Glance around any kitchen, and you’ll notice the kitchen cabinets right away. If your cabinets lack the indoor “curb appeal” found in a shiny, new kitchen, consider sprucing them up. Painting kitchen cabinets is popular because, rather than replacing your cabinets, you can use the ones you have.

Here’s how this kitchen design booster works:

• Decide: Are you up to painting kitchen cabinets yourself? Doing so will save money, but expect to invest a lot of elbow grease. If you choose to outsource, hire a contractor.
• Select a painting them:. Many people like the crisp look of white, but you have lots of options. Just make sure the color blends with your kitchen design–coordinate the tones and colors. For an added boost, try a glaze or crackled look on top.
• Clean, clean, clean, says HGTV: Kitchen cabinets are exposed to lots of cooking grease, so use lots of soapy water or a specialized detergent for grime.
• Remove your old cabinets: Make sure you or your contractor take the kitchen cabinets off the wall and remove the doors. This will help paint all the little nooks and crannies.
• Use good quality paint brushes, says Askthebuilder.com: Otherwise, you’ll get a substandard return on investment.

Quick Kitchen Remodeling Tips

Update the look of your kitchen cabinets with a fresh stain (if they’re wood) and some cabinet hardware. Lightly sand the cabinets before applying the stain. Try a dark walnut or mahogany if you want a deep, rich look. Then, top it off with weathered brass knobs or crisp white ceramic pulls.

Many small kitchen remodeling projects like these can dramatically change your kitchen design. You’ll be amazed how much you can do in a few weekends–without spending a lot of money.