You don't say if this is a rental, but since you're sharing with roomies, I'm going to assume it is, so you don't want to and/or can't make any structural changes. My first thought is to put a shelf above the window that can hold mixing bowls, dutch ovens, stockpots, whatever, and keep them close at hand. Hooks on the underside of the shelf could hold anything hook-able - utensils or pots and pans. A large table or a dresser with an extended top surface placed under the table will provide additional storage and counter space.

My first instinct would be to put in a pantry on the wall that is not pictured that could go floor to ceiling. There are some awesome options for pull out spice storage, or creating a spice rack on the insides of the doors.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/96086/Showroom-Display-traditional-kitchen-boston

Then, I would get a kitchen island (long and narrow, with storage underneath) for the window wall.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/46796/kitchen-windows-traditional-kitchen-seattle

If moving plumbing isn't a cost issue, you could put a small prep sink in the island, and leave the existing one. I'd get a venting microwave to hang over the stove.

As it sounds like you're not opposed to doing a full kitchen remodel, I have several drastic recommendations. It looks like your windows are too low to do a wrap-around deal like you mentioned. My biggest problem with the layout is the sink location. If you were to shift the fridge out to the wall where the cat is hung (flipping the door opening direction), extend out the countertops, then put the sink along that wall. If you are right handed, I would put the sink 2' right of the fridge. (If left-handed, a little further away - would make space for a dishwasher!) Keep the stove where it is. Corners are useless, so store some of your more elegant appliances there. Biggest space saver - forget open shelving. Though it's en vogue, it doesn't allow for more storage space. You have to keep things "pretty" in order to store them on the shelves. I suggest taking out the top cabinets and replacing them with full-height ones. Take 'em all the way to the ceiling! Extend the crown around the tops for a built-in look. You're losing a solid 1' of storage by not enclosing that space. Finally, I think you're right-on for using a butcher block/island. Hopefully you can clean some of that up and make it more functional with the additional storage space up top.

I take it that you own and don't rent. The big question--how long do you plan to have housemates? This kitchen has a pretty good work triangle for a standard kitchen, where one or two people are working at cooking the same meal.

What's causing the trouble here isn't the kitchen, it's the number of people using it at the same time.

I think if you combine the idea of moving the refrigerator to the left and adding counter and cabinet space where it currently is, and putting a work island with storage in the middle of the kitchen, you can solve most of your problems.

Moving doorways costs money. Moving sinks costs a lot of money. Think carefully about making such major changes, unless you plan to have housemates for years and years. If you are planning on housemates for just a couple of years, do you really want to remodel the kitchen now, and then again in a few years, when the remodeled kitchen doesn't work for someone living alone?

Or you could assign cooking times for all the housemates. Or one person could cook for everyone on Monday, the second person could cook for everyone on Tuesday, and so on.

wanna trade kitchens? i'd love to have that much space and flexibility :) i'm currently re-doing my kitchen and it's about half that size with 2 windows and 2 doors

The first thing I'd do is reverse the refrigerator doors to hinge on the left side. That would drive me nuts.

Problem #1:
-Without a floorplan it is difficult to tell what the most efficient layout would be....

Problem #2:
-I would add a shelving unit or work table in the space next to the refrigerator (under the Chat Noir print.) You could store all of those additional appliances & supplies in neatly labeled baskets that are easy to pull out on a meal-by-meal basis. If you decide to put a work table here, one of you could prep out of the way.

-If there is not enough room to add an island, you could use a movable kitchen cart (IKEA has some decent options)

I would suggest uploading a floorplan with dimensions to get some more specific recommendations.

I would start with a moveable butcher block table in the middle, storage space under. That is the cheapest way to get what you are asking for. Also agree that your fridge door opens the wrong way for layout (this is usually adjustable without replacing fridge). I would put in floor to ceiling open shelves to the left of the fridge for more storage as well. Or if it's food you want to store more of, make it closed storage unit. Consider getting a built in fan/microwave put above your stove as a way to free up the butcher block you already have.

It looks pretty large to me, but my perspective is from a person with a small kitchen. The way we work it out at our place is to make sure one person is doing the main cooking for one meal, and asking for help if needed, not all three people in the kitchen at once.

