smallkitchen, why call it a "very awkward corner"? It's OK. It's nine feet from the return walls to the curtains. That's fine. I might put an iMac control / message center in that corner, along with a comfy armchair. Definitely not a dining table, because I don't like having that as a focal point upon entering. The other "small" wall, visible in images 4, 5, and especially 6, has to stay there. When you enter, you see it first. It's really a big focal point. Right now it's white like the other walls. I'd put a medium size tall mirror on it to draw your eye away from it and away from the curtained wall too. Of course I haven't seen what the mirror would show, the rest of the space and the views, so take that FWIW. Hmm, I think I read that you want to take it down, and leave only a column. I wouldn't do that. Too much open space is not good. Walling off some space is good. Perhaps a frosted window there, next to a tall narrow mirror, might do it.... but it's lots of work for little impact, imho based not on being there but only seeing photos. If I bought your space, here are a number of improvements which I'd shoot for. This list is derived from rewriting other poster's comments saying what they like best about their new kitchen, and edited to suit your small space. 30" deep counters on one side Uninterrupted counterspace Enough useful counterspace in each area More space to prep defined areas - clean up food (running water and places to hold, i.e. sink and DW) - heat food (oven/cooktop or range, MW) - store food (refrigerator, pantry, drawer for bread, drawer for spices garlic & onion bin, separate cool dark dry place for potato bin, etc) A message center. A place to sit. A place to bake. A place to prep. A place to wash up. A stool or perch for the second person in the kitchen Distinct work zones with relevant tools stored there; 2 sets of some articles Space that enables both to cook simultaneously; 2 distinct zones Layout arranged to get more natural light and better views No wall cabinets in one of the zones / areas Uncluttered counters: knife pullout and appliance garage "Yay for less stuff on my gorgeous counters!" Natural light maximized via windows and lack of obstructions Light, lots and lots of light Overhead recessed Under cabinet task lighting Under cabinet lighting -- ditto Pretty pendants dimmer switches Dimmers ... "didn't think we needed undercab lights, but we put them in and I love them. I don't care for overhead lighting much. I love the undercab lights and I can work without the recessed on overhead. I put dimmers on everything in the kitchen and I love how it can be 'romantic' in the kitchen"... window looking into woods mirrors & mirror film on glass cabinet doors, located to maximize natural light from window natural light, sunshine, a light airy feeling, and pretty views out the windows. ...A general quality of the space that makes you want to be there, whether you're cooking or not... Induction cooktop ..."Clean up is such a breeze and induction uses less energy than conventional electric or gas. It's so fast and it has a setting so low as to barely melt chocolate"... Dish drawer dishwasher Big one bowl sink Big one bowl siligranite sink Super single Blanco sink a fridge with a freezer on the bottom Smaller fridge place to store a stepstool if your cabs go to the ceiling pullout in extra deep base, for pantry Toe Kick drawers ...Toekick drawers that others have (darn for not finding this forum sooner)... Bread drawer ..."Of all the expensive things in my new kitchen, my simple bread drawer is my favorite thing. It keeps the breads and bakery items off of the counter and I don't have to keep it in the fridge"... pot and pan drawers Pots and pans drawers a drawer for dishes Deep drawers Drawers, drawers, and more drawers lots of drawers ..."I keep my daily dishes in one and my shoulders appreciated not having to lift them into a wall cupboard. I hated the two "door" cabinets I had because I had to sit on the floor to dig things out. The new kitchen is almost all drawers -- and the two door cupboards have pullouts this time"... Soft close mechanism Full-extension drawer glides Full extension drawers "... wouldn't be without them..." Big deep drawers and a slim cabinet to stand your cookie sheets in flat storage cabinet for trays, mats, etc., and a vertical storage cabinet for platters, plus a pull-out for baking boards cabinet full of vertical racks for storing cutting boards, platters, cookie sheets, etc. A pitchers and vases cupboard or deep drawer. Frameless cabinets maximize volume inside. Never MT Never MT "...haven't filled a soap bottle in over two years... Tapmaster "...really saves on water usage and makes it so easy to wash hands when they're all gunky... Flat-screen tv; sound system under-cabinet molding/trim. ...The cabinets look *framed* and *finished*... ..."I should have put in pullouts (with doors attached) for spices, small appliances. I did pullout trays (deep and shallow - would have been better all deep), but you still have to open the doors and then pull them out. It would have been better all drawers/pullouts (with doors attached)"... ---- I didn't mention disposers and trash: how is garbage managed in your condo building? -- David

Okay, here are two more ideas, with windows and doors in existing locations, plumbing untouched but with the gas line moved. These plans use Ikea cab sizes (rounded up, obviously). I spec'd a CD fridge in both plans to avoid crowding the back door. I eliminated the peninsula and swapped it for an island with room for 2 seats. Eliminating the peninsula allowed me to move the range down the wall, giving you more prep room between sink and range. The island is composed of a counter supported by 2 legs at the lower end and an upper cabinet serving as a base cabinet at the top end (check Ikea hacks, this has been done before). The lower end of the island is open for seating like this [Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Charleston Cabinets & Cabinetry K & K Custom Cabinets LLC Plan D adds a peninsula for seating opposite the fridge. The 3 cabinets in the lower left corner are upper cabs used as base cabs. Stack an additional 12" and 24" on top of the bottom 2 to create a shallow pantry. The 24" cab below the window is only one high, topped with counter. You can eliminate the doors and have a bookcase/display case here instead. The top side of the peninsula has one each 12" and 30" wide base cabs, facing the fridge, for more storage and serving as counter support. The peninsula has room for 3 seats with ample aisles behind the seats. I curved the lower right end of the counter overhang. You can use the peninsula as additional prep area, buffet counter, snack center.... Whatever fits your needs. This post was edited by lisa_a on Sun, Jul 13, 14 at 16:50

You should do what's best for you. I've updated two homes, always considering what has "mass appeal" for resale and both buyers ended up ripping out a lot of stuff anyway. In college I worked in a bakery and the giant work bench and the decorating station was a standard 36", but I've read here that people like "baking stations" (in marble?) at a lower level.

I hesitate to put other stock plans up here, because I believe you can absolutely do better with a plan designed specifically for you, but even in the world of stock plans there are better options. Compare what you shared with this, for example. It's an H shape, and the rooms will get so much more light and have better flow. https://houseplans.co/house-plans/1240/