The proverbial quote that we become what we eat has quite some scientific backing to it. Apart from the obvious physical impact that food has on the body, research has shown that it also subtly influences the mind and psyche of a person too. And it is here that remodeling a kitchen – the place where all cooking takes place – gains significance because a well-modeled kitchen keeps the cook and the diner remain in a happy, positive and good frame of mind and spirit. Contrary to belief, giving your kitchen a customized look need not be an expensive affair. Here are ways and ideas of remodeling your kitchen in a thrifty manner, say within $200.

High-impact areas
High-impact areas are those regions of the kitchen where a slight modification results in a grand overall change! Pick such areas for remodeling. For instance, just painting the trims and the front areas of the cabinets can transform the way the kitchen looks. Changing the colors of walls, curtains and accents by itself brings about an eye-catching transformation. So, spending some time to identify the high-impact areas in your kitchen will pay ‘rich’ dividends.

Photo Credit: SBD Kitchens

The importance of getting the sequence right
In order to ensure that there is no strain on the wallet, the various remodeling projects should be taken up in a logical order. For example, if the decision is to rearrange the various appliances and cabinets, then any kind of flooring work should not be taken up. Also, one work may hinder or undo the other. Similarly, if painting has been decided upon, then the base work of washing the areas with tri-sodium phosphata (TSP) and then applying a proper primer should be done first.

Once the areas to be worked upon have been selected and working order determined, you can begin remodeling the kitchen. Here are some thrifty ideas to proceed with your work.

Painting
This is the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to remodel the kitchen. A semi-gloss paint ensures that all the food splatters and splashes can be easily mopped and cleaned up. The colors chosen are important here. Remember that dark colors make the space appear smaller than it actually easy and so are recommended to cozy up a place. In case the kitchen is already small, consider using lighter colors.

Photo Credit: This Old House

Photo Credit: This Old House

Fabrics
Custom drapes for the kitchen can be made quite economical if done intelligently. For instance, one could choose the drapes that one wants and then sew up one’s own designs. This will definitely be half the price of a pre-packaged drapes set. In case you are not very sure of your sewing abilities, it would still be a cheaper option to select your drapes and either rent a sewing machine or get the drapes stitched.

Photo Credit: St. Louis Renewable Energy

Photo Credit: The Inspired Room

Lighting
Light has a magical effect in creating lines, contours and character for a kitchen. Replacing dim lamps with halogens will surely bring in a lot of positivity and energy into the kitchen. To go green and prevent power-wastage, install a dimmer switch so that the halogen can be dimmed as per need. Installing CFL lighting under the cabinetry gives the counter-tops a completely new look and feel. Similarly, you could stock up a few varieties of decorative lights over the kitchen tables.

Photo Credit: Mommy 2 Cents

Photo Credit: House AE

Steel plating
Stainless steel is durable and also has great looks. However, it is often pricey. You can have the cake and eat it too by choosing to plate the exteriors of the appliances with stainless steel. In this manner, one would also be able to match the different appliances which would otherwise have looked incoherent. Stainless steel could also be used as a substitute for other expensive accents like granite counter-tops and backsplash tiles.

Photo Credit: BS2H

Photo Credit: HