Update Your Kitchen with Big Ideas and Little Money

Is your kitchen starting to look a little more shabby than chic? Have words like rustic and antique taken on a new and unpleasant meaning when it comes to describing your kitchen? When it comes to home improvement, a kitchen remodel can require a huge chunk of money and leave you without a kitchen for weeks or even months. The average cost to remodel a kitchen can exceed $25,000. It's definitely no wonder the kitchen is considered one of most expensive home improvement projects that most home owners will ever undertake. But even on a minimal budget, all is not lost. Simple changes such as adding new cabinet hardware and light fixtures can have a big impact. With little money and lots of creativity you can put a new and sparkling face on your tired looking kitchen.

If you are one of the many people who want to remodel your kitchen, inspired by images of beautiful kitchens on those home improvement shows or in decorating magazines, you may feel that your budget is keeping you from having your ideal kitchen. However, even if you don't have a lot of money to work with, you still have a lot of options. There are a variety of ways that you can redecorate and update your kitchen without completely

One of the easiest things you can do to give your kitchen an instant face lift is to add a fresh coat of paint. Nothing looks cleaner and brighter than new paint. Stick with light and airy colors and if you have dark wood cabinets consider painting them white. Remove all doors and drawers, and clean with an orange oil based cleaner to remove all dirt and grease. Sand the surface and wipe down with a tack cloth and add a coat of primer. Apply satin or eggshell finish paint with a small roller. The low luster paints are better at hiding flaws than a high gloss. Add some new cabinet hardware and your kitchen will look like you had it completely remodeled.

Update your kitchen lighting to something a little more modern. There are a number of economic ways you can change the light fixtures to make your kitchen a great look. Add small, inexpensive task lights over the sink or other work areas. Replace that outdated ceiling light fixtures as well. Consider one of the many beautiful Hunter ceiling fans that will keep your kitchen cool and elegant looking at the same time.

Don't forget window treatments. Windows can add a lot of natural light to your kitchen. So depending on your location, you may only need a valance or light weight café tab curtains. Add adjustable blinds or shutters if you need more privacy or even a framed piece of stained glass to catch the sun and a unique sparkle.

Something as simple as adding new accessories can make a huge difference in the overall appearance of your kitchen. New trash cans, area rugs, towels and pot holders can all help add a fresh face to dated kitchens. Pot racks look especially nice hanging over a kitchen island, but if you don't have an island you can find pot racks that attach to the wall as well.

When it comes to ideas and remodel the kitchen, you don't have to spend a lot of money get a completely new look. Add a fresh coat of paint, change the cabinet hardware and install some new light fixtures and your kitchen can look like you spent thousands.