Yeah, sure, thanks for that! The reason the placement is as it is is that these are where the current appliances roughly are. I'm overall pleased with the layout. Your comment is useful because actually, at the moment, there is more space between the cooktop and sink. Currently there is a cooktop and wall oven but we chose to go with a full range to free up the original oven space. Additionally, it was recommended for us to offset the range from the end and have a cabinet cap to make it look more built in, which we do like. But that did reduce the counter space in between. We will have to consider that trade off. Thanks again!

I would move your sink to the left to gain more space between it and the range. In fact, I'd be tempted to move it all the way down to the end. You hardly have any prep space there. It would feel very cramped.

To further the range 'built in' feel I'd suggest a slide-in instead of the freestanding. Deeper counters 30" will get more useable work space from this layout, pending dimensions. You would need a slide-in for that anyway. Bosch Benchmark induction is one to look at. Add my vote in for moving the sink down and I'd suggest a good sized deep single bowl.

I know you're happy with what is there, but I really would listen to those who suggested you move your sink down to give you more prep space. You won't regret it.

IMO _ right now - that counter by the fridge will not get used for anything. The space between the sink and cooktop is "the most valuable real estate in a kitchen". Since you don't have an island - this WILL be your prep space. Even that area to the left of the sink will likely only get used for staging clean / dirty dishes because it's outside the flow.

PLEASE try to move your sink (and yes - still have counter on both sides of your range - otherwise it looks BAD)

I have only approximately 15" between my sink and range, and it's super annoying. I would LOVE more space between the two. It's not even the prep space between the two, although that would be nice. It's more that when we are piling things around the sink while washing them, 15" feels very limited and the range gets all wet. The crevice between the cooktop and the counter next to the sink is getting filthy because it's always getting wet or getting crud on it from clean-up.

The fridge will not open fully if placed directly next to the wall. A filler or cabinet(perhaps broom closet?) will allow the fridge door to swing past 90 degrees, allowing bins to be removed for cleaning etc.

How big is the cabinet to the right of the range? I've got 15" and wouldn't go any smaller than that.

And yes to the above comments about increasing your prep space between the sink and range. That's where the most work gets done efficiently.

On the fridge wall, move the fridge to the other end. Then after you move the sink/dishwasher away from the range, you can unload the dishwasher directly into the drawers on the fridge wall like this:

Moving the fridge to the other end of the fridge wall also means you don't have to worry about the wall's interfering with the fridge door's ability to swing open all the way to allow for you to pull out the fridge drawers completely. Usually if you put a fridge next to a wall like that, you must put a 6"-12" pantry between the fridge and the wall to allow for proper door swing. When the fridge is on the other end of the fridge wall, it isn't next to a wall, and you don't have to worry about any of that.

I'd install a microwave in an upper cabinet of the fridge wall like this:

That way, that counter on the fridge wall will become a very useful snack area. You'll get the food from the fridge, grab a dish and a utensil from the drawers next to the fridge, and microwave the food in the microwave. Efficient and keeps snackers away from the cooking/cleaning side of the kitchen if someone else is using it.

Listen to Jillius. You absolutely must have more counter between sink and range for prep. Minimum 36". Most prefer closer to 48". I have 54" and wouldn't want to lose as inch. As jannicone stated, that is the "most precious" counter in the kitchen, a natural place for doing all your prep work so you will want to have room to spread out, and not having adequate prep counter there will make cooking in your kitchen very inefficient and frustrating.

So, as Jillius said, switch fridge to other end of room, put a microwave, if you are having one, on a shelf next to the fridge, and install drawers for dishes where you currently have the fridge.

Then, on the sink side, move the DW all the way to the left (you will probably need 1-2" of filler between DW and wall), move the sink down next to the DW, and enjoy the nice prep space between sink and range every dang time you cook. It looks like this will triple your prep space. Yay! And move your trash into the prep space because that is where most trash is generated. Composting, too, if you do that.

These changes will make a huge difference. I would not want to work in your current kitchen plan at all. I would hate it. I would love to work in your kitchen if you make those changes. It will make cooking so much more efficient, efficient and even fun!

I probably shouldn't add this but I can't keep my mouth closed sometimes. Your designer is NOT a great designer. Your designer is doing a hack job, focusing on appearances over function when you can have both function and a nice appearance, and is ignoring some of the most basic rules of kitchen design established by the NKBA. Is he/she a member? Just curious.

Wow, plenty of comments! I will try to respond to them more pointedly when I have more time. I neglected to say that the reason the sink was not moved is because it's centered on a window. Sorry! And the current range fan/hood has external venting already so it was convenient to leave it pretty much where it is, though as is currently, it is all of the way at the end so there is more room between sink and range.

is there a good option for a cap that would finish the range end without moving it over and losing that real estate?

Thanks for the great input!

Oh, and no microwave, just for reference. We would have a toaster oven. We're crunchy :)

Oh, well, keep the toaster oven on that fridge wall -- on the counter or on a shelf. Either way, however you reheat food should be grouped with the fridge and the dishes.

I would suggest you consider just having the sink not centered on the window. It doesn't have to be, and the kitchen would function far better, and you would get the view out the window over your main prep counter, which can be just as nice.

Or you can make the window larger and/or reposition it. More expensive, but lots of windows is always such a wonderful feature in any kitchen.

Agree with Jillius. There are many threads here regarding sinks not centered under windows. People typically spend more time prepping and enjoy the window during prep. Clean-up these days is usually loading the DW. YMMV

Definitely lots of people around here have not centered their sink on the window - there are threads about this if you search around. You spend more time prepping than cleaning, so I think it's fine to have the view if there is one from the prep counter. This would be much preferable to me than prepping on the other side of the sink (where DW and clean up is) and moving everything across that space to the stove. There also just isn't enough room around the stove top - I can't tell how much is on the end, but I have 12" on my non-prep end due to space constraints and it would be *much* nicer to have more than this. You need space for prep bowls, setting pots down, etc. It shouldn't cost too much to move the plumbing and this sounds easier than moving the exhaust, although ease obviously depends on what is above and below.

I agree with the others that you should try to find more space in between the range and the sink. Maybe you can shift the sink a little bit over but keep the faucet centered on the window, so it feels more centered.

I do understand not wanting to move the sink or the range/hood. If that really is fixed for you, plan on a sink that allows for accessories like a cutting board, so that you can give yourself a little more room to place things when you are cooking. I imagine that you will do most prep at the counter across from the sink, but you still want as much room near the range as possible for holding ingredients, spoons, etc.

Agree with everyone else on trying to get more prep space between range and sink.

On the fridge side, I'd put a full depth cabinet on top of the fridge with vertical dividers for cookie sheet and tray storage, like this:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/281404676690094762/

I'd also put a end panel on the side of the fridge to give it more of a built in look, rather than leaving an exposed side of the fridge itself. And make sure that the wall to right of fridge doesn't prevent you from opening the fridge door ... You might need a spacer in there

The sink can be moved to the left a bit without having to move all the plumbing. Just extend the plumbing line over through the base of the cabinets. It will need some angle for drainage. For the short distance we're talking about, this shouldn't be any problem at all for a good plumber or even a decent handyman/person.

In my build, I'm putting the prep area in front of the window - I prep more than wash. In my current dysfunctional kitchen, I have 15 inches on either side of my range - which has become largely storage for the knife block, oils, vinegars, and other condiments - so I've been doing most of my prep ON the range! Not remotely optional, and I long to move! (Whoever built this kitchen thought the future was in TV dinners...)