Where should you place the cat's litter pan

[Catherine]

Either Edward is an easy going cat or you guessed where he wanted things first try.   Seriously though, you picked obviously convenient places because they are convenient.

Most people I know seem to have their litter pan in a spot the cat likes. Maybe most of the people I know are in tune with their cats.
If you are the one cleaning the litter pan you don't want it in an awkward place. The same would go for food. It would be messy to have the food and litter in the same place. You want it to be handy to the place where you store the food.  I never had any problems when I had cats.