Have you been noticing lately that your kitchen is either lacking something or is just totally out-of-date? If you’re on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that you can update the look of your kitchen and still be able to afford groceries for the month. Unless you have thousands of dollars set aside to completely redo the entire kitchen, you’re probably stuck with your floor plan. But sticking with the kitchen you have, there are many ways to accentuate the positive and spruce up entire room.

Add New Cabinet Hardware
Adding new hardware may sound like a really simple solution, but you’ll be surprised how much it can affect the scheme of your kitchen. By simply removing old hardware (if you even have any) and adding new handles and pulls, an ordinary cabinet is instantly turned into something much more stylish. If you’re looking for a more contemporary look, try handles that are either silver or brushed nickel. There is a broad price range for cabinet handles and pulls; they can run anywhere from $0.50 a pull to upward of $20. So be sure to account for whatever hardware pieces you’ll need, and set your budget ahead of time.

Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
Especially if you have a small kitchen or not that much exposed wall area, painting is an inexpensive project that can instantly change the look of the room. If your kitchen is wallpapered, a paint job can give it an instant facelift, but remember to factor in the time it’ll take to tear down the wallpaper. Select a color for your kitchen that’s updated and fresh yet still complements the look and color of your cabinets. Or perhaps this would be a good time to repaint or stain your cabinets as well. Don’t forget to repaint those ceilings, especially those with yellow grease marks.

Freshen Up Your Kitchen by Adding Some Green
It’s amazing how much of a difference a plant or flower arrangement can make in a kitchen. Rather than cluttering the plants or flowers, place them sparingly around the room. One on top of a cabinet or in the corner will be enough to change the look of your space. Do take care of any real plants or flowers on a daily basis, however, or it will be a waste of your money.

Add a New Light Fixture
A new light can provide an instant update for your kitchen. Light fixtures range from the inexpensive to very expensive, but you should be able to find a great kitchen light for under $100. If you currently have recessed fluorescent lighting, you should definitely look into updating it. A chandelier placed in the middle of the kitchen can bring a new look to the room. Another great option is track lighting, which will give you light in the area you need it most. You will not only add new light to your space with a new light fixture, but it can also add a new design element to the room.

Put Your China on Display
Is your beautiful china hidden away in your cabinets or hutch? Consider putting it to good use and displaying it. You can easily take off one of your cabinet doors and replace it with a glass door. The china can be arranged in the cabinet to show it off, and you will have an instant attention-getter. Another display option is a shelf on one of the walls. Just remember to fasten the china to the wall so it doesn’t fall.

Updating your kitchen doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. With only the resources you have and a little creativity, you can instantly add style to any kitchen. In a a future post we’ll be be talking about getting beautiful oak dining furniture and dining chairs to help enhance the look of your home and compliment your kitchen makeover.