u/AdvancedSquare8586

We are remodeling a kitchen and having a hard time finalizing our plans. We've more or less narrowed things down to two competing ideas (#1 and #2 above). Generally, we strongly prefer the look of #1, but are worried that it may be annoying to actually use.

Layout #1 (Top):

• PRO: We really, really like how clean the look is and that the only visible appliance is "hidden" below the countertop. (We really hate the look of kitchen appliances)
• PRO: The wider upper cabinets mean that the two cabinets that hide the stove vent will actually have functional room on the sides of the vent, which we could use for storing baking sheets and cutting boards.
• PRO: A little bit more useable countertop space (the countertop on the short-side is 6" longer in this arrangement than in the other).
• PRO: More storage space with the tall pantry cabinet on the side (a bigger pro than it may at first seem, as the rest of our pantry space in the house is relatively far from the kitchen work areas).
• CON: Only one oven. We do have a second kitchen in the basement, but trying to cook between two different floors would obviously be very inconvenient. On the other hand, we only really host larger dinners ~6-7 times a year.
• CON: Microwave is hidden inside the pantry. This feels like by far the biggest problem, as the microwave is such a high-use appliance.

Layout #2 (Bottom):

• PRO: Two ovens in the main kitchen at a more ergonomic height. As mentioned before, we don't host large gatherings all that often. However, it does seem like double wall-ovens are an expectation in the neighborhood (every listing I've seen in the area has them).
• PRO: Don't need to open a cabinet to use the microwave.
• PRO: "Skinnier" cabinets may help the kitchen look taller (by far the biggest downside of the kitchen is that it only has 8' ceilings).
• PRO: Both sets of "useable" upper cabinets would open together, making for lots of interior room in them.
• CON: The middle set of upper cabinets that hide the stove vent become entirely unusable and would be decorative only.
• CON: The wall-ovens would be right next to the passage into the dining room. That opening is only 4' wide, which makes us worried about having the ovens so close to an area that people would be walking past regularly.
• CON: A little less countertop space along the short-wall than in the other layout.

Other Notes:

• Not shown is the kitchen island, which is quite large (14'x4') and will house the sink/dishwasher/etc. The walkways between the cabinet walls and the island are 4' wide.
• Before you warn us: yes, we are aware that we need a special microwave if we're going to put it inside the pantry cabinet to avoid fire hazards. :)

Questions:

• Are we crazy to consider layout #1?
• The biggest problem with layout #1 (the microwave in the pantry), could be addressed by putting a drawer microwave in the island. We hate drawer microwaves, but do you think we'd find one more convenient than an in-pantry microwave?
• We could get more countertop space along the short-side by narrowing the entrance into the dining room. However, that entrance is currently 4' wide, and we're very worried about going any narrower. Would you prioritize countertop space, or a wider entry into the dining room?

NOTE: The "design inspiration" pic is AI-generated (and also not a particularly good representation of the layout).