by Laura Montana

Created on: August 16, 2009   Last Updated: May 04, 2012

How to Remodel Your Kitchen (and Have Money Leftover)

Whether you are sprucing up your kitchen before putting your home on the market or just want a newer, up-dated room for your own enjoyment, remodeling can be quick, cheap, and easy. You can change the look and feel of your kitchen for under $500. You might consider this to be more of a 'face-lift' than an actual remodel, but the results can be amazing enough to make you forget all about going in debt to buy new cabinets.

Start by painting the walls a light, neutral tone. Soft green, light brown, or pale yellow will make the room look brighter. If you're planning to sell your home, a neutral color will be more appealing to prospective buyers.

Rather than replacing cabinets, paint them white to complement the walls. As a finishing touch, add new nickel hardware. Shop around at home building supply stores or big box stores for value packs. You will get six sets of quality drawer pulls or knobs for around $15 to $20.

Don't forget dated light fixtures. Replace the lights with nickel fixtures to match the hardware and give the kitchen a nice pulled-together look. If the light over the sink has a scalloped board as a shade, replace it with a straight edged board (scallops are O-U-T).

Light switches, plates, wall plugs and covers should be changed to white. You can change an entire room for a few dollars and an hour or two of time. Ecru-colored switches and plugs have gone the way of scalloped edged boards and can really date a room.

Counter tops take a lot of drying time and may be the place to start if you plan to finish in a weekend. Directions can be found online and are simple to follow. First, the counters need a good cleaning. Next, apply a primer, then two or three coats of paint; hammered metal tones look especially nice. Finally, apply a latex water-based polyurethane sealer to protect and shine.  For more detailed directions check out http://budgetdecorating.about.com/od/kitchendecor/ht /Laminate_Paint.htm  or http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Paint-Laminate-Coun tertops-4-Easy-Steps&id=107890.

Remember to include some bright spots of contrasting color. These can be added with new throw rugs, chair covers, tablecloth or runner, dishes, or a new set of canisters. Practically maintenance free curtains can be made from dish towels clipped to cafe rings. Remove the rings and toss them in the washer when they need it. At only a few dollars each, they can be replaced when the seasons change and the old 'curtains' can then be put to their original use.

'Remodeling' doesn't have to mean days of inconvenience and an empty bank account. By following these simple suggestions, you can have a 'new' kitchen and still afford to eat out!

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