Why can’t the fridge go to the right of the dishwasher in that little alcove? What are those two things in the alcove, btw?

Can you post a floor plan with measurements?

To give you better help, please post a layout with the widths of each wall/window/door/doorway and the distances between each wall/window/door/doorway labeled. We also need a sketch of the entire floor to see how the Kitchen relates to the rest of your home and how traffic flows in, around, and through the Kitchen.

See the "New to Kitchens? Read Me First!" thread for more information regarding what we need when asking for layout help,

FYI...in the second layout, the island is a barrier island b/w the refrigerator & sink and b/w the refrigerator & range.

Without measurements, it's difficult to say much more. E.g., what are the aisle widths (measured to/from the items that stick out into the aisles the farthest...appliance handles, counter edges, etc.)?

Yes, sorry, this version shows measurements.

Also, in the top right of the photo, what looks like only a partition wall also has a doorway.

I do not yet have a sketch that shows how this relates to the rest of the home. The 33 inch opening on right enters the dining room. The 36 inch opening in bottom front faces the front door and a more formal living room. The (unpictured) door on the partition at the top right opens to a family room at the back of the house—a 1970s addition. There are other means of accessing the family room on the back of the house, this is not the only access. The exterior door leads to the back yard.

To answer the question about the alcove, yes the fridge could go there. I have a newish 36 inch wide fridge that I want to keep (the only thing I plan to survive the reno) and there is only 39 inches of workable space in the alcove. Right now I’m planning for pantry space and a 27 or 24 inch wide double oven stack in that space to try to be able to use the entire space. Thanks.

Option 1, but move the fridge to the right of the dishwasher.

Option 1 is my favorite layout, but I would move the range/cooktop closer to the fridge, to allow space for a 36" super susan. Also omit the diagonal upper, and use an EZ-Reach corner.

I like the idea of using a lazy Susan in the corner is well, and originally planned for that, but I’m told we won’t be able to fit it in. The windows are coming out and being replaced, so it might be possible to bring it through the window space, but I need to check on that. Thank you!

Rough mock up of our floor plan on the first floor. It’s roughly to scale but measurements are definitely off. This is the general idea.

This is a blank slate of the floor plan. The kitchen is over an unfinished basement and we have significant freedom to move water and gas lines. There is a ceiling obstruction that extends from the alcove on the exterior (left wall) across the room to the right (wall abutting the dining room). Two beams extend from the alcove across, and there is a dropped area of ceiling that is only 81” high in the area directly across from the alcove (it’s 47 inches wide). I have a young family with 3 kids between the ages of 5 and 9. We have lived here 10 years and intend for this to be our forever home. We like to gather in the kitchen and do a fair amount of informal entertaining. My current kitchen is chopped to hell and is not functional. I want more functional counter space and better function on the whole. I prize making functional use of all space. I do most of the cooking, and my husband is kitchen helper and is often doing clean up and dishes while I cook. Thanks for the tips regarding what info I need to provide. If more is needed please let me know. And thank you!!