When it comes to kitchen islands, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how far it should be from the refrigerator. It depends on a number of factors, including the size and layout of your kitchen, the type of refrigerator you have, and your personal preferences.
If you have a small kitchen, placing the island too close to the fridge can make the space feel cramped. On the other hand, if your fridge is on the larger side, you'll want to make sure there's enough room between it and the island so that people can comfortably walk by. In general, leaving about 36 inches of clearance between the fridge and island is a good rule of thumb.
The type of refrigerator you have can also impact how much space should be left between it and the island. For example, if you have a side-by-side fridge with doors that open outwards, you'll need more clearance than if you had a top-freezer unit with doors that open inwards.
Finally, it's important to consider your own cooking and entertaining habits when deciding on the ideal placement for your kitchen island. If you do a lot of entertaining and need quick access to drinks and snacks, positioning the island closer to the fridge may be best. On the other hand, if you prefer to keep food preparation separate from socializing areas, placing it further away might work better for you.