Hi, Aurora

Thank you for the ideas and inspiration pictures. The table is 36" tall with simple tapered legs. Right now it doesn't have casters. I certainly will consider making it a mobile under counter cart.

The first pic is my favorite and would work nicely with table legs that are tapered. I also just repurposed another piece of a butcher block into a console table for a casual family room.

I would put the fridge on the side with the sink next to the dishwasher and then put the boos table opposite. This way when you take food out of the fridge, you're not walking across the aisle to the sink, then back to the cooktop a second time. Plus then the fridge doesn't block the view from the entry on the right and instead you can enjoy the view of the table.

Plus if you angle the table at 90 degrees on the cooktop side like you did on the other side, it then syphons the walkway away from the cooktop making the cooktop somewhat safer.

Aurora, that is such a clever set up. I'm sure I could modify the table similarly.

CP, the tweak you've suggested is something I've considered when trying to improve the layout. On paper it looks like the cooking zone is unprotected but in real life traffic flows around it into the open space of the U. I hosted Thanksgiving last year and it was never an issue with multiple helpers in the kitchen. The Boos table was pushed out of the kitchen and we had plenty of room. It was great! Plus, I really like having the fridge close to the cooktop. Maybe I'm just used to it after 10 years with this kitchen.

The sink wall is the west side of the space. It gets into triple digits here in July and August, and I'm concerned about the refrigerator being adversely affected if I moved it to that wall. It already limps along in its current spot. There might be some way to shade the exterior wall or beefing up the insulation. Hmm, something else to consider.

I'm in FL so know about heat. Is there a way to put some sort of awning or even a pergola along the west side there? That could help with heat. Also I wouldn't design a whole kitchen around a fridge that is "limping along" as you'll probably need to replace it in the next several years and more up to date fridges are very well insulated.

Plus, I really like having the fridge close to the cooktop. Maybe I'm just used to it after 10 years with this kitchen.

Something to consider is that we as humans are highly adaptable so that even when something is not a great layout, we're able to adapt to the point where we consider it "fine". A case in point is the rental kitchen I've been in for almost 2 years. When I first moved here I was beside myself with the fact that there is a butterfly kitchen sink in the corner with the stove literally right next to the sink. No prep space between the two. It means i have to prep on the peninsula to the right of the stove. After 2 years, it feels almost normal and natural to me.

The other advantage is then the fridge is next to the banquette seating.

I've certainly adapted. My old kitchen had the sink and cooktop on an "L" (ideal imho), but the fridge was on the opposite side of the kitchen. I unloaded ingredient from the fridge onto the Boos table, which was between the fridge and sink. I got used to it. Then I moved into this house and hated the "U" shape. I even moved the refrigerator into the breakfast area for a while. The Boos table was in the fridge spot. Loved having it next to the cooktop. After a while I got tired of the fridge being so far away from everything so back it went into its original spot. Since then I use the pensinsula to unload then go to the sink then back to the peninsula then over to the cooktop. I'm used to that now and can't see how a different layout is really that much better than what I have now.

I do have somewhat deep roof eaves (2'). A pergola would be doable. I was thinking a sailcloth or something like that. Though when it's 100 degree dry heat, shade doesn't help much. I'm going to investigate how I could improve the insulation on that wall as well. Agree having the fridge next to the banquette would be convenient, but wouldn't that break Sophie Wheeler's rule about having a tall fixture in the middle of a wall?

Below is another option I worked up today. I'm including the existing layout. I'm widening the laundry room, which is why I'm tinkering with the kitchen layout.

I don't think "C" is much better, but I do like the oven location. I'm hesitant to make any significant layout changes because I'm afraid I'll hate it and regret the expense and inconvenience.

I've toyed with L-shape layouts with an island, knocking down the cooktop wall, shuffling the appliances into the breakfast area. I could care less if I had an island or not. My preference would be to have the sink and cooktop on the same wall or connected on an "L". And convenient landing space around the refrigerator.

Two primary things about the current kitchen layout I want to change; the dishwasher in the corner of the "U" and the blind corners. So, I'm focusing on fixing those issues while keeping my current appliances.

I do appreciate your input!