4 Quick Kitchen Upgrades to Transform Your Home

There's no room in the house more subject to remodeling fantasies than the kitchen. It's natural to want a place where you spend so much time to function well and look great — especially since it's the room where people often gather.

Interestingly, data gathered about the return on investment for home improvement projects shows that a minor kitchen remodel will give you way more bang for the buck when it comes to adding value to your home than a full gut job will.

To get the most out of your home improvement money and try these quick and easy kitchen makeover projects.

Replace Cabinet Hardware

Purchasing new knobs and drawer pulls for your kitchen cabinets can get pricey, but it's much less expensive than replacing your cabinets outright.

It's the hardware that can make otherwise classic wood cabinets look dated — if you've still got shiny brass knobs, your kitchen may give a bit of an 80s vibe to everyone. Upgrade to something more modern for a subtle yet powerful update.

Replace Lighting Fixtures

Older kitchens usually only have an overhead light, and that fixture is likely very dated. Update existing lighting fixtures and consider adding task lighting under cabinets to brighten your workspace and add some modern ambience.

For more pizzazz, you may decide to install decorative pendants over your eat-in kitchen table, island or sink to add both interest and illumination.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

When it comes to inexpensive yet totally effective home makeovers, a good old bucket of paint is still king. Changing your wall color can make your whole kitchen appear cozier or bigger, depending on the shade you choose. You can also consider refinishing or painting over older wood cabinets for a totally new look, though this project does require steady hand and a good deal of patience.

Also, make sure to pick a type of paint that can handle the kitchen environment; many tend to use semi-gloss paint finishes to stand up to the occasional splash of water or soap.

Dress Your Windows

Kitchen window treatments are often forgotten, but if yours are dingy or outdated, you may want to replace them! Instead of cafe curtains, consider adding plantation shutters or Roman shades to streamline the look of your kitchen window. If you love the view, you might also eliminate curtains entirely and let the sun shine in to make your kitchen look bigger and brighter.

With a little creativity and research, you can transform your kitchen without picking up a single hammer.