One day your kitchen will more closely reflect your style and personality ... a functional island for chopping vegetables, a convection oven and plenty of stainless steel. For now, however, your budget points to a more modest plan.

Here are some options to consider for updating your kitchen.

·           Incorporating Furniture -- Tired of going to the basement or mud room each time you need a supply that won’t fit in the limited kitchen cabinet space? Try adding a piece of furniture that could double as a pantry or a place to store dishes and pots and pans. The extra space you pick up will allow you to establish a more convenient storage/stocking plan. In the long run, it also gives you the chance to evaluate this option as part of your kitchen renovation.

·           New cabinet hardware -- This is one of the simplest, and perhaps most creative ways, to spruce up your cabinets. The possibilities are endless, and so is the price range. Hardware is priced from $2 to $25, depending upon the design, finish and material.

·           New/refinished cabinet doors -- New cabinetry is one of the more expensive and labor intensive items in a renovation project. If the overall layout of the kitchen won't change, or if the cabinets are still in good condition, one way to achieve a new look is to install new cabinet doors. Or, perhaps a weekend stripping and staining project can provide a dramatic new look for the kitchen.

·           New lighting fixtures -- The options for new lighting fixtures -- from contemporary to classic designs -- are endless. An easy solution to changing that old and outdated lighting is simply to have new fixtures installed. Perhaps it’s a chandelier over the kitchen table or the addition of wall sconces on each side of the sink. Recessed lighting might be too complicated for a quick solution, but can be considered.

·           Incorporating Artwork -- As design continues to guide kitchen renovations, an added emphasis is being placed on artwork. Photographs, paintings, colored glass bottles, and decorative bowls all fit the bill. Another interesting consideration is a piece of furniture that also serves as cabinetry and a place to either display artwork or store spices.

·           Book Shelves -- When was the last time you really used a recipe from the Julia Child cookbook or the many others that you’ve received as gifts over the years? Consider adding bookshelves – either built-in or free-standing – for displaying all those cookbooks, decorative bowls, baking canisters, and figurines. This will help you create a new focal point for the kitchen and keep those recipes within easy reach.