Updating your kitchen can be a massive undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be.  It is possible to make some easy and inexpensive changes to spruce up that outdated kitchen of yours without spending too much of your hard earned cash or locking yourself indoors of weeks on end.  By following these easy steps, you can have a new kitchen for less than $500 and still have half your weekend to enjoy your endeavors.

Paint: Choose a color that complements the adjoining rooms without overpowering the existing color palette of your home.  If you have neutral tones in your living or dining room, opt for a warm yellow, soft grey blue or mossy green color for your kitchen.  You can easily repaint your kitchen for about $50 – $80 depending on the size of your room.  Just make sure to get your color in an semi-gloss and do your prep work so you don’t have a ton of cleanup when it’s all said and done.

Accents: Make a stop at Target or Bed Bath and Beyond for some inexpensive accent pieces that can double as storage containers.  You can find many options for $20 – $150.

Plants:  Adding some plants to your kitchen is a great way to add color and warmth without going overboard on cost or color.  Some simple ferns on top of your fridge or cabinets can add dimension and herbs and living spices can soften areas around appliances.  You can expect to spend $20 – $100 on plants.

Hardware: You can easily swap out the hardware on your cabinets, giving them a new look for very little cost.  There are many nice options on eBay or Amazon for $2 – $5 a piece.