Sorry for misreading your original. Just to repeat what pal said in a different way, a counter depth ref is often 30" deep by the time the doors and handles are added. A normal depth ref is 36" deep. Your aisle can become only 2'9" right in front of the ref. Also, in case you might not know, a sxs or a french door ref pretty much needs landing space that is behind you as you stand in front of it (pivot and set down). Landing space to either side isn't so good because most people can't reach the counter without walking around the open door. I think you thinkin' looks with those shelves and I'm thinkin' they won't actually work. Try this out at home with cardboard boxes holding books - it's not so easy to find the one you want when the spines face the other direction. For me, I'd be forced to reach blind and wronghanded for the ones stored on the right side. I wouldn't be able to reach most of the ones in the other corner at all without a step stool because the micro would get in the way. Pretty much, you can't put a hood that high over a range. Most of them max out at 30-36" above the surface of the burners (or whatever). So - these are two different little sketches on one drawing - conceptual, not measured. The first is a blue sky thought that would take resiting the mudroom and what I hope is an extra powder room. Cause I would be looking to do something more like the sketch in terms of kitchen space and placement. The second is an alternate of just the window area - much like rhome's cleanup area - to eliminate some of the access issues and possibly better positioning of the micro.

I am the original poster- don't know what happened, but my original garden web account seems to have gotten mixed in with my houzz account. Anyway... not trying to troll or anything here. This is really a fascinating thread, and definitely highlights the challenges of designing for a smaller space when every inch counts! I think the most compelling argument here is focused on what is needed for today vs. what MAY be needed of tomorrow. So, it's not really about functionality but risk and probability. It's too bad we don't have a nice little financial equation that will help us determine the "net present value" of the choices. I really just hate wasting money, and want to do every bit of planning possible to avoid the potential of having to rip something out in the future because it was a poor decision. I think my primary problem is that I really want a 30' x 40' kitchen with high end appliances and all of the bling I could possibly imagine. But, that is not my reality. And, it's really hard to figure out what is most important and how to choose when I can only afford about 35% of what I want. It's really hard on these forums to communicate a budget - I have no issue moving my fridge and range to opposite ends of the universe, but there is a cost involved in that, and I really need to be careful how I allocate my budget. So, I have chosen to leave my electrical and plumbing pieces where they are - and stay within the current footprint. I have to say - it can be pretty intimidating posting and asking for help when you are one of the "I have a small kitchen" folks. I really have no idea what I will end up with. But, I do know that I will post my updates as they occur as I want to ensure future "small galley kitchen" searches have something to reference! Thank you so very much to all of the wonderful comments and advice I have received. Funkycamper, benjesbride - you guys have been providing feedback and valuable input for the past 6 months as I have persevered to navigate the very rough waters of kitchen design. The end is so very near and this is the most stressful process I have EVER experienced!

After seeing benjesbride's idea to add a door, this would be a more direct route to the pantry, and it preserves the sink/pass-through. The door is narrow (30"), and would have no facing, and the counter overhangs would be flush with the edges. I have a similar sized door between the kitchen and LR,--the cabinet edge is flush with the door opening, and the counter wraps the 'facing'. We have a lot of traffic through that opening, but no problems. If you use 1" overhangs, the total length of the wall would be 123". You would also have the option of a wall oven, leaving drawer space under a cooktop, and eliminating a blind corner. That space could also be used for a coffee center. Disadvantages would be that anyone coming from the mudroom might cut through your work space to get to the LR, although taking the hallway would be the same distance, and the wall oven step-back space is tight. If you skip the wall oven, that would be perfect spot for a KA mixer. :) With no upper cabinets on the range wall, I gave you a 42" hood to help capture steam and grease.

Perhaps an outlet in the pantry for a potential microwave? I’m no pro but have very similar needs to you and planning a very similar layout! So I’ll throw some of my ideas at you that I’m using. The RoomPlanner app might be helpful for you (even the free version) to lay it out. Here’s a screenshot from mine. You can’t get specific with cabinets but it still helps. I want a lot of lower drawers as well. On my baking station side I chose to do shelves to break up the cabinets and I’ll do jars of baking ingredients on them. Then to the left of the fridge is a cabinet that will open up and have a counter inside for our blender to sit on, coffee stuff may go there or on the baking station. I wanted the blender close to the fridge. My baking station will be 30” deep instead of standard depth which will make my fridge look like a counter depth fridge, deepen the blender cabinet, and provide me with more usable counter in front of counter top appliances. I’m considering Ikea cabinets with custom fronts from somewhere like Scherrs or Semihandmande I think is the other, or possibly all out custom. If I do Ikea cabinets I’ll just have them installed more forward for the deeper baking station (except for the blender cabinet I’d need a custom solution) and the counter tops will hide the gap. I’d love to see your project progress as it’s so similar to mine but you’re ahead of me!