For example, a corner cabinet like this but longer than the others so the bottom level is lower than the others.

Easy-Reach Corner Wall Cabinet · More Info

So long as it doesn't make it impossible to use both sides of your sink and stove and is not located in the area between sink and stove (prep zone) it should be fine...see below - one works the other does not...

How high are your ceilings? Are you tall enough that mounting 30"
cabinets 6" higher would work (24", instead of 18" off the counter), and
how do you feel about open shelving? You could have 30" uppers
with an open shelf or cup rail underneath, and an EZReach corner cabinet that is
36" tall, which would line up with the open shelf, and the tops of the
cabinets. If the ceilings are higher than 8' (enough for trim and crown moulding), 36" and 42" cabinets would
achieve the same look. Note: I have no idea how the cost or
availability of 30, 36, and 42" cabinets compare.

Sorry, I couldn't find any photos to illustrate my idea, but here is a link to 'open shelves under cabinets.'

Open shelves.

This is as close as I could come--pretend there are doors in the corner:

The ceilings are very low, so I can't really mount most of them any higher or they would be square- plus it's such a small kitchen that I cannot give up that cabinet space either. It's too bad because the condo itself is pretty big for a Florida keys condo (1600 plus square feet) but the kitchen is a u shaped with one wall just an peninsula for better views and to not close it off. I do like open storage for some things, not pantry items though. For some reason I have it stuck in my head that the one corner in question has to be the pantry area- but I might just have to get over it lol!

Pictured is the corner in question. I will be moving the new fridge to another wall and replacing it with a range oven combo with hood microwave (not my favorite choice but for space it's the best option - I think). And getting rid of the cooktop- it takes up counter space that I really need. The stacked oven and microwave is not pictured but it is where the fridge really should be. Not an optimal kitchen but the property is so amazing that I can work around it :-)

Here are the other walls, one to the left of the window, and the third
side of the "U" which is a peninsula. They were taken before we
purchased it. It looks dark but it is actually bright- will be better
with new cabinets, appliances and countertops!!! Especially with
rearranged appliances.

Is that a soffit? If there are just can lights in it, consider removing it and extending the cabinets up to the actual ceiling. If you can't put cans in the ceiling there are now low profile flush mount LEDs that fit in a standard junction box.

It is a soffit, I just don't know how much other construction I want done- I'm kinda afraid of what they will uncover :-) The soffit is original to the unit built in 1978.

I was thinking that dropping it down would make it just a little more accessible and a little more storage. I would rather use that corner for storage than for an appliance or a decoration- but it is quite likely I am way overthinking things :-) Thanks to all for your input, it's much appreciated!

Like this? Since the stove is getting moved you have less of an issue with a cabinet taking up countertop. Some thoughts. If there is a door at counter height nothing can go in front of the door if you intend to use the door regularly (this is why you will often see a small shelf below the cabinets instead of carrying the cabinets down). Putting a door at counter height works best on 30" deep cabinet (rather than the standard 24") because a usable amount of space would still be in front of the cabinet. When cabinets are carried down to the countertop they are usually or predominantly open like bookshelves or glass fronted so that they don't visually weigh down that part of the room. Depending upon what you want to store in them that may not work for you. Cabinets around any window work best when they are set back 6"-9" from the window trim so that they allow in more light and don't feel like a cabinet canyon. Any stretch of kitchen counter without sink or stove becomes a clutter magnet.

Due to some of your comments, I am going to rethink an open shelf underneath the wall easy reach cabinet rather than having it carried down to the countertop, either for exposed storage or put a basket or two on it for more hidden storage (I don't like my food/pantry items out in the open)- except for produce. If I didn't love cooking so much a dedicated "pantry" area wouldn't be an issue, and I could just put a few items here or there :-) Thanks to all, this is a great discussion group!

