What about this concept?

Thanks, Mark - I am really looking forward to the pocket door into laundry, so don't want to give that up. I also think from seeing it framed that I wouldn't like not having the coat hooks right there on the and of the wall as they are now.

Also, we ditched the bi-fold doors in the laundry. Current plan (if I don't do the fridge idea) is for 2 full-size regular doors there.

It seems like the right thing to do since you have all the baking supplies to be stored. You can find creative ways to storage solutions to maximize the space you have left in the laundry closet

I like Mark's idea although I get why you wouldn't want to push your mudroom area further away from the main family entrance.

What aspect of the fridge doesn't fit? the depth? Could the door of the pantry be shifted/expanded 'downwards'? It'd mean reducing or losing the 1' shelf on the 'bottom' wall, but you could still have peg-board storage on that wall or in-stud storage cupboard

Guessing you don’t want to spend money on a new fridge, but what about a counter depth fridge? I have one in my kitchen now and LOVE how items don’t get as lost at the back. I was apprehensive buying one due to list storage...but needed the depth for the walkway into our kitchen.

I want the pocket door because I am guessing it will rarely be closed so it will be neatly out of the way and tucked in the wall, but it just occurred to me that the pocket door won’t work if we have the fridge on that back pantry wall!!!! Ahhhhhh

I think Mark's idea is the best. On the wall in the mudroom where the fridge is bumped out, you can add a few additional hooks for things like dog leashes, etc.

I don't have a good solution (other than getting a different fridge....building around a specific appliance seems silly...with MY luck, I'd do that and then have the fridge die 2 months later) :) I just wanted to support the pocket door to the laundry room...I have one and LOVE mine. I am currently kicking myself for not making the door to my master bath a pocket door---My husband loves that after we built a custom home, I am still finding things for him to do/change---

But what is it about the fridge that it doesn't fit? Wouldn't damiarain's idea to move the door down work? There's always a use for a flat wall, to hang aprons, tea towels, instructions.

damairain - I considered moving that wall, but I don't want to give up the 1 ft. shelving on that entire wall. I need all the pantry space I can get for cans and small appliances, etc.

pwanna1 - ahhhhhh!! don't say that about wishing your door to master bath was a pocket door! I had mine that way originally and so many people here shot it down and said I would regret it, that we changed it. LOL I have never lived with pocket doors, but everyone said it would be too noisy and one spouse using it would disturb the other one if they were sleeping.

How much room do you need to get the refrigerator to fit?

I will have to get specific measurements tonight.

RE: ACCESS HOLE FROM HOUSE TO GARAGE FOR CAT

Does this access hole have a fire-rated door?

Good question....IDK. I know we live in a rural area where there is no zoning (which is unusual here), so maybe it is not required? (Not saying it isn't a good idea though in any event)