Perhaps the kitchen in your home is less than ideal, but you are not ready or able to undertake a full-blown renovation. There are many ways you can improve your existing kitchen without spending a fortune. Here are just a few expert ideas to help you.

• PAINT: If the cabinets are in decent condition but just tired, give them a new high-gloss color. Don’t skimp on surface preparation, including removing all traces of grease and grime, or the results will disappoint.

• CHROME: Replace the hardware, faucet, or sink all are relatively easy do-it-yourself jobs.

• CABINETS: For a little more investment, you can have the cabinet door fronts replaced or refaced and then remounted on the same boxes.

• BACKSPLASH: Many high-end tile stores have outlet centers or bargain sections where you can score tile remnants at a fraction of the original cost. Or cover an old, ugly backsplash with self-stick mirror tile or a ready-to-install backsplash.

• COUNTERTOP: If you’re working with a small budget, consider laminate, which offers true-to-life reproductions of more expensive wood and stone. A new laminate counter costs a few hundred dollars, including installation and can last for years.

*Source: Pillar to Post http://www.pillartopost.com/janpostnotes2013#upgrades (retrieved March 2014)