth fridge? Still will stick out some from 24", but maybe not as much?

I think 1 is much better. The counter space remains part of the kitchen. It will be easier to use that space to pack things up that need to go in the fridge, get things out of the fridge ready for use, etc. The passageways work better.

This is the problem with option 1. The red squares represent the occupied chairs. The red lines are the ref doors open and the micro open. (I guess I could have done the dw open - its door when down is around 28").

The blue boxes around the chairs are transition space used when getting into or out of the chair. The green arrows point at possible sit-down space for refrigerator items.

Is this one of those instances where the frig could be recessed a bit?

colorfast: Eek - yes, getting hit with a door in Option #2 would not be good at all! (Thanks for your reply!)

rhome410: We did consider counter depth, but it wasn't enough space for our family. (We don't have an extra fridge or freezer anywhere.) The full depth french door fridge has already been purchased. :( Why was the kitchen designed so narrow!? Argh!!

waterdamage: Thank you for your vote!

bmorepanic: Wow - thank you for the illustration. Boy, is it depressing! I'm at a loss now. Is there a solution (that doesn't require spending a fortune)? Should we go back to DH's original layout that had two 15" wide pantries flanking the fridge, stick the microwave/convection oven over the range, and forget putting anything behind the nook area? Or maybe we should lose the 2 chairs by the nook? That won't solve the fridge traffic though - but I don't think there is a solution for that. Any suggestions?

cluelessincolorado: Behind the fridge wall is a stairwell that leads to the basement, and above the stairwell are stairs leading to the 2nd floor. We are pretty sure it is load bearing. I don't think we can recess into it without a huge expense (which we can't afford).

Rats. I thought we had figured out with Option #1, now I'm completely confused again.

Non-comprehensive things in order of simplicity:

--- Lose a chair.
--- Use a 24" micro cabinet and base, everything slides 6" and at least the ref door has no possibility of hitting a chair or head. No trim kit.
--- Variation if micro hasn't been purchased, use the 24" wide drawer micro in the base cabinet. Pricey, but could work well for you.

Don't give up - there's a lot of possibilities and the zombie apocalypse hasn't happened yet.

I loved my micro/convection, and used it more than my stove, so I would go with option one to have it handy for cooking.

BTW, what layout software are you using -- it looks great. Is it easy to use?

bmorepanic: Thanks for your suggestions (and the laugh - I needed that!) :)

I was hoping to use the 30" base cabinet for small appliance storage, plus we really don't have the budget for a microwave drawer. But, removing one of the two chairs by the pantry is a nice, easy solution! (We only need seating for 4 anyway, the extra seating would be for guests.) Phew!

If need be, we could even make the pantry 12" deep to allow for more room behind the nook. DH wants to use the kitchen and eating area for a while before we commit to the pantry dimensions. (We should have a functional "L" plus fridge in a few weeks.) So, to be on the safe side, we won't buy the microwave or install the fridge wall cabinetry just yet until we've gotten a good feel for the space. :)

legallin: Thanks for your reply! DH uses Chief Architect (version X2, I believe). He said it is pretty easy to use, (but he is a computer geek, and may not be the best example). He mentioned that there is a consumer version too.

Thank you all, again!