Doug's wife would hate my fridge location, lol. And, Lavender, I'm not so organized but was raised by a mom who would yell at you if you stood with the door to the fridge open for very long as it let "the cold out!" so I automatically think through what I need and where it's at so I don't let too much cold out. mlogin, it's great that you're striving to incorporate the 31 Rules into your design. Just know that many of us find we have to compromise on one or more of them. I chose to do so on my fridge location and it is working out just fine for me. Below is my kitchen showing the former fridge placement and the current one. Current placement is actually in the opening between the laundry/pantry room. It does impede traffic through that route once in awhile but only for a few seconds so it isn't a big deal. I would rather experience a bit of congestion there than at my sinks, range or dishwasher locations. Or at my prep space or baking area. I just strongly feel that the fridge is the appliance you are standing at doing something the least time of all the appliances. If any appliance has to be placed in a less optimal position, I would choose the fridge. Remember that you also want your fridge on the edge of your working spaces so that someone who just wants to access it for a drink or snack isn't walking back-and-forth inside your work areas. I just don't see another place in your kitchen plan where your fridge is accessible to both cook and a drinker/snacker. Of course, someone more creative than I am may suggest a layout none of us have thought of yet but I think it would require re-arranging most of the rest of your kitchen to find another good location. Again, I'm not writing to try to influence you one way or the other but just to give you as much info as possible to consider in order for you to make the best decision for you and your family.

My SIL has an island height table with 4 stools that doubles as prep space as well with a big wood cutting board on it. Maybe something like that would work? I am not sure how much space you have but being able to completely slide the stools would be helpful for aisles.

You need to post a picture of the kitchen. IMO if you have an electrical source to have it moved does not cost all that much but I need to see the kitchen.

Since I’m in mid-reno, with no end in sight, I thought I’d post a picture and an update. I did go with a peninsula and it’s made my kitchen so much easier to work in. The pantry (right side of kitchen, ‘outside’ the cooking zone) has become storage for tableware. Food from pantry is ‘inside’ the cooking zone. I have plenty of room to cook, and a salad maker can use the counters by the fridge. It really makes the kitchen feel larger, and yet there is actually slightly less floor. Just not having to circle the island made a huge improvement. I ordered a 36” Premier Pro Range in late April, which arrived in August. I had to have LP gas (propane) installed, and figure out a way to get the gas through a slab. My plumber was a master at problem solving and ran the line through the former downdraft vent from my Jenn-Air slide-in range that was in the island. First a quick review of the Premier Range: I love it! The oven is large. It requires no electricity (has a battery pack). The 6-burners with the griddle are as nice as my Jenn-Air. I had no issues with the quality of that stove, btw. I wanted propane with no electricity due to electric outages. The Premier grates are substantial and having the solid expanse to slide heavy pots (like canners) is wonderful. I have a BEST Cattura downdraft vent on back order. It was ordered the same time as the range, and I got word it was shipped. However, that exciting news was cancelled when I was told that it was in one of the shipping containers that floated away in the port of Seattle. I may get one by the end of January. Till then, I won’t be doing any extreme cooking, but it’s sure nice to be able to scramble eggs again! Countertops are in progress, but they, too will be slow. My lights shipped yesterday, so maybe I can get the electrician out soon. Forgive all the ‘half-assery’, as my husband would say. Pull out shelves will get here. Drawers will be installed properly, paint cans and blue tape will go away, and everything WILL get done. @LilDesignWorks…thanks for your inspiration!