Easy Kitchen Makeover Ideas | eHow

Although replacing cabinets is an expensive and involved project, changing the way they look doesn't have to be. For an extremely easy kitchen makeover, give the cabinets a good cleaning and install new hinges and knobs on them to give them a different appearance. If you'd like to get a bit more involved, paint the doors in a new color or remove the doors and replace them with ones in a different style and color to give the cabinet a brand new look. You can also install decorative trim or moulding directly on the cabinet faces to update their look without replacing them.

Sometimes, you can dramatically alter the look of your kitchen by simply altering a single piece. Rather than redoing your counter, for example, install a wood chopping block in one section. Alternately redo the backsplash in ceramic tile, vinyl, glass tile or some other material. Strip vinyl laminate off of your kitchen island and install colorful ceramic tiles to provide a focus for the room. One bright, new section of countertop can make your old drab counters look like a dramatic backdrop for your new kitchen centerpiece.

If you want an easy alternative to your old cabinets but don't want the work of installing new ones, put in open shelving. Use shiny, metal shelves for a modern look or wooden board shelves to give your kitchen a more decorative look. Place your most attractive dishes on the shelves and leave a few cabinets and cupboards for battered but functional cookware and cheap, durable plates and bowls.

Sometimes, decorative objects can make a dramatic difference in the look of a kitchen without requiring you to renovate surfaces. Pick a decorative theme and put up posters, knickknacks and other objects in that style. For example, for a rustic kitchen, put in a cookie jar, hand knit dish towels, gourds and wreaths, family photos in simple wooden frames and other rustic-looking objects.