Could you post a floor plan showing how the kitchen links to the other rooms and the dimensions of the kitchen itself? It's hard to envision where there might be a little space to play. Thanks!

If you could also include some basic budget info that would help too.

Unfortunately, I don't have a measured floor plan and I am currently 1200 miles away... As far as budget, my wild a$$ guess would be $15,000-$25,000??? I am thinking we would keep all appliances the same for right now because it is a rental. Someday (hopefully in 4-5 years), we'll retire and be able to spend much more time there -- then I will replace with stainless steel appliances.

I guess my main questions right now, is what do people think of pass-thrus?

And are white cabinets at the end of their popularity run?

Are full-overlay cabinets pretty much standard now? What about inset doors?

What would you value more -- more cabinets or a two person eat-in kitchen?

What else are people putting in these days?

We remodeled our home kitchen 12 years ago (maple cabs) so I am out of the loop on what is "in".

Here is an example of another unit where they removed the pass-thru and did the tray ceiling in the kitchen:

Personally I don't mind a pass thru, but I think most people wanting a modern layout would remove that wall between the dining and kitchen.

To maximize space--and make up for lost storage from removing uppers around sink--I'd probably make it a u-shaped kitchen with the fridge on the empty wall and center the range on the back wall; more counter space, more storage.

Since you are renting this place out, I wouldn't put too much money into it right now because renters generally are a lot harder on a house than owners. So if you spend big bucks your kitchen could still look like garbage in 5 years.

I would go to Ikea and put in whatever is the least expensive option they have in the same configuration you have now. That will probably cost you about 5K total for now. I wouldn't worry about fancy pull outs, etc.

Then when you're ready to retire to FL, I'd consider reconfiguring the whole kitchen and doing a gut remodel to make it what you love.

I also wouldn't worry about "what's in style" because in 2 years "what's in style" may be out of style. If you always choose what YOU love, it will be in style.

I prefer the look of white cabinets with white appliances and I think white is timeless, however, white might require extra upkeep or might not be as durable in s rental as a stained cabinet.

Here is example of a unit with the frig on the long wall (like benjesbride mentioned):

The thought of doing it now (or soon) rather than at retirement is that we would have more money now. How we manage the project from 1200 miles away is a mystery though.

This is a rental but has a one month minimum, so at most, we get maybe six-seven renters a year -- and almost always retirees. Knock on wood, nothing has ever been damaged.

Those changes look simply fabulous. If you were moving in I would say to make the changes, but I would not make those changes/put in new cabinets for tenants. Tenants can be rough on kitchens so they may thrash these and if that happens you can replace them with whatever seems appropriate at the time. (White cabinets will always be fashionable; however, people are realizing how hard it can be to maintain them (it really depends upon your personal style, child and pet situation). Similarly, unless you can cost-effectively do all of the work yourself I wouldn't remove the pass-through or add the coffered ceilings for tenants. I would not try to manage any changes from a remote location. I would make sure the place is well painted in neutral colors and very very clean and then check out your tenants' background and capacity to pay very very thoroughly.

You're looking for trouble trying to do it from 1200 miles away. Take the money you have now to redo it, invest it in something safe, and wait and do it later when you move down there permanently.

Your comment about having more money to do it now vs later makes no sense at all.

If you feel you need to renovate in order to keep your condo rented, or have some other reason for wanting this done sooner rather than later, here's what I can offer.

What do people think of pass-thrus? Pass-thrus are a bit passé.

And are white cabinets at the end of their popularity run? White cabinets will never go out of style. That said, you have many other options.

Are full-overlay cabinets pretty much standard now? Full overlay is pretty standard. What about inset doors? You will pay a premium for inset doors - beautiful but expensive, for the most part.

What would you value more -- more cabinets or a two person eat-in kitchen? If there is another eating space in the condo, I'd want cabinets in the kitchen. Besides, there's really no view in the kitchen as is.

What else are people putting in these days? The trash cabinet is a nice idea, but the biggest change for you would be drawers. In a newly renovated space almost all of your lowers would be drawers nowadays.

I get that you might want to use the same guy your neighbors have used, but the layouts and finishes are really not that nice. Tray ceiling is fine, layouts and cabinet choices are not that great.

Tray ceiling is fine, layouts and cabinet choices are not that great.

Totally agree on that.

Agree with eam

I've rented the same house for 4 wks now for 18 years. The kitchen and appliances are hideous. But the kitchen is clean when we arrive, and we are well supplied with pots/pans/utinsels. I wouldn't want to live with this kitchen at home (I'd at least paint it and replace the refrig if that's all I could afford), but I'm renting for the location, not the quality of the kitchen.

Salt away the money you gave now and update it when you retire and move there.