Kitchen remodels can be pretty pricey – new cabinets, hardwood flooring sinks, counter tops. Projects can go up to $20-$25 thousand dollars, in very moderately priced homes. Too much remodeling in a moderate neighborhood may not be smart, for you may not get your money back in the sale of the home.

Here are a few things you can do yourself to give your kitchen a new look, without spending a large amount of money.

1. If your cabinets are old and dreary, don’t replace them. Paint them. There are great paints now just for kitchen cabinets – durable and easy to clean. To get proper adhesion, you will need to use a degreaser first and perhaps a little sandpaper to make them paint receptive. Paint them a solid color and then add a contrasting border on the doors – one that brightens up the place! Inexpensive wooden knobs, painted the same contrasting color will complete the look, and the change is amazing.

2. If you have old laminate countertops, replace them with new laminate countertops. These are far more reasonable than the new materials, and I can guarantee they come in much more attractive colors and patterns than your old one. You can easily do this yourself, by using your old pieces as patterns, as you cut your new ones.

3. One replacement you should consider is your kitchen sink. Replacing it and adding a more contemporary faucet unit will make your kitchen look new.

4. Consider a tile black splash – these are available in such a variety of colors and patterns, you’ll easily find one to fit your tastes. You could put one behind the sink and range – they look great and clean easily.

5. Change the paint and wallpaper in your kitchen. Painted walls with a new wallpaper border are amazing changes and so inexpensive!

6. If the colors of your appliances say 80’s, give them a facelift too. There are paints available for both refrigerators and ovens in a host of colors. You don’t want to get rid of two expensive appliances that still work well, but they may look dull and ugly after you finish the painting and countertops, so paint them as well. The paints come in sprays, so you have to cover all surrounding areas well, but what a difference!

7. Flooring is a must for a new kitchen look. Do not go to a flooring retail center until you have checked out the discount places that handle closeouts. You may find just the right item there, sometimes at less than half the cost. For example, you may find great ceramic floor tile for 50 cents a piece, and you will be able to do a large kitchen for a fraction of the cost of having it done by someone else. Grouts are great now too – they come in lot of colors with sealants to put on top. Tile cutters can be rented or, for a small price per cut, the large home improvement centers will do it for you.

8. The last item you might want to consider is a splashy new lighting fixture. Old lighting “dates” a kitchen. Again, check out the discount places first. Find one that fits your kitchen style and install it yourself. The directions are east to understand.

Voila! You have a “new” kitchen for very little cost. Guests will be impressed, and the resale value of your home has just gone up a lot. Your kitchen looks clean, updated, and is a cheerful place to be!