Hi! I need a little help! We are putting in a new kitchen!

1. Is there a typical placement for a built-in wastebasket? In our current plan it is to the left of the dishwasher, but I was thinking it would be more convenient to the right of the sink since I'm right-handed?

2. I haven't decided where to put the microwave. The double oven is going over in the corner next to the 30" slide out pantry, and hubby says it can't go in the same cabinet (even though I've seen plenty of pictures where this has been done). I was thinking maybe just the right of it and then have the upper cabinets come all the way down to the countertop (see my drawing), OR, there is a pantry with bifold doors next to the refrigerator--I was thinking of knocking that wall out and adding a countertop there with upper cabinets (which would be an additional 38" to play with on that wall). We could incorporate the microwave either on the left or the right of the refrigerator.

3. In the old kitchen there was a little desk area at the end on the far wall of cabinets that the ovens are on which was only 20 inches deep and allowed a little more room for the walkway. I was thinking of just putting a 24" cabinet with drawers there instead--what is the minimum space I should allow for a walkway?

4. Would anyone keep the soffit--originally I thought it was kind of a cool architectural feature, but now I'm thinking knock it out (the ceilings are 12ft), and then do staggering heights of cabinets on the long cabinet wall.

Talk to me, peeps! You all are amazing and so helpful! ;)