I should have added that our other idea is to slide the fridge to the left and add more counter space, uppers and lowers.

You'll need the pantry (or other filler) so you can fully open the fridge. If you put the fridge against the wall, you won't be able to open the doors completely or take out the drawers and shelves for cleaning (unless you are buying an expensive fully built-in model).

Will the pantry handles hit the wall before fully opened? Will that hinder the pullouts?

@leslie - there's a filler (2" I think) that the designer says will allow the pantry to open enough.

@jenns - yes, filler would be needed for fridge to open fully. But we would still likely gain 15" of countertop, which is a lot in our kitchen.

Do you have pantry space anywhere else? Or is this the main location for food storage?

The pantry space will be more beneficial for storage with full depth vs counter space option

I would probably move the fridge over.

@Jen the pantry is the main food storage. If we opted for more counter space we would shift storage in the uppers/lowers to make room for food.

Our current layout most food is in a lazy susan corner cabinet.

This house is just over 800 sq ft and designed for a small family.

Consider having the entire pantry pull out instead of door with pullouts inside. Not saying one is better than the other, but it is worth considering the option.

I think it's a good spot for your pantry provided everything opens as it should.

This will be a lovely kitchen. I'd go for a longer more symmetrical sink counter set up. Tough to lose a pantry cabinet. I'm not sure what is going on with the space that looks like a white blank wall - what is that? but something to consider if your plumbing can be shifted is to put that 18" down at the other end and put the DW on the other side, with a larger cabinet above so the DW opens in such a way as to not obstruct access to the fridge. By moving the DW and expanding the wall cabinets to the right of the sink (as you face it), you will have a place to store dishes. And maybe you could have a couple of inches to make that drawer stack a tad bit wider too. I don't think you would lose too much if this pantry is counter-depth.

I would reconsider a full pullout. A full pull out gets heavy. Also, lifting and taking things out from the center is not convenient. I would opt for drawers in the bottom portion of the pantry and then a pullout on the top portion. Think about the things that you will be storing there and configure your drawers to store those items. The pantry can be configured to your needs.

@Fori thinking pullout drawers because then we could have more drawers that are closer together. we won't need space between the various drawers to get the can of beans (or whatever) from the left side out on the right side

@ Cupofkind the white is our open concept living room. really can't impinge on this space

@maddie planning on drawers so we can have more

it looks to me like the pantry would work fine where you have it. I would do the configuration suggested above drawers below and pullouts mid-range and up.

If it were my kitchen I would make the cabinets and lower drawers deeper than usual. If you can do so you would add appreciated storage. Things are less likely to get lost in the deeper base as you have drawers.

Another thought is moving the window up so you can have the counter go underneath the window. It could be a narrower buffet style in order to keep it slim and out of the way but it would add storage.

I had a full putout in the corner next to the fridge in one kitchen. It was fine but I prefer drawers for the lower and pull out on the uppers as well if given the choice.

Just make sure you get a counter depth fridge or pull out the pantry to a full depth fridge. You'll need to access the pullout shelves from the side.

Please consider moving the dishwasher to the right of the sink and combining the small cabinet and drawer into a larger drawer. I find 15" drawers really narrow for cutlery.

Thanks. We will move forward with the pantry and investigate the drawers/pullouts to get the best option for us.