you are keeping the appliance and gutting the whole kitchen???

painting the cabinets? removing the cabinets? re arranging the layout?

Using existing footprint, opening any walls?

Please clarify. what is the budget, and what besides storage do you want.

You have plenty of light, choose something other than plain white.

At minimum, remove all items from your kitchen and store seldom used, seasonal items in a clear bin with a lid in the basement or other out of the way space. Includes all countertop and top of refrigerator, refrigerator door items. Purge all the stuff you don’t use. Afterward, put as many of frequently used items in cupboards, and drawers, leaving coffee maker, etc on counter if no other place for them. A warmer off white paint on the walls will work better with your backsplash, counters and floors. Price new countertops and backsplash that will work with existing cabinets and floor. Touch up nicks and scratches on your cabinets. Start saving money and photos for the ultimate kitchen re-do you would like.

Thanks for your questions Lyn,

I am thinking of keeping all appliances and gutting, yes.

I'd like to change the doors of all cabinets and probably just paint the inside.

I am open to rearrange the existing layout if the space allows it.

I wasn't considering opening any walls but something I do want is to hide that pipe that shows on that island that's merged with the wall.

Budget would be 4k or less

I would change your kitchen cabinets to a dark charcoal finish.

“I am looking for ideas to remodel this kitchen.” “Budget would be 4k or less”

Even keeping your appliances, as you stated you intend to do, 4k isn’t going to get you much of a remodel. This is 2025…not 1995.

On a 4K budget you won't be able to gut your kitchen nor replace the doors but maybe paint them. I suggest charcoal with brass hardware. I'm unable to determine what your backsplash looks like from your pictures so perhaps replace it. For the pipe, simply cover it to look like a column and paint. Butcher block countertops can be a good budget friendly choice offering a warm, natural aesthetic and durability with proper care.

For $4k paint the cabinets, get new inexpensive countertops (corian or butcher block), and new backsplash. That will eat up your entire budget.

Paint the pipe.

Get a large fruit bowl for the peninsula countertop and clear the produce off of your workspace counters. Store your spices inside a drawer. Purge, purge, purge, and reorganize your cabinets.

For the pipe I would use pole wrap either painted to match the counters or stained to match your cabinets.

Do you have DIY skills and tools? Or willing to learn? I realize you posted to “DIY” but just asking.

$4K can accomplish a fair bit if yes.

If no, can’t do much - some tweaks - maybe could replace counters.

paint the black wall something else.....how about a punchy light green..use satin and let light bounce around. the kitchen is set back in an alcove which I think is good....just keep it clean and free of so much stuff sitting there. ....fix the pole resting on the counter...smaller things like a good LED trac light....an investment in some sort of storage where you have the wine cart ..a shallow floating shelf above the sink instead of the empty space. The cabinets are okay..they have a lustre or sheen and with directional light they'll bounce rays around...more money ??? get a higher glazed white backsplash or maybe glass tiled backsplash. I'd keep the cabinets that shade..it is handsome in a way..why would you want white..no definition and characterless w everything else pretty light. looks like a nice condo but I dont see much ceiling lighting at all.....does the place need an updated lighting plan overall ? ? ..that would be money well spent

where the wine cart is sitting..install something like this and take the load off the kitchen counters....cant tell how wide you can go from the pics.

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do you have a color that you like instead of a blackish wall ?

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obviously one day if you want a big reno with your window wall , maybe a different kitchen configuration can be the order....but for now I think leaving w the few tweaks makes sense.

heres a much more open kitchen to work w windows and give open feel. i dont mind the more alcove kitchen that you have now.

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" I am thinking of keeping all appliances and gutting, yes.

I'd like to change the doors of all cabinets and probably just paint the inside."

That is not gutting and for 4K you will not really cover any of that unless doing DIY and even then.

First address the storage issue for sure Where that little table is with the stuff on it on the balck wall is a perfect spot for a pantry type cabinet so start there . Refacing will cost close to new and not improve the function of thta space one bit. Please unwrp the pole and remmove that totallt useless island cabinet and replace with more storage . Good LED lighting cann do wonders for a space I like all LED 4000K bulbs . A counter depth fridge would be good too. If you do not use something every day get it off the counter , no stuff on the fridge door either .

First off - what a wonderful space! Second - some advised you to declutter. Very much in agreement with that. Third - the dark red cherry cabinets are just at odd with the lightness and transparency of the space. So, would advise you to change the color of them since you say your budget is tight.

Sorry, but 4K won't even cover the DIY materials needed to professionally paint the cabinets and do a new backsplash. Spend that 4K on electrical to fix the lighting. Even that budget may not be enough if your panel is full and you need a panel upgrade.

$4000? You do not have the $$$ to do very much.

-Hire an organizer to come and show you how to completely reorganize the existing cabinets by totally downsizing your "stuff." The organizer will know how to reconfigure the inside of the cabinets with pullouts you can get at big box stores, one of them for a garbage can, which shouldn't be sitting in the open.

--Replace countertops and backsplash with basic white ones. Add undercabinet lighting.

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--Replace your bar cart with an attractive console/buffet/sideboard to store small appliances you don't use every day, serving pieces/trays. This will free space in the kitchen. Check out Facebook Marketplace and pay someone to paint it for you.

--Or find a tall armoire on FB Marketplace and have it painted white to use as storage.

--Replace your counter stools white white ones.

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But before any of this, geez, pleeeze, remove all the "stuff" on fridge, above it, on countertops. That's what everyone is telling you.

The cabinets look like they are in good shape and go well with your black and white theme. The tan backsplash, floor and counters don't go with your paint or the rest of your house.

If you need more storage, get something bigger for your bar cart and some rolling storage for under the island.

I'd remove the fake grass on the pole.

Please provide photos of the adjoining space. In small condos, some owners have wide sideboards they use as a buffet/bar but additionally to store small kitchen appliances, serving pieces, etc. things that aren't used every day. Since your kitchen is somewhat open to the dining area and probably the dining area to the living room, then it may be advisable to repaint the entire space in a white, warm color that goes with your existing cabinets. Honestly, $4000 won't go far. Decluttering with an organizer, plus basic white countertops and backsplash would do wonders as would painting everything a white that harmonizes with your furnishings and the cabinets. Hopefully, you can DIY the painting.

Another version is a greige/taupe colour.

Since storage is your number one priority, this is where you should spend the most. Is there room on that dark wall to the right of your kitchen for a storage cabinet? If so, put one there. Check out IKEA storage solutions -- here is one example: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ikea-pax-hack-pantry-storage-small-kitchen-37238100

Move the stuff currently on your counter into that storage unit -- that should make your kitchen look much "lighter". Then do something to visually minimize the post. All these should be less than $4K - save the rest for a much bigger renovation later on.