I'm going to offer a different solution. I've compared your kitchen cabinets and drawers (the ones that are showing) to mine, and they're roughly equal. In fact, you have a few more. I'd say that if you don't have enough storage, you might consider decluttering/downsizing first. Then see if you really need more storage. I have a family with food allergies and other limitations. We don't go to restaurants. We DO prepare food at home every single meal. So we have plenty of cookware and appliances. You might try getting a good book (or a few) about organizing and see if you have a lot of duplicate things where you could pare down. I found a great book by Laura Leist that's good for sorting/purging and then organizing what's left.

Aside from that, I like the idea of a prep cart on wheels w/ one or two storage shelves. Allows more room for more people to prepare food as well as storage for kitchen stuff. Lots cheaper than a full remodel, too!

The MOST brilliant thing I have in my kitchen is a commercial stainless steel table on casters. Look around on Craigslist or check if there's a used restaurant supply/furniture place in town. We picked ours up (60"X30") used and with new casters it was around $175, IIRC. You may be able to find one that already has them. This will give you lots of extra work space and you can store things on the lower shelf. I also use it for starting seeds for the garden, mix up concrete on it and assorted other messy things, which it stands up to and cleans up easily. And it's our dining table as well. Most versatile, useful thing in the kitchen.

First, move the fridge to the left (where the painting is now) and reverse the doors, a simple diy. Then extend the countertop into the fridge's previous space. If you're looking for permanent, add a base cabinet & top with either butcher block or marble (do you bake? Your cooking habits will determine the appropriate topper). If temporary suits you, or you just need to buy some time, slide a rolling cart into that space as a functional place marker.

I don't see how you can possibly need more storage but that's what you said, so I'm going with it. If storage is a must, add a window seat beneath those lovely windows with storage underneath which is accessible from the exterior (meaning you don't have to lift the seat for access). Consider sliding or hidden doors with adjustable shelving to house those kitchen appliances you need to store. MEASURE and measure again those appliances and have the window seat custom built. You'll not only have more storage, you'll have a comfy place for friends or the odd housemate to relax & socialize while one or two of you are cooking.

It seems the space next to the fridge could be really useful. You could have a pantry built or even some kind of custom storage that holds your appliances but also has a shelf/table top pull out so you can use the appliances there. Or you could place something with storage and a surface there, like a dresser or free standing island. Then put in open shelving over it. That way you have another surface that's out of the way of other chefs and extra storage.

For spices, a magnetic rack would be good for the fridge as long as they won't be affected by the fridge temp. Sounds like you'll need a lot of space for them. Or if you do a pantry, you could put a large spice rack on the door (inside or out) for easy access. I've also seen cabinet options that fold up inside the cabinet so you can layer the spices and still get to them easily. If you cabinet shelves allow space for storage on cabinet doors, you could put spice racks on the inside of several. One other idea you'd probably need a contractor for, if you have some empty wall space, build some "between the studs" storage for your spices- AT had a post on this recently.
http://www.thekitchn.com/5-examples-of-kitchen-storage-between-the-studs-176838

If you don't put spices on the fridge, you could have magnetic knife racks on the sides of the fridge.

switch the doors on the fridge to open from the other side. that may help with traffic flow.

Definitely get (or custom build since we're throwing money around) a long table with storage underneath for the space next to the fridge. You can make that a prep area -- perhaps a coffee/baking center with your food processor, espresso machine, kitchen aid, your bowls etc. Get a great big chopping board. Keep the knives there. Put up open shelves for storage of dishes or dry goods or whatever, and put the microwave there.

I think the problem is that most people are most comfortable doing their prep near the sink -- that's why you are jockeying for space. Give people a reason and the tools to be in another area of the kitchen, use a garbage bowl and then take turns at the stove and you should be good to go. Definitely change the hinges on the fridge.

if you are going to be renovating the kitchen -- moving plumbing -- expect to spend at least $30K -- probably more if you go for solid surface counters, upgraded appliances. Figure on at least 50K. Don't waste 10K moving around sinks and repairing drywall until you're ready fora top to bottom reno.

And its hard to tell without a floor plan - but perhaps get rid of that smallish pub table and replace with something larger, more useful as yet another prep space -- a large island with some bar stools pulled up for when you want to eat.

I highly recommend that you work with what you have and spend your $ on awesome cookware/tools and gourmet ingredients. Unless this is your forever home, do not move plumbing...it is insanely expensive. If what you're shooting for is increased storage, I would not recommend taking out your cabinets to replace them with open shelving.

