I'm using a standard depth, FD fridge for the first time in our temporary house. I thought I would love it since they are so popular. I do not. I usually end up opening both sides anyway because either I can't remember where the item I'm looking for is, or someone moved said item, or because I can't rummage around though a produce door with only one door open. I feel too cramped. Whatever the case, it feels like an extra step to have to open and then close two doors. Even though this fridge is standard depth, I still need an extra fridge in the garage. The fridge for my new kitchen is a bottom freezer, single door. I dislike French door units, but in some cases a kitchen layout works best with one.

Also, I thought that I just needed to spend more time using a French door to get used to it. It's been almost a year, and I still don't like it. YMMV.

As far as whether or not a fridge can be next to a pantry, it depends in many factors. Are they side by side with each other or at a 90 degree angle? Is the pantry a walk-in with a door or a cabinet pantry? What type of cabinetry? Will you have a filler in between the two?

I suggest you post your kitchen layout here or over in the Kitchens forum to get feedback on that issue.

Posting another experience here, we have a Samsung FD fridge and we love it. The FD configuration allows me to use the whole width of the fridge if I need to cool something large and it just seems to swallow up everything as it is. Sometimes we open one door, sometimes both. Doesn't bother me either way. The real-estate is the best factor for me.

-Stooxie

My mom has had one for a while now. She likes the fridge part and has gotten used to where she puts things (milk/butter on the right, drinks on the left) so going to the correct door is 2nd nature.

However, she has come to hate the freezer. Everything gets lost.

I have had a counter depth FD for almost 3 years. Absolutely love everything about it. Love the width of the shelves and doesn't bother me at all opening one door or both. Love the bottom freezer and having the refrig at eye level. Previously have had top freezer and hated bending down for the refrig lower shelves and veggie drawers. Had a side x side and hated the narrow width and bending down for the lower shelves. FD is the best of all worlds and super attractive, too.

We have a counter depth Samsung french door and love it. I love having the ability to store large items, especially in the freezer. In our previous house we had a side by side and i hated that thing! We have never had issues not being able to fit what we wanted in our french door fridge.

We have a counter depth french door (36" wide) (LG) and love it. It's in storage now and we really miss it (as compared with the fridge where we are now during construction).

Easy to see everything, with doors open it doesn't protrude into the kitchen as much, and works for us to have freezer section on the bottom. In our remodel we'll use it again rather than getting something new.

If money weren't an object I might get one that is 7' tall instead of 6' for a bit more space, but this extra foot is pretty pricey.

We have a counter depth Jenn Air FD with floating glass and LOVE IT. It's big/wide enough to see everything that's in there and shallow enough not to lose anything at the back. We just sold our house and I will absolutely miss the fridge!