Before anything else allow me to veer off-topic. Does anyone know whether chickens cook much tastier & tenderer in a smaller size oven? Because I know that I (and someone else) cook chickens the exact same way as my sister, i.e. we just smear the top with duck sauce, sprinkle seasoning & pop 'em in. Yet my sister (who has a built-in oven) has her chickens tasting much better than mine, even tho we do the same exact thing. But, then, I’ve been using an ancient inherited 50-year old “Estate” oven.
Bear, very funny 
I was actually just thinking of renovating (an addition to the house); but the kitchen would be quite small due to zoning restrictions. However not that small. And I got to thinking, why do appliance makers limit people by not taking into account those with cramped spaces? (i.e. I’d have preferred to design the range opposite the island, but given the limitations, it’s not feasible.)
Aseymo (and D.Marie), No, I like the idea of a 30" freestanding gas range.
Kiffa (and D.Marie) you took the words out of my mouth, because just today I saw at Sears a Kenmore steel deluxe oven (over $2000!) just like Kiffa described. With the left third of the oven designated as a separate oven with a SIDE-OPENING door… SO… I take back what I said to Water about rubberizing the door (since that Kenmore deluxe’s side-hinged door was NOT rubberized.)
Kinsey, I also had the same thought as you (because while considering my kitchen layout, I got to thinking, "hey, what if my microwave would have to be put in a RIGHT corner-counter (instead of left-corner - BTW, I hate over-the-range microwaves. I like my microwave to be no higher than counter-height or even lower, to be able to see the food & slide it out easily direct onto the counter.
SO, INDEED (quoting Kiffa):
“MANUFACTURERS NEED TO BE MORE IN TOUCH WITH THEIR USERS FOR CONSUMER FRIENDLY APPLIANCES.” And I’ll add to that:
They ought to provide switchable microwave doors similar to fridge doors (to open either way).
Stuy, I thought of what you said too (except in my case, I was thinking of a ledge to rest the pans on.) Maybe as you open the door, a NARROW ledge can slide out or pop down? But, in any case, this topic is re: providing a solution for cramped areas. I guess you can’t always have your cake & eat it too, huh? 