Thanks for the thoughts. Your comment about the cabinets makes sense. Thought about using some of the space for at least a small walk-in-pantry (great suggestion), but would really benefit from some additional counter prep space too, even if just outside of, but immediately adjacent to the main work triangle, fridge-sink-stove layout. Thinking of some more space for the kids to participate in food prep, so trying to think outside of the box, here.

I essentially did this as I extended the cabinets into the dining area of my condo.

It looks more like furniture as I have glass cabinets over a counter but it is also extremely functional for storage. I have two tall cabinets - one is used as my utility closet and the other has rollouts and shelving as well as storage for my Cuisinart and KA Mixer as they can be pulled out by a little side opening when I need to use them.

I have deep drawers in the middle configuration which I use for storage of silver; dishes and other stuff. I am not sure why extending storage in this way isn't functional. In terms of actual distance, it is actually no further away than storage would be in a larger kitchen. Obviously I have arranged it so that prep stuff (e.g.knifes) is kept where I prep and items used for the cooktop are stored by those. Most of my bakeware or other oven stuff is stored above and below the wall oven and microwave drawer.

When you don't have a large space you make it work in other ways. Some people installed toe kick drawers for storage. I opted to install toe kick step stools so that I could reach the top shelf if need be without dragging out a step stool.