I'll have my fridge in a corner, next to a wall, and I'm not bothered by it. I'll have a few inches of filler, so the doors can open a little wider. I am also buying a fridge that is built so that you can pull the drawers out without opening the doors more than 90 degrees - its a Samsung FD model.

Here is a photo of the layout...I guess I'm just concerned with getting the drawers pulled out all the way! In the corner you can only open the doors 90 degrees, and it seems from most fridge specs you need at least 110 degrees...

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen layout that needs help!

Most kitchen designers that I have spoken to have recommended at least 3-4" of filler on the wall side of the fridge. That would give you enough room to open the door of that Samsung wide enough to pull the deli drawer out. But don't forget to account for handles too! The fridge you have in that plan has no handles. Also, if you plan on a 24" deep cabinet on top of the fridge, you may want a panel on the other (non-wall) side of the fridge, to support it. That's another inch or two.

Here is a link that might be useful: Samsung Fridge

I have never seen a side-by-side with the freezer on the right - the refrigerator side has always been on the right.
Maybe there are one or two but I think you layout picture is wrong.

Is it too late in your planning to make more major changes to your layout? It just seems like you have a tiny, tight kitchen somehow squeezed into a large, roomy space. Please don't take offense, but I think you could be using the space much more efficiently and getting a lot more out of it. If you're up for some creative solutions, I'm quite sure some of the layout gurus here could come up with something more functional for you.

Kitchen Aid also has FD and one-door bottom freezers that fit close to a side wall per the specifications.

Thanks for all your input so far!!

melanie...thanks for the Samsung info - looks like an awesome fridge, but as bmorepanic pointed out I may not have the room for the French door.

holligator - It's not too late to do some major changes...but we are constricted with our window openings. The house is all stone facade and we can't afford to start changing openings that drastically. The only window/door we have room to play with is the one over the kitchen sink, and the door to the left of that, which opens onto a screen porch.

It might seem like a tight space, but we looked at putting the fridge on the wall by the pantry and I just don't like that much room from my fridge to my sink. The island could be shifted as well...

bmorepanic - Moving the fridge to the end near the door to the screen porch might leave a big dead space in that other corner...what do you think?

Again, thanks for the feedback..my DH would like this design done "yesterday"!!

Is the pantry already built? That's the wall that, in my eyes, is begging to be used differently. The huge pantry looks luxurious, but I think it's awkwardly placed in the space.

Can you post a sketch with measurements of all walls, door openings, window openings, etc.? Also, label what is through each doorway. That would help a lot for giving you some ideas.

I have a kind of lackluster feeling about the ref between the sink and the table. On one hand, a lot of ref users are coming from the table. On the other, there's a TALL-FAT obstruction between you when you're working at the sink and the table. But then again, it solves your positioning issue.

I can see some of what holligator is thinking and agree with it. If I got to change walls, maybe a different entrance to whatever is north and more of an "L" using the window wall and the north wall.

One irritation about the fridge being against a wall is that the right door will never stay open when you need it to, especially with a FD or SS. With the freezer being on the right, there is no crisper drawer to open to aid in keeping the door open.
Your sinkside layout looks just like mine is presently, and I'm thinking of leaving it in the corner since buying my new fridge. I bought a 33" Kenmore Elite french door and it sits to the left of a 36" opening.

This fridge allows me to open both crisper drawers fully even with the right door open only 90 degrees. It does open a little wider than that since the fridge is smaller than the space. If I need to have that right door stay open, I just open the right crisper drawer and it holds it open. I have not had any problems getting things into or out of it. I saw no point in putting filler on the wall side - it just doesn't need that.
You probably wouldn't be happy with the fridge being near the pantry way out of the way. There are some fridges out there where you'll be able to access everything regardless of it being against the wall. Look into those Kitchen Aid's that were mentioned.

We have a Kitchenaid French door. The doors are designed so that they only open to a little bit over 90 deg, so if you put the filler as the others suggested you should be OK. However, the handles are quite beefy, so that might be an added complication and you might need more clearance. The Jenn-Air FD is the same design but has different handle

Thank you all so much!!! I went out looking at refrigerators last night, and found some that would work. I think we're leaning toward the FD models versus the side by side just so I won't feel like the fridge is too cramped. We do have about 6" to play with so I think we'll be ok. Unfortunately the Kenmore series (which I happen to like) is out of the question since the bottom drawer hits the door at 90 degrees...I didn't see any Kitchenaid so I'll have to check that out.

I LOVE the look of the GE Cafe series, but no ice/water in the french door model :( the range is so pretty though!! And it has all the features we want.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

Maybe they didn't have this one on display at Sears. I've linked to it below. My crisper drawers do open all the way with the door 90 degrees. I does come in Stainless.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sears Kenmore Elite