My thoughts (echoing many already suggested):

1. Switch the fridge handle to the right-side (not as easy as it sounds - make sure you have someone to help you do this). Switching the handle will make loading and unloading the fridge much easier. You will hate it for about 3 days after the switch, but then you'll get used to it.

2a. Add an awesome baking station (with mixer, baking staples, other appliances) to the left of the fridge. Or this could be a space for open shelving or a pot-rack above. Keep in mind you might not like walking all the way over there to get a pot, etc.

2b. Build a pantry to the left of the fridge. I have a floor to ceiling pantry to in the exact place and my roommate gets the bottom half and I take the top half to store canned goods/baked goods, etc. Love it.

3. Definitely add an island. I'm not sure how large your butcher block is but an island would add an additional prep station for another cook.

4. You could store your most commonly used spices in the cabinet to the left of the stove and less commonly used spices magnetized to the right side of the fridge.

5. For efficiency, you could easily install some Ikea Grundtal rails for hanging storage underneath your cabinets. http://www.ikeahackers.net/2008/08/quick-hat-and-coat-rack.html
or above your sink like this: http://www.bloomize.com/magnetic-knife-holder/

6. For aesthetics, I'd recommend changing out the cabinet handles to something you love. Changing cabinet accessories will change the look of your kitchen instantly. I'd also get a white stove to match your white appliances.

Um...the stove IS white. (???)

I agree with several comments here:
1. switch handles on the refrigerator to the right side.
2. add storage and counter space on the left of the fridge.
3. replace the cabinet handles.
4. declutter - I have half the amount of cabinets you have, and I can cook anything. No, really, declutter. If you don't use it every month, get rid of it, or store it in a closet/garage. You really only need 3x per person. As in, 4 people only need 12 place settings, 12 glasses. People survive every day without rice cookers, slow cookers, electric kettles, etc.
5. Your kitchen is a sad visit to oak town. If you can, paint those darned cabinets. A nice greenish muddy French gray.

Is there really nothing to the left of the fridge? Just an empty wall?

If so, here's my relatively easy & cheap 2c:

- Pull out the cabinet above the stove and replace it with a microwave range hood combo and one shelf or a small wine rack above the microwave range hood. (Be careful w/ the crown moulding. You might ask a carpenter for a hand with this one.)

- Find or create some sort of cabinet height table to the left of the fridge, maybe with a butcher block top. (I'm not sure what the table you refer to is like, maybe that.) Stick a curtain under it to hide your trays and pots and pans. You can keep the vitamix or food processor on top of that table. Ta da. New work space for one roommate.

- Put open shelving above the new cabinet height table. Tearing out the rest of your cabinets will *not* increase your overall storage space. Measure carefully what you want to store on your shelving to make sure that what you want to put there will fit.

- Paint the backsplash area behind the new cabinet height table with that magnetic wall paint and stick your spices-in-magnetic-containers there. (If you want this closer to the stove, you can also get a piece of thin board, paint it with the magnetic paint and some sort of high gloss paint, and mount it where the backsplash is to the left of your stove.)

I do second the "declutter as much as possible" recommendations. I buy spices in bulk and when I had a small kitchen, I would fill up one container and store the rest out of the kitchen.

Also, before you do anything, write down everything you NEED to keep in your kitchen, what kind of storage container it needs (drawers, upper cabinet, stays on counter, etc.) and then use that to organize your cabinets by stations.

I think your kitchen is really cute, by the way, and pleasantly neutral. Besides the organizational stuff, you can do some really fun things with accessories swapping out with the seasons to perk it up. Good luck!

"Your kitchen is a sad visit to oak town." Hahahaha. You're so right.

How many people are living here? This kitchen seems huge! Unless of course its 5 people or more.
Very simple storage solution that i have used in every apartment the last 10 years -- the space above the cabinets. It NEEDS to be used. Nice glass jars for flour, sugar, etc. And then big rectangular baskets (ikea has lots of cheap but good looking ones) for other food items.
i don't know what the situation is within each cabinet, but also those little table thingies to add shelf foor area if the shelves are spaced too wide. container store has nice bamboo ones.

Cook together.

Move the fridge down. Fill in the whole where the fridge with a countertop storage unit to give yourself more counter space and storage. That way you can use the sink, open the fridge and have more work space.

I can't believe you need more storage - that kitchen is HUGE! As for workspace there are some great ideas above but why do two of you have to cook at the same time? The cheapest way to solve the problem would be to fix a schedule.