If you’re dreading preparing the Thanksgiving meal in your old kitchen, consider some quick fix kitchen remodeling projects to give the space new life. While a full kitchen remodeling could take three or four months, there are several ways to update a kitchen in a few weeks.

Cabinet refacing is one of the most dramatic changes you can make without spending $10,000 to $30,000 or more on a new kitchen. Cabinet refacing involves replacing the cabinet doors and drawers to essentially give the overall space new life. If you’re tired of your flat panel oak doors, for example, switch to a raised panel cherry door with an arch. The transformation will be bold!

Cabinet Refacing Guidelines 

Cabinet refacing works best if your existing cabinet boxes are solid and in good shape. If this is not the case, focus on other projects and change out the cabinets later.

Cabinet hardware is another quick project that can pay big dividends. By replacing those simple brass buttons with sleek brushed pewter handles, you can give the whole cabinetry layout a boost. Look through some online sites, as there are hundreds of styles – from traditional to whimsical. Many upscale cabinet hardware styles are priced from $3 to $12 per piece.

The finishing touch to this turkey day kitchen extravaganza should be paint! Nothing beats a new coat of paint to spell change in a kitchen. Many people are going bold with colors, from terra cotta to burnt orange to sky blue. Obviously you’ll need to coordinate it with your new cabinet fronts.

One general guideline about color in a kitchen is to make sure you have some variation between the cabinets, countertop and floor. One of the three should be lighter or darker than the rest. Otherwise, go for broke. Here’s to a new look just in time for the onslaught of relatives.