A kitchen makeover has the greatest potential for increasing the value of your home, but it can also come with the biggest price tag.  If you’re on a budget (and who isn’t, these days?) there are still simple things you can do that will improve your kitchen.

These are some simple ways to improve your kitchen.  Each of these ideas can be complete for less than $1000.

For more ideas information, visit the website for This Old House Magazine.

The New Year is a great time to get organized. Chances are that your kitchen cabinets are cluttered and there may even be some outdated foods. The best way to start with kitchen cabinet reorganization is to empty everything out and give the shelves a good cleaning. When replacing the dishes, think about how they’re organization. When plates and bowls are stacked, it can be hard to get the dish you need. Think about using portable shelf organizers to create different levels for storage. Move the items that you don’t use on a daily basis to higher shelves.

Before replacing food items in your cabinets or pantry, check for expiration dates and discard expired items. If you can’t remember how long you’ve had an open package, it’s a good idea to toss it. Next, go through and group similar food items together. If you have lots of cans and small bottles, use organizers to store more in less space. Group like items together in the cabinets. For example, put coffee, tea and cocoa together. You’ll save time and money with well organized cabinets that put the food item you need at your fingertips.

For more tips, see this article on the HGTV website.

When a kitchen remodel is considered, the kitchen cabinets are usually at the top of the list of things to change. Installing new cabinets can really drive up the price of a kitchen remodel, especially when custom cabinets are required. One alternative to new cabinets is refacing. The refacing process can be completed in a day or two. It involves removing the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, painting them or adding new veneers, and then replacing them. The doors and drawer fronts can also be replaced completely at a much lower cost than installing new cabinets. Once the cabinets have been refaced, they can be further modernized by replacing the hardware.

For more remodeling ideas, see this earlier post for ideas for dining room remodeling.

If your kitchen is looking tired and dated, you may be wishing for a makeover but are worried about the high price tag. Many home improvement shows and magazine articles feature high end kitchen makeovers that cost a small fortune. This type of makeover may not be within your budget, but you can still make some improvements that will bring your kitchen up to date and give it a fresh style.

Focus on cosmetic details. Paint is one of the least expensive ways to really change the look of a room. If your kitchen has wallpaper which dates it, consider replacing it with a fresh coat of paint.

Replace the faucet and sink. Fixtures like faucets are not expensive and will go a long way towards updating the look of a kitchen. Sinks are a little more expensive. Before deciding to replace your sink, see if a really good cleaning will improve its look.

Update cabinets. Kitchen cabinets can be updated with paint or refinishing and new hardware. There’s no need to consider an expensive replacement if your cabinets are still serviceable.

Replace old-fashioned light fixtures. Canned lighting or a small chandelier will give your kitchen a more modern look. Hint: unless you’re an expert on electricity, it’s worth paying a professional electrician to install new fixtures.