In Monday’s appliance post we mentioned a few appliance swaps — like taking out the wall oven and installing a range — but that was only the beginning. Yesterday we also mentioned considering a new location for the refrigerator. Now everything has been decided, and we’re excited to share the plan. But first, let’s revisit the demo and the decision process.
This past weekend we almost bought a slightly smaller, non-counter-depth fridge from the outlet. It was narrow enough to fit the existing fridge opening, but it would have stuck out farther into the room because modern fridges are generally deeper than older models. At the last minute, we stalled. We were proud to have found a fridge to fit the tight space, but we didn’t want to compromise on size or finish — we wanted fingerprint-resistant stainless steel. So we reconsidered an idea that had seemed odd at first: moving the fridge to the opposite side of the kitchen.
It turned out the large pantry cabinet on the other side of the room measured exactly the same width (36″) as the fridge’s current spot. That meant, if we moved the pantry, the fridge could relocate to that wall. Doing so would allow us to install a taller, wider fridge that still read as counter-depth — the Frigidaire Gallery we’d been eyeing and ultimately bought. The switch would also keep the fridge out of direct view from the front door once we open up the kitchen/dining room doorway, an improvement several friends had casually suggested.
Armed with measurements, we headed to the big-box store and purchased our appliances at a deep discount, including the counter-depth fridge we really wanted. Because we’re a little paranoid about assumptions, we didn’t want to wait days to verify the swap would physically work. After removing the side wall and the cabinet above the original fridge earlier in the week, we moved the pantry across the room that night.
First we emptied the pantry onto the counters — a temporary mess but nothing we hadn’t survived before. Then we removed the trim around the pantry with a hammer and flathead screwdriver, and we pulled out a small triangular section of granite that we used as a drop spot. We never loved that piece aesthetically, so it felt refreshingly cathartic to remove it. With the adhesive cut and the slab pried loose, we exposed more of the unpainted paneling behind.
We unscrewed the pantry where it was fastened to the wall and to the adjacent wall-oven cabinet, then shimmed and stepped it out of its little alcove in the floor. A short but satisfying team effort and the pantry was in its new location. That confirmed our measurements and allowed us to roll the fridge into its new position. We reattached the pantry to the wall and to the cabinet beside it, then restocked it with food. Moving the water line for the new fridge location is straightforward; DIY kits make that easy if you opt to run one or hire a plumber if you prefer.
With the new configuration, the white fridge currently in the old spot looks bulky and protruding, but our incoming fridge is about six inches less deep and will be shifted a few inches to the right. That will make the area feel less cramped and open up more room behind it. We’ll swap the tall cabinet beside the fridge for a regular-height base cabinet so that side of the room won’t feel like a dominating armoire.
The switch gives us an extra six inches between the corner of the planned peninsula and the former fridge location. Since that walking path was already comfortable, we’ll use some of that space to extend the peninsula by about three inches, gaining both a slightly larger walkway and a slightly larger peninsula surface.
Visually, the pantry feels less intrusive than the fridge once it’s flush with the surrounding cabinets, and once painted white it will blend in even more seamlessly. The exposed paneling on the opposite wall looks worse now, but that’s an easy fix with primer and paint. Once the shallower fridge is built into its new spot and the wall-oven cabinet is removed, the room will feel much more balanced and convenient. I’ll be able to reach the fridge from the sink with a single pivot instead of a series of sidesteps, and the kitchen’s work triangle will finally feel like a real triangle.
When we open the wall to the dining room, visitors won’t immediately see a large stainless fridge from the front door. The tall cabinet to the right of the pantry still looks out of scale, but it will be adapted as part of the ongoing work.
To summarize the plan and the changes:
- The pantry and refrigerator are swapping places.
- The cooktop and the base cabinet beneath it will be replaced with a range.
- The wall oven and its cabinet will be removed and replaced with the base cabinet that used to sit under the cooktop, reducing bulk on that side of the room.
- The over-the-range microwave will be relocated to the countertop area next to the pantry and will be built in, similar to our previous kitchen.
- An exposed vent hood will replace the current too-low microwave/cabinet combo for code compliance and better functionality.
- A wall of upper cabinets will be converted to open shelving to create a lighter, more open feel, balanced by concealed storage in the peninsula.
- We have a fun backsplash idea in the works that we’ll share soon.
- The dishwasher will remain in its current location.
What we’ll gain from these changes:
- A better work triangle and more convenient kitchen flow.
- Lower appliance costs overall by avoiding separate purchases of a new wall oven and cooktop.
- A much more open, balanced look with tall elements distributed on both sides of the room.
- More space between the peninsula and the room’s perimeter.
- More usable counter surface where the wall-oven cabinet is removed.
- No direct view of the fridge from the entry once the doorway is opened.
We’ll keep sharing progress as the appliances are delivered and installed, and as we build the shallower fridge into its new location and install the range, microwave, and dishwasher. It’s a lot of moving parts, but the result will be a more functional and visually pleasing kitchen. If you’ve ever moved cabinetry or appliances to improve your kitchen’s layout, we’d love to hear about your experience.