My IKEA kitchen is like option #2 but without the over-the-refrigerator cabinet because one wouldn't fit. I think it's fine to just keep it simple and expose the entire side of the refrigerator.

I assume the cabinet next to the door is the same height as the other wall cabinets, not sitting on the counter.

-- amateur

The cabinet next to the window is actually sitting on the counter as it set up to look like a hutch. The roofline dips, so I can’t hang it 18” above the countertop on that end of the L.

Here’s what it looks like IRL.

Curious as to what brand refrig you bought, we are looking for one that size.

Unique

Whirlpool has a similar size.

Whirlpool

Are you going to use dark cabinet fronts? The kitchen area looks pretty dark as there's no window. Also, the cabinet adjacent to the window will block light and make the kitchen area even darker.

I would do a 15" cabinet above the fridge, no side panel. In a guest apartment, you don't need to maximize every inch of storage space, as you might for a full-time home.

I’m doing the black stained ikea shaker fronts. I have hemmed and hawed over this and it’s the best solution without paying for custom doors or cabinets, and I don’t want to paint. I love painted, but in a guest space(possible Airbnb) I know they will get chipped. IKEAs whites are thermofoil, and look a bit too beachy or farmhouse to me. I wanted to do green, but their green door is a raised panel and looks too formal for a log cabin. The space actually photographs darker than it is. My pics above are with the blinds all closed as it’s currently not being used so I’m trying keep the sun from heating it up and also don’t want to have the sun shining on the wood floors all day. I will also be adding a hanging light fixture in the kitchen when I do the remodel.

(not a pro) What does the side of the refrigerator look like? (It doesn't have to be fancy, but I would want something that's not too hard to clean.) A panel would probably help prevent things from spilling between the cabinets and refrigerator so I think I'd prefer that. (The panel on the cabinet side of my fridge rests on the counter top, with silicone at the edge.) I think bringing the over-fridge cabinet forward is a good idea - it could be hard to access a cabinet that's shallower than the fridge. (Try reaching over your fridge and 9" back, and that's just to reach the door handle, yes? You'd have to reach further back to get an item out.)

The side looks like the front from what I can tell. I’m still deciding between white and aqua. My 3 best friends love the aqua.

This retro Chambers MRS33009SB is sky blue (rather expensive, though)

The aqua one is under $1000. And it has a matching 24” range.

If you're asking what I think you're asking....My recommendation it to use a side panel the full depth of the refrigerator box/carcass. That way, it will look built-in. We did something similar. While our shallower upper cabinet does not go down to the counter, it's still only 12" deep compared to the 26" or so for the side panels flanking the refrigerator:

Buehl, that’s it exactly. I was trying to decide how a full 24” deep side panel would look with a standard depth wall cabinet against it. Your pic is just what I needed to visualize it!

I would pull cabinet even with the 24” deep pantry and use a panel. Only slightly more work and the cabinet becomes accessible by being at the front of the fridge.