I prefer to place ref next to wall

The way you have it, it will work fine.

2nd option. It allows for more working space around the stove. We have our fridge next to the dining area and you are right it isn't a nice look. Ours will eventually have a built in around it, if we ever get to it. So if you go route 1 I would look into building or having someone build a built in cabinet to cover the side of the fridge.

Close you eye and cook a meal with both scenarios. Grab the pots and pans. Get the stuff from the fridge. Chop the onions. Throw dirty stuff in dishwasher as you cook. Toss scraps in integrated trash can. Which is more efficient? Which one has you take that extra step.

Oh I didn't even notice the dishwasher there for a second. You may not like the look of the dishwasher and fridge next to one another. I didn't when we were changing around our layout. That's why we now have the fridge on the end and put a cabinet in between.

Your layout is similar in size to ours with dining table in the same place and living space at the front. Though mine has a wall between two doorways on either side. Have you considered moving the sink? You don't have windows listed so I'm not sure if there is currently a window above the sink. Our old kitchen had the fridge where the it is in your second layout and stove was on the end of the other wall beside a knee wall. We now have West side - 15" cabinet stove, 21 " cabinet 49" corner. On North wall - spacer next to the corner, 12" cabinet, 36" sink cabinet, 24" dishwasher, 24" cabinet, Fridge. I find this layout works really well for function and it's also allows the most light for us.

Couple of issues that I see. Sink location is not the best. It is too close to the corner and most people are right handed preferring the dishwasher on the right. Placing the fridge next to the dishwasher restricts the door unless you use a 3 to 4 inch filler which doesn't necessarily look the best but is functional.

Although much more work is involved you could do something on the line of the sketch below. Add a half wall between the dining area and the kitchen affixing the bench seat as a built-in creating a dining nook. Put a tall pantry cabinet in the corner with the fridge next to it bringing it closer to the work area. Add a prep sink into the island with a disposer for veggie scraps unless you recycle.

Option 2 works best, but slide the stove to the right so you get more space between the sink and the stove.

Thanks for your comments everyone! Good ideas to think about.

We currently have a window above the sink and more on the right end along the dining and living room. Also not noted here is a skylight above the island spot. I do get the cramped location issue with the sink... but I do like the sink next to the window. My current apartment has the dishwasher to my left and it doesn't bother me too much. As for the range, we'll be getting a newer, bigger one that's 36" so it will need to be centered appropriately at the far wall. I've considered putting the range+oven built into the island, but that would make venting difficult especially with the skylight already there.

For additional reference here's some photos of the house we'll be moving in to and where we're starting from. We're going to need to knock down some walls. :)

I like the first one. The run ending with the fridge doesn't need to be unsightly if you put lovely side panels on it, or go fully built in. Spend the $ on side panels that match your cabinets (as opposed to the standard flat ones) and it will just blend in seamlessly. In addition, in the second picture where the fridge is up against the wall, you will never be able to open the doors fully if you get an armoire style or a side by side. You would have to get a left side opening standard freezer on top fridge for that to work. Of bigger concern to me would be the space between the fridge and the bench in pic 1.

I would seriously consider a banquette seating option in the corner. It saves a ton of space and would make that fridge less of an issue. Here is the one I put in my kitchen remodel. I got much greater seating capacity than if If I tried to put a table/chairs in. Kids love them, and they encourage people to come in and lounge while you are cooking! :) And the bench under the seat is hollow, which provides a lot of storage for seasonal items, party platters, etc.

These are two scenarios similar to yours in layout #1. Adding the end panels makes it look much more finished, integrated and it presents as part of the cabinetry from the side rather than an appliance. The second picture shows the more expensive true panels that match the cabinetry. The first pic is the standard flat side panel.