I was thinking that cabinets to the counter would look nice on each side of the fridge, but you'll be moving the fridge to the sink wall? If the short backsplash is the standard 4" tall, it looks as if your cabinets are already mounted lower than 18"--maybe 15 or 16".

I think you are correct about the cabinet mounting- they do seem lower than normal. Very observant of you to notice that. I think it would make a cabinet that met the countertop very difficult and expensive, and would for sure necessitate removing the soffit which does worry me.

Since it's half a country away I am going by photos that I have taken- can't get back there for a few more months :-( I will be moving the fridge from its location on the center part of the "U" to the corner where the stacked oven is now. It just looks too large in the center. I considered a counter depth replacement (and not black) and keeping it there but I still think it might look out of place in a way. I think that I need to lower my expectations of a pantry area- When I get more exact dimensions I think I will revisit this topic with this discussion group. In the meantime I will likely have more questions though! Plus, we are redoing our guest and master bathrooms in our present home and will probably ask for more input.

Thanks for all your input!

I don't think I'd move the fridge to the oven location. A fridge against a wall, like it will be, will not open fully. Of course if you are replacing it with a French door model it's not as big an issue

Wow! That corner pantry,great idea!!

A corner pantry like that was my initial idea, I love it! I changed my mind after going to kitchen showrooms and seeing nothing like it, and also worrying that it wouldn't fit in the space as I have no idea what dimensions it would be- I tried peeking in a merrilat online spec guide (it's the only one I could find so far) and saw nothing like it. I am not opposed to a semi custom line where something like that could be custom built, as I feel that a pantry is very important.

Does anyone out there have more info on such a pantry, or if it looks like it would "fit" in the space? It would have to be in that corner to the left of the fridge (which will be moved to another wall and be replaced with a range and microwave hood)

Without a layout diagram with dimensions, I'm clueless about how to give advice. I just wanted to say that the triangle pantry is awesome and I hope you can make it work in your space. Please come on back once you have a good diagram for us to work with. There are a lot of talented kitchen gurus here that may be able to help you make the triangle fit or a better solution to give you a great, functional layout with a good pantry.

I think the minimum for a corner cabinet with 24" depth countertops is about 36" on each of the wall sides. But for a pantry to be usable, I think it would need to be wider. Maybe 42-44"? Totally un-pro guess.

And looking at your pic, I don't think the wall between the window and the corner is more than 30" or so? Hmmm.

Yeah, looking at the photo again I don't think I have more than 36" at the most, perhaps less. I might have my contractor do measurements for me in my absence while he is in there doing work on a few other things that are being taken care of next month. Unfortunately there are few condos with a similar layout to mine in the complex so I can't easily peek around for ideas. I am certain that someday somehow we will figure out a solution :-)

Be sure and look at the pictures in this post. They used shallow cabinets and cabinets that opened in a slightly different direction depending upon where it was in their unit. The overall effect is quite stunningly New York but much of it may translate very well to your situation too.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2663096/finished-vintage-cream-in-the-city?n=116

practigal, that is one of the nicest and most interesting kitchens I have ever seen- I will study the photos and consider similar options. Thanks so much!!!

We are exploring another option- seeing as there are some challenges to making a pantry in the kitchen itself happen, we are crossing our fingers that we can "borrow space" from the laundry closet area, which is opposite of the kitchen (near the opening of the "U"). The only problem is that there is a hot water heater that needs access so we will see if our contractor can come up with a clever idea how to manage that. There is a good 3 feet of space next to the washer and dryer between it and the hot water heater where we could have either a pantry closet made of walls and shelves or a pantry cabinet inserted into the space. We would have to re-wall in the present door opening and get smaller doors to fit another pantry door next to it, but I think it can be done if we can figure out how to not hide the hot water heater or at least have access to it if repairs or replacement is needed.

If that is impossible we are back at square one and fitting a pantry into the kitchen proper- hopefully I will get measurements soon so I don't have to guess dimensions based on tile size, etc :-)