I will be able to take measurements and draw up a floorplan next Friday, when we have inspection!

many things can occur . I could see removing the small door to deck...instead French doors or patio slider....and close up small kitchen window. Then you get two walls to use for L shape: then an island works. Slider or French doors will give you the light which you aren't really getting from either small window or entry door. the point is, however , some waiting for appropriate thoughts and plans to develop is much smarter than chipping at "move fridge" or small maneuvers. You are willing to open it up.....so look at the first floor as a whole..and that includes connection with the back area [I see a deck!]. Posting the whole first floor will give you the feedback that is the most helpful.

@herbflavor - you're right; I am just excited about the purchase (our first home) and the possibilities for renovation. I'll post more detailed plans when I have them, and will try to stop stressing over the partial information I have in the meantime!

a first home is really a happy time. Get out and love your yard and so forth...it's that time of year. Having a garden [almost more than anything ]was the most fun and interesting part of having a property for me. Plantings mature with time: kitchens and walls can be torn up and redone in a short span for pretty immediate results. So think about your space inside, but really …..don't rush. Cheers.

Is there a doorway to somewhere--basement, pantry, garage--next to the refrigerator?

@bpathome-oh-my - yes! There's a basement door there (it's a split level house).

A counterdepth fridge?

Congrats on your new home! With a little more money, it will be a fun renovation....

1. Remove the door. Seal up/drywall that space.

2. Turn the window into a slider. (May have to add stairs or small decking to outside now...)

3. Remove all those cabs/hanging cabs.

4. Go all the way to the new slider with counter/cabinets. Don't try to work around that layout.

Spend a little money now and do it right....

Grab the Consumer.Reports.Kitchen.Planning.and.Buying.Guide.April.2018, also the August 2018 issue (Refrigerators, Washers, Dryers)

This is easy. You're in luck. The window opening is already framed at the height of the door, so there is no structural issue with moving the door into that opening. Piece of cake.

You do have to have to deal with the baseboard heat, but that's it. Plus, you can put a window in the opening where the door was. Win/win.

A new house is very exciting and I know first-hand how difficult it is to be patient! I've also learned from experience the value of patience and professional design help. But first, celebrate! Second, be patient. Live with your kitchen a while--just from the photos this house looks like a gem and your kitchen space has tons of potential. Learn how you use the space, how you want to use it. Other commenters are exactly right: avoid little changes--they're often a waste of money in the long-run; and evaluate kitchen remodeling in the context of the entire first floor. For me, it's a matter of natural light and a flow among rooms that complements--or at least doesn't frustrate--the way I live. (You don't have to remodel your entire first floor or break the bank.) Finally, I heartily recommend finding a kitchen design professional with whom you feel compatible, who can help you clarify and prioritize your objectives, and work within your budget. I've spared myself a lot of heartache and misspent money by relying on the help of pros. Congratulations!