That is actually not dead space it is a walkway and infringing on that will not work well for flow . The 2 chair idea where the table is a good one if you actually have DR near to the kitchen I don’t see that in the pics. No raised bar height at the island and no fancy shape either . IMO you have the right sized island for the space .If you post a to scale floor plan it helps a lot to get ides for new kitchen layout. Mark with measurements all windows doorways , walls etc. Explain what you love and what you don’t in the space too.Right now I would move the fridge to the desk area with a nice pullout pantry beside it but without seeing the actual floor plan I have no clue.

Nice kitchen. Why do you want to change the flow of cabinets and fridge? Just to change it up, or are you having functionality issues?

SO here is what I recommend. Here is a panorama. Gut all top cabinets, cabinets around oven/microwave and desk area. Spackle and fix dents and paint with Oystershell 864Benjamin Moore. Hang open concept shelves for white coffee mugs and stacks of white plates/ bowls. Buy shelves homedepot.sjv.io/LBQ4M and white wash to get them to match dining table. Keep existing counter tops and add a buffet in the window. You may have to buy 2 buffets to put side by side to extend to end of last window homedepot.sjv.io/rr7Ov Paint top of buffet to match counter tops. Paint all kitchen cabinets white with Titanium Infusion Colour https://amzn.to/3a272h7 Gut and install new stove http://bit.ly/CosmoStove Dining Chairs and table moved more to the middle of the room... 4 chairs homedepot.sjv.io/0oeyR Table homedepot.sjv.io/401yn Wayfair and home depot have convenient financing If you need light fixture ideas let me know. This kitchen would flow really well with what you have designed in the living room

I don’t like having anyone seated at an island with a cooktop. It makes splatter-burns possible if not probable. You have a dining space right there, a few steps from the island, so guests or family can sit there safely far from the cooktop but close enough to the cook for conversation. Enlarge or move the island if you want (also the plumbing or electrical), but don’t keep seating at the island. You will be replacing all of the flooring anyway.

Can you move the pantry to where the desk is and have the fridge and oven/micro in the area where the oven is now? Then you can move the cooktop to the area where the fridge currently is. Moving the fridge to the desk area may make it too many steps away and you will want a counter closer to it when you are either putting items in or taking them out. A floor plan with dimensions would be helpful. Hard to see how far everything is in the pictures.

I can see the appeal of having drinks close to the family room, but do you see the distance you'd have to go with stuff from the fridge to reach sink and/or stove? Would be terrible. Maybe you can redo the desk area as a beverage center with your coffee maker and a small fridge underneath for sodas or beers or whatever...

Does the wall with the pantry and ovens have to be diagonal like that? Because I can imagine it's making the corner next to the fridge nearly unusable. If it can't be straightened out, I might move the fridge to the wall with the ovens and do something different with the corner, like a section of deeper pantry or appliance storage. A decent kitchen designer should be able to suggest a number of better layouts.

The downdraft is currently under the cook-top in the island...there is a two story ceiling on that wall and wouldn't allow for a hood.

If you are doing a total remodel, consider getting the cooktop off the island and onto the perimeter. Your island space will be much more useful and you will get better venting from a dedicated over the stovetop vent hood.

a little confused, as neither drawing seems to reflect your actual arrangement. but I guess the measurements are there...?