Do you have a floorplan that shows everything from a top view? That will make it much easier for us to evaluate your plan and make helpful suggestions.

Well, I guess it would have made sense, huh? I'm clearly a little rattled here. I don't know why I'm so worried.

I added what the guy gave me. Maybe this will help.

2 - range top with MW over
14 - built in double oven
Door 30 is the pantry and Door 35 is the door to the dining room. I looked at putting the fridge next to pantry, but that would decrease the size of the island by quite a bit.

I just don't like the thought of seeing the refrigerator from every room in the house. It will be completely open from the Den and the Breakfast room.

I'm going to try to put this in Visio tomorrow and post it. I have Ubuntu on this PC and it doesn't have Visio capability.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1977761}}

Welcome Jphales! You kitchen will have a nice defined area yet still be open...I like that.

A couple of comments first,

Do you have an actual layout w/dimensions and that shows how the kitchen relates to the other rooms on the first floor? That would be immensely helpful! Your elevation pic is nice, but it only has limited usefulness since it doesn't show me measurements or other rooms.

It looks like the aisle b/w the island and the wall on the right is quite narrow....ideally it should be at least 42" (and that's from countertop edge to wall, not cabinet wall to wall).

Is there a reason your island is bi-level? It breaks up what could be a wonderful work area...for baking, craft, or homework projects. If you're concerned about dirty dishes being visible, a deep sink is great for hiding them!

Strangely, the countertop to the left of the sink appears to slope down...is that a fluke of the software or really there?

I notice there's a doorway to the hallway on the kitchen wall, next to the current Refrigerator location. Then, there's also a doorway on the connecting wall. Do they lead to the same place (I can't tell from the pics in your photo album or the layout)?

Can you remove the wall to the right of the island? It would give you a lot more room there.

What about the connecting wall that has a door...could that be taken down as well?

Can you close up the doorway that's next to your current? If so, you could run the counters to where the intersecting wall is right now...

Base cabinets...I would look into mostly drawers, not doors. Drawers, in general, are more functional than standard cabinets....whether with stationary shelves or pull out shelves. Even pullout shelves are less useful b/c, first, you have to use at least 2 motions to open/close them....open the door, pullout the shelf, then push the shelf back in and close the door. If you have double doors like I see on some of them, then you have to open/close 2 doors. Whereas with drawers, you just pull to open, and push to close.

Range & Hood...how wide is your cooktop? Is the vent hood above it at least 6" wider & 24" deep? Those are the ideal dimensions for venting. The extra width is so you can extend past the cooktop by 3" on each side...thereby increasing the effectiveness of the hood.

Refrigerator...I would most definitely enclose that refrigerator with finished end panels on the sides and a full-depth cabinet above. If you cannot afford the full-depth, then at least pull the half-depth cabinet forward so it's flush with the end panels so it at least appears to be full-depth. Make that alcove at least 36" wide & 72" tall, btw, b/c it may be tough to find a refrigerator smaller than that today.

When you replace the refrigerator, will it be counter-depth, built-in, or standard/full-depth (much deeper than 24"-30")? If full-depth, can you recess it into the wall behind it? Even better would be to recess into the room behind it so that it appears counter-depth. If so, you can have the best of both worlds...counter-depth look but the interior space of a standard refrigerator!

If you can recess or you are getting a counter-depth refrigerator, make the end panels enclosing the refrigerator 26" deep to cover the entire refrigerator carcass but leaving the doors outside the panels (so they can open all the way.)

Welcome, you've come to the right place!

A couple of things strike me that you may want to consider, in addition to Buehl's comments.

- I wouldn't restrict your sink placement to where your plumbing is. I would put it in the best spot possible, and I'm pretty sure that it shouldn't be right across from your cooktop. Islands are used for prepping, and when I use my island I cut and prep stuff, grab the food and turn around and use the cooktop. So I think your sink should be closer to the fridge side of the island.
- I wouldn't do the bi-level counters on the island. I also wouldn't do the curved edge like you have there now. I find this look kind of dated and I think may be a pain to keep clean as you have two levels of counter to wipe. I would do a single-level countertop in a standard rectangular shape. Again, this is what I would do, but you may have a preference for this.
- You appear to have a lot of clearance between the perimeter cabinetry with the cooktop and the island. How much space is there? I think you should pull the island closer to the cooktop area if you have room, then put an overhang on the other side of the island so you have room for seating. Or if you don't need/want island seating, then just keep the visual interest like you have in your drawing, with the glass doors and such.
- You should find a way to fit in your dream hutch. Why deny yourself of something you really want? I would do this hutch to the right of your corner wall oven wall. It may not be as big as your dream hutch, but you can give it the same overall look and feel.