the frig is in the best spot: requires 2 in or so on wall side. The idea of french doors is so that they open in a galley passage, however at the end as you have yours, a side hinged fridge with freezer drawer on bottom would work. If you keep it at the end, the "bump out" of a traditional depth would be okay to me, yes a cabinet depth is nice but I would not give 36 in for it. You can get a lot of frig at 30 in wide, french or side hinged upper with a freezer drawer. Look at different models-I don't see why "bottles" would make it a no-go. In a rather short wall run, I would not interrupt it [looks-wise and countertop function use] with moving the frig "in". A huge upgrade would always be the Liebherr at cabinet depth and 24 in wide-they have a "vacation mode" setting which is a handsome feature if a future buyer is a part time resident in this condo.

Agreed. You don't want a FD or counter depth in that location.

Is that a walk-through galley or dead end?

It's a dead end wall... So you think I should keep it there and use a deeper fridge? My budget would like to avoid counter-depth, but I thought in a small kitchen it would open it up to use one that doesn't bump out so much.... Maybe in that location it wouldn't matter if it comes out a bit, but why would the French Doors be a mistake? I thought that the shorter doors would be better than a full-sized single door and I'd love to try one with the freezer on the bottom, if it would work. My budget for the fridge is around $1500, which is what the counter depth FD KitchenAid is on sale.

Thanks for the suggestions. Guess I'll reconsider the style of the fridge rather than its location. Any specific recommendations?

This Kitchen Aid is not counterdepth, but I would check it out.

If you made the end of the base counter runs square instead of angled, you could also consider shifting the fridge over about 6" (and the rest of the run as well), and putting a narrow broom closet there to give you more doorswing.

You could also bump out that whole run of base cabinets to 27" deep to give yourself a bit more counterspace and bury the depth of the fridge a bit.

Here is a link that might be useful: Check this Kitchen Aid

Small space kitchen:Consider forfeiting symmetry, get a slightly smaller sink and sink base and move it to the right a bit-you can drill counter hole and set the faucet near mid point under window so it's look fine.Go with single door cab to right of window on wall-hinged on right so you can reach in easily while standing diagonally off from it a bit. The counter space to the left of sink will be more usable with gained inches-on the wall to the left of window I would eliminate the open shelves on end due to need for your large main double door cabinet placed here. As you cook, you will turn and want space -this run left of sink is it!. To the right of sink ends up a dead end...it has use but don't rely on it for where you go during cooking-toaster/coffee pot/knife block-okay, but L of sink should be given maximum value.

Herbflavor... Thanks for the Liebherr fridge and layout suggestions. I will have to draw your ideas out and see how much extra space I'd get. The fridge would work if DH would go for the added $1K, but he keeps reminding me that this is "just" a seasonal home. Like the idea of the "vacation mode" setting, though! Maybe other brands have that?

I appreciate your time and thoughts!!

I have a small galley also. There are several french door bottom freezer refrigerators available. You can idea at the AJ Madison website.

Here is a link that might be useful: 30-33 inch bottom freezer French door fridges

Have you considered using the depth of the wall to set a standard fridge back 3 or so inches?

I would definitely square off the end cabinets, and center the range.

Anne

How about a U?

Thanks for your suggestions, All! You've given me much to think about. I was trying to figure out if a U shape would work, and it helps to see it drawn out. It would work, but I have to decide whether or not I should give up one or both of the angled cabinets. Love the look of the angles over a strict galley as it opens it up and will make it different from everyone else's in our community....The angled look would tie in so well with the other angles in our unit (It is not a rectangle, but more of a "wedge" shape - narrow at the front door and opening to a wide, panaramic waterview through sliders and picture windows.) Anyway, the angled opening would also would make it feel bigger...but it does cut down a bit on counter and storage space. Think we'll be fine with the cabinet space since the wall we are opening up is 5" thick, so we'll gain that space at the end of each side. We also will be taking the cabinets to the ceiling, so will gain an extra shelf in all wall cabinets. So, prefer the look that creates challenges...but it does help to hear from all of you so we can make these decisions after considering everything!

Organization and efficient use of space will be key. Using as many drawers as you can for the lower cabinets could help. Here's some stuff I wish I had seen before my reno:

If you're doing custom cabinets, you can think about toe-kick drawers like these from a fellow GWer (sorry, can't remember who!)

{{!gwi}}

Here's a handy pull out broom closet originally posted on the IKEA fans website; it only takes up 4" of space. Holds lots of stuff, and if you put it between your refrigerator and the wall, you'll be able to open the ref door farther than if the ref was right next to the wall.

{{gwi:1444238}}

These handy pullouts under a sink are from another GW kitchen; I think sandn? They'd make it so much easier to find stuff stashed under the sink:

{{!gwi}}

Check rev-a-shelf.com for more ideas on handy pullouts to maximize space, and check the link below for a good thread on drawers and some pictures of how GWers organized theirs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread on drawers in kitchen - some good pics