Sometimes, reconfiguring appliances and replacing cabinetry, hardware, lighting and finishes can dramatically improve a kitchen without having to move any walls.  Adding a window can help too.  This galley kitchen in a smaller Martha's Vineyard residence benefited from just such changes.

Originally, a stacked washer/dryer and a deep refrigerator nearly blocked entrance to the kitchen; a dark hallway didn’t make access any more tempting.  By moving the laundry machines to the larger, adjacent, full bath and relocating the refrigerator to the former location of the washer/dryer, access to the space became much easier and more attractive.  A new window at the end of the hall leading to the kitchen now brightens the approach and invites ventilation, as well.

Old particle-board cabinets were replaced with custom, clear-finished, full-overlay, fir cabinets in configurations slightly modified from the originals.  The dishwasher was moved out of the corner, so folks using the sink now have somewhere to stand while loading the machine.  A microwave was introduced over the relocated range in order to clear countertop space.  Drawers neatly accommodate trash and recycling, and overhead cabinets extend farther to maximize storage.

While we were at it, we removed a chase in the adjacent full bath to make room for a new vanity to match the material and style of the new kitchen cabinets.