If you paint the present cabinets they may be looking less than perfect when it comes time to sell. They will obviously be older cabinets that have been painted. I would invest in new cabinets but probably not knock down walls unless you really want to, and really might be there longer than expected, or a contractor tells you the cost and it is doable. Removing a non-structural wall is much less than a structural one. You probably will not recoup the cost of your new kitchen, but you will enjoy it for 5 years (or longer) and your house may sell quicker.

Your present kitchen appears to have plenty of cabinets now, though I personally would not like your present layout with the range across from the sink. If you get new cabinets, consider working with a kitchen designer to improve the layout and considering the adjoining spaces.

Thank you so much for your insight!

Pic is dark. Are your parents dark wood finished or painted dark?

If your current cabinets are not to your liking for your own use ... and IF they are currently painted (as opposed to being a dark natural wood finish), then you might consider replacing only the doors of the cabinets, and (carefully) painting all the existing cabinets the same color as the new doors. If they're a wood finish and usable as is, would leave them as is.

If you currently have a dining room, then consider just rethinking the furnishings in the sun room so that room could be used as a play room with storage to hide children's toys.

Other than repair and upkeep, putting a lot of money in a property you likely will sell within five years for "looks" isn't a good idea. Save that money for your next home to make it what you want.

If you already have base cabinets against one side of the wall where you want to put a bar on the other side -- and if it is not a load bearing wall -- and if you can match the current countertop and get a wider length of countertop to create your peninsula/bar, then doing that might be worthwhile IF removing overhead cabinets and making changes in electrical outlets now on that wall above the countertop is all you need to change.

We are replacing flooring. The thing in the corner is a stool for my kids. Obviously when time to sell it will be staged differently, but I am wondering how far to go into the renovation we are discussing at this time.

What is your budget?

Kitchens are expensive to renovate. I am assuming you have a functional kitchen. If your kitchen is dysfunctional, then the need to renovate increases. When you sell you may get a decent return on your investment if you spend very little. The more you spend remodeling your kitchen, the less you will see in ROI. If you search new kitchens and ROI you will see various stats, the most common one is that the national average return is 54% (USA). Those figures shown on HGTV various remodeling shows say that the seller recoups 100% plus some. Not true.

So, if you are going to go through the time, trouble and expense of renovating a kitchen, then you would need to stay there to enjoy it IMO :)

However, if you can refresh your kitchen, rather than renovate entirely, you will be much better off financially when it comes time to sell in 5 years as you will be able to recoup your funds on a refresh (generally). A refresh is not a remodel. No new cabinets, no changing footprint.

Edit: Here is an interesting link (even from HGTV!) https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/clean-and-organize/which-home-improvements-pay-off

IMO the layout is not good and if replacing the flooring this is the time to redo the kitchen. Is that your only eating space ? I would need to see a floor plan of the whole main floor for sure . With all the windows and doorway marked make sure the drawing is to scale with all measurements clearly marked . All spaces around the kitchen named. It is usually easiest to use graph paper to make the drawing. Kitchen renovations have good pay back but need to be done right. An idea of your budget will help us here.

My husband would like to update to sell in the next 5 years- I would like to open up a bit, spend more money, live here a little longer, and get more return in the long run.

The two of you really need to commit to a long-term plan—the same long-term plan—before I can give you any meaningful advice. Until then, I gotta ask: What are all the bananas for? ;)

IMO a kitchen renovation has good pay back and in 5 yrs who knows what your life will be like I would do a proper renovation to enjoy as long as you are there and if done well it will help sell the house down the road. This is the time to do this while you are doing new flooring anyway.

I think you two can meet in the middle. He gets the update and you get to open it up. But I think you should visit some homes that are on the market now and see what is selling in your area. Talk to the realtor at the home showings about what kitchen updates were done in the house and what particular updates help the most when you put a home on the market where you live.

For every $100.00 you spend you will get $60.00 back. That is $40.00 that you will be gifting to the new owner and unable to spend on your next home.

Renovations are done for the owners enjoyment, not for resale.

That does not mean that you take a hiatus from normal maintenance for the next 5 years, Your home will sell for more if it appears to be well maintained.

HGTV does it all the time, but within the family's all-around resources.