in the current layout there is an entryway by the refridge that leads to the dining room which is on the other side of the pantry wall. there are 2 openings into the kitchen from the dining area.

Moving the fridge doesn't actually gain you counter space on the left of the stove because you wouldn't ever use that space. Anyone goes from fridge to sink to stove when working in the kitchen. So you should either make a purpose for that space to the left of the stove (microwave? snack area?) or redesign the layout.

Ideally, your appliances would go in that order (fridge, sink, stove) but I don't think that is possible in your kitchen. While you are altering that pantry closet wall, can you open it wider to the dining room so you can keep the fridge in its current location and have more space in front of the fridge? Then have an island (about 4' wide) parallel to fridge and stove. Probably room for 2 stools at the island.

Or, if that entry to the dining room is rarely used by non-cooks, you can make a peninsula with seating instead of the island, preferably with a prep sink, which would make a work triangle with the stove and fridge. Then the main sink becomes your clean up sink.

Also, a Kohler Whitehaven apron sink only sticks out an inch past counters. You shouldn't have an aisle less than 36, but if your layout has a bit more space or if you do have a movable island, I think you can get your apron sink.

@bdicker: we did contemplate that set up with swapping the tall pantry & refrigerator in the layout, but wasn't sure that would look okay if refrigerator was deeper than pantry (looking into kitchen) making it look smaller too close to nook table & also function-wise if it made sense to locate further away from sink/stove areas

@emilyam819 : we've toyed around with the idea of knocking wall down altogether for 1 grand room open concept but wall is sheer & load bearing so definitely an undertaking.

In the new design above, the doorway between pantry & existing fridge is widened. The side pantry will be closed off and open to the front. Do you think I should just leave the fridge where it is in the corner since it would now have better access? Rather than moving to Pantry wall? I guess my thought for expanding the back counter top is that the current space is so small & currently has toaster & rice cooker so can't really use area for counter prep while I cook. Originally designer had put microwave in the spot like you recommended but I opted to move it to pantry wall.Was that not a good idea? Can you clarify what you meant regarding placement of island. In design it is perpendicular to oven. Il

If you move the fridge, either spot for microwave is good. Most food to be microwaved comes from the fridge. In which location can you also store microwavable bowls and waxed paper (or other covers so food doesnt splatter)? Where would you prefer kids or someone else to be while using microwave (out of the cook's way)?

If you want a stationary island, i think you have to keep the fridge where it is, because there isnt enough aisle clearance either way. then rotate the island 90 degrees so it is perpendicular to the sink.

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately i don't think an island 90 degrees would work. If we keep the refrigerator in the existing back corner, we wouldn't leave that area on the pantry wall blank. The wall is weight bearing/sheer so would replace with more cabinetry. It would be as deep as refrigerator bc could put 24 deep cabinet. If we flip island orientation I think we'd end up in the same situation without walkway clearance widthwise

Sorry meant cabinets *wouldn't be as deep as fridge

So i think you should move the fridge back and make a pantry/micro/coffee/rice cooker station on that pantry wall instead. Depending on your budget, you can even make those cabinets 18" deep instead of 24" to make the walkway bigger. There are some extremely cool cabinet organizer options out there for small appliances and the like. Make it work hard for you! Than keep the island in the same direction. You will have room for a cabinet island and maybe even an overhang with 2 stools at the end of it!

I agree, I think the rolling island is the worst option.

If you do the island, make it align with the end of the sink counter.

What is "south" of the breakfast nook? Are you willing to lose the bay window? Changing the window might be way cheaper than removing the wall and it might allow you to re-do the kitchen to be much more functional.

Do you have a plan of the whole floor you can post?

You need to either keep the existing layout, or do an addition of space from another room, or move. An island does not work in this kitchen. Math rules over dreams.