I would want to swap the sink and DW so the DW and range doors don't conflict and so the open DW door doesn't get in the cook's way. I see that maybe you're trying to maintain more counter space, so maybe swap the DW with cabinet #1?

Why are the uppers to the right of the range wider than the base cabs?

I am concerned about no landing space near the fridge...or is there a counter over the single oven?

Have you considered putting the fridge where the oven is, then having an L-shaped counter with uppers and installing the oven under the counter, so you have more counter workspace, place to cool baked goods, etc? Something like this:

I like RHome410's layout...although the Pantry cabinet is missing. But, with the extra drawers & cabinets you may not need a Pantry cabinet. I think you'll actually have more storage space.

...unless, of course, there's a reason you left so much empty space in the middle of the kitchen and can't use the "L"...is there? There isn't enough room for a table & chairs in that space.

As to your original question, I would prefer to see decorative doors...they also take up less room. A wall will take 4 or 5 inches, a panel approx 1" (whatever you doors are). The other thing to note is that if you go with a wall and it's deeper than the oven cabinet, you'll probably have to use a 1" or so filler b/w the wall and the ovens (unless the cabinet is wider...like a 33" cabinet for a 30" oven).

If you go w/RHome410's layout, and the refrigerator is not a built-in refrigerator, I would build it in...finished end panels on both sides the same depth as the ref carcass plus a full-depth cabinet above the refrigerator (or a standard depth cabinet brought forward so it looks full-depth). In this case, if you use a wall on the open side of the refrigerator and the wall is deeper than the refrigerator carcass, you will need at least a 3" filler b/w the refrigerator & wall to ensure you can open it fully...with end panels you won't need any filler.

You're right, I *am* trying to maintain enough space for prep. Right now, I'm trying to balance prep space and symmetry. (What I show as a window is actually three windows, and I'd like to center the sink under either the center one or the one on the left, though I guess that's not absolutely necessary.) You may be right about swapping the dishwasher and the other cabinet, though.

About the upper cabinet, it's just there because I'm going to cut it down to fit the space. I've corrected the picture, so if you reload it, you'll see what's actually there.

I've thought about putting the oven under the counter or just buying a 36" range, and I realize it makes planning much simpler, but a counter-height oven is #2 on my must-have list for this remodel, due to bad knees. I won't consider a plan that doesn't include one.

The 2-L layout is what we have now, and it makes the room feel closed-in. We actually have a narrow table and chairs in the middle of the room, and will keep it after the remodel. (I didn't show it on the drawing because I knew people would tell me that the aisles - which we've been living with for years - are too narrow.)

I figure that I'll use the table and the counter space next to the sink as a landing space for the oven, and I'll use the island or table as landing space for the fridge, which is what we do now.

I appreciate your input, and would really like to know what you think about the wall vs. end panel question.

I think wall vs end panel is a matter of personal preference. I put a wall on the end of our oven, because I like the neat (as in neat and tidy) end it provides. On the door side of the wall you could inset a shallow shelf for keys, decorative items, or hang a calendar or artwork. It would be lighter color than an end panel, but an end panel may seem lighter (vs heavy) so not seem like as much of a barrier when you enter the room? And, of course, Buehl is right that it would give you a few more inches in your pantry or by the doors.

If the DW is open, could you reach to put dishes away? I agree with the DW/sink swap.

I'd use a finished panel on the oven end instead of a wall. Doorways get tight and every inch counts. Will you be using Ikea cabinetry? If so, be sure to visit ikeafans.com .

I might switch the fridge and oven positions unless your family is better at tucking in their chairs than mine.

Great idea RHome410...how could I forget about a "Message Center niche" in a wall??!! I have one! But, it's 8" deep so it's deeper than a standard wall.

There are yellow post-it pads in the basket below the calendar. We plan to put in some hooks below the calendar and above the phone for keys...as soon as we figure out a way to do it w/the extremely shallow plywood back to the niche (with a thin drywall veneer). We're thinking of using leftover cabinet filler from the crown molding + leftover light rail and mount the hooks on it and then mount the whole piece on the wall...one of our yet to-do projects!

This would give you a Message Center w/o sacrificing counter space.

That's a great idea, Rhome410 and Buehl! Now that I see it, though, I'm sure I'm going to have to go with the finished end panel. I knew a wall would take more room, but didn't really *know* it until I saw it, if you know what I mean.

I'm still thinking about switching the dishwasher and sink. As I mentioned, I have a wall of three windows, each 18" wide, with molding on the sides and in between. The more I think of it, the more I know I'll be unhappy if the sink isn't centered under one of those windows, as it will feel haphazard to me. I really want it to be centered under the center window, but that reduces the prep space and it means I need a 5-6" spacer to the right of the sink. I know I could use the space for a pullout, but I'd much rather have real cabinet space.

I think I'll end up centering the sink under the left window, even though it means the dishwasher will have to stay where I have it on the plan I posted. I have the Fisher & Paykel dishdrawers, so I'll just do what I do now - take some dishes from the dishwasher, push the dishwasher in, and put the dishes away. It doesn't seem like a big deal to me.

Fori, I did think about switching the oven cabinet and the fridge. I think I've decided against it because I feel like I need landing space on a counter for the oven more than the fridge, especially if people are sitting at the table when something hot comes out of the oven.

The table won't be centered in the room. It will be pushed more towards the cooktop side. I'm hoping that will encourage people not to walk through my cooking area, and will leave a wider aisle for the oven and fridge. I don't care about the cooktop side. I'm the only one who cooks and the only one who will regularly sit on that side. Plus, there's only 30" between my range and the table now, and it's never been a problem.

It's really hard trying to balance function and aesthetics. I'm not sure I'm getting the balance right, but I guess you just do the best you can.