In Monday’s appliance post we mentioned a few appliance swaps—like replacing the wall oven and moving to a range—but that was only the start. Yesterday we also considered relocating the refrigerator, and after a lot of measuring and thinking, we settled on a new layout. Before I explain the final plan, here’s an update on the demo and the decision to move the fridge.
Last weekend we almost bought a slightly smaller, non-counter-depth refrigerator at an outlet — narrow enough to fit the existing spot but a touch deeper than ideal, so it would have stuck out into the kitchen more than we wanted. In the end, we hesitated because the size and finish weren’t quite right. We wanted a fingerprint-resistant stainless finish and a bit more capacity, so we revisited an idea we had briefly considered earlier in this renovation: moving the fridge to the opposite wall.
As it turned out, the large pantry cabinet on the other side of the kitchen was exactly the same width (36″) as the current fridge opening, not counting the cabinet housing the wall oven. That meant if we moved the pantry, the refrigerator could slide into its space. Doing so would allow a taller and wider counter-depth refrigerator—exactly the Frigidaire Gallery-style unit we wanted—so we decided to make the switch.
Making the swap also improves sightlines: once we open up the wall to the dining room and create a larger doorway, the fridge won’t be the first thing you see from the front door. Friends had suggested moving the fridge months ago for that very reason, but it felt complicated at the time. After measuring and confirming the widths, we ran to Lowe’s and picked out appliances at a discount, including the larger counter-depth fridge we’d been eyeing.
We hadn’t actually moved the pantry into the old fridge spot to make sure the two spaces were interchangeable, so we decided to test it immediately. After removing the side wall and cabinet above the current fridge, we emptied the pantry and began demoing the trim that secured it. Unscrewing and prying off the trim and a small granite drop spot took a few tools and some patience.
Removing the granite was straightforward—cut the caulk, pry with a screwdriver and crowbar—and revealed some unfinished paneling behind. We also discovered that this half of the kitchen doesn’t have original hardwood under the floor; it’s underlayment and subfloor. Not the prettiest discovery, but exactly the kind of thing you expect during a remodel.
Once trim and granite were out, we unscrewed the pantry cabinet at the back and on the side where it attached to the wall and the wall oven cabinet. With some shimmying and teamwork—one of us pushed while the other pulled—we were able to wiggle the pantry out of its pocket in the floor.
With the pantry removed, we unplugged and rolled the refrigerator into its new spot. It already felt better in the new layout even before final details were done. The pantry was reinstalled in the former fridge space, screwed back to the wall and to the adjacent cabinet, and ready to be restocked. Installing a water line for the ice/water dispenser in the new location is a simple DIY job; home improvement stores sell kits for that purpose.
Here are a few practical notes about the interim setup and our reasoning:
- The temporary white fridge sticks out more than we want, but our new counter-depth model is about six inches shallower.
- Because the new fridge will sit slightly to the right in its new location, it will feel less cramped and won’t block the door behind it.
- We’ll replace the tall cabinet next to the fridge with a standard-height base cabinet so that side of the kitchen doesn’t read like a heavy armoire.
We love the switch because it creates an extra six inches of clear space between the corner of the planned peninsula and the relocated pantry. That allows us to extend the peninsula by about three inches, yielding both a larger walkway and a slightly bigger peninsula surface. Visually, the pantry reads as less intrusive than the fridge did since it sits flush with adjacent cabinets; once painted white it will blend in even more.
One side of the kitchen shows more wear now because of exposed paneling, but that’s an easy fix with primer and paint. Once the new shallower fridge is set into place and shifted a bit to the right, and after we remove the wall oven cabinet, the layout will feel much more open. Functionally it’s better too: the sink, fridge, and range will form a true work triangle, and basic tasks will require fewer steps.
When we open up the wall to the dining room, the fridge will no longer dominate the view from the front door. The tall cabinet to the right of the pantry still looks oversized at the moment, but that will be adapted as part of the next phase of work.
To help visualize the change, I modeled the kitchen as it was when we moved in and then how it will look after the swaps and updates. The before layout showed the fridge and pantry positions as they originally were, while the updated plan reflects the swapped locations and appliance changes.
Summary of planned changes:
- Pantry and refrigerator will switch places to improve flow and sightlines.
- The cooktop and its base cabinet will be replaced with a range.
- The wall oven and its tall cabinet will be removed so that heavy vertical mass is no longer concentrated on one side.
- The over-the-range microwave will be relocated and built into the cabinetry near the pantry.
- An exposed vent hood will be installed where the low microwave/cabinet combo currently sits to meet code and improve ventilation.
- A wall of upper cabinets will be converted to open shelving to create a lighter, airier feel paired with concealed storage in the peninsula.
- We’re planning a unique backsplash treatment and will share inspiration pictures soon.
- The dishwasher stays in its current location.
What we’ll gain from these changes:
- A better, more efficient work triangle between sink, fridge, and stove.
- Lower appliance costs overall by opting for a range instead of separate wall ovens and cooktops.
- A more open, balanced kitchen aesthetic with one tall element on each side of the room.
- Increased walking space and more usable counter area by removing the bulky wall oven cabinet.
- No longer seeing the refrigerator immediately from the front door.
Next steps include appliance delivery and building in the shallower refrigerator in its new spot, installing the new range, microwave, and dishwasher hookups, and finishing the paint and trim. We’ll share progress and photos as we move forward. If you’ve ever rearranged cabinets and appliances to improve your kitchen layout, we’d love to hear about your experience and any tips you picked up along the way.