Interesting kitchen design doesn't always require a big budget. There are many kitchen design options you can add for $1,000 or less.
First, look around your kitchen and pretend you are seeing it for the first time. What catches your eye? Are there any glaring problems with the kitchen design? Is your cabinet hardware falling apart? Is your wall tile cracked and out of style?

Create a Kitchen Design Plan

Before buying a few products around the kitchen, prepare a plan. Make a list of what you want to change and consider your timeline for changing them. Some home improvement projects can be completed in an hour or two, while others require scheduling professional help.

Spruce Up Kitchen Cabinets

Start by assessing your kitchen cabinets, as they are a major focal point of any kitchen design. One inexpensive cabinet project involves changing cabinet hardware. There are plenty of trendy cabinet knobs and pulls that can easily update your kitchen design. Among the options are:

• Colorful knives and forks
• Southwestern styles to blend with wall tile
• Aged bronze or copper hardware with rustic twists
• Bright white painted porcelain

Cabinet hardware is priced from $1 for a simple brass knob to $20 for a rich, antique bronze design. There are many hardware pieces priced from $5 to $12, making this an inexpensive home improvement project for a contractor or handyman.

Add Trendy Wall Tile

Kitchen wall tile is another area that can dramatically change the look and feel of your kitchen design. Among the popular styles are metal and glass wall tiles, as they add interesting texture. Tiles are priced from $2 to $20 per square foot, so the cost might be from $400 to $700 per kitchen for the tile. (Installation is extra). Also consider:

• Natural stones, such as limestone and granite
• Porcelain tiles with painted designs
• Bright red, green or yellow tiles

Among the patterns to consider are:

• A brick design with rectangular tiles going all the way across the wall.
• A patchwork design with varying sizes in rectangular and square shapes.

About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer. She has been a writer of home improvement columns for 15 years. Her articles have appeared in numerous national newspapers and magazines, and on home improvement web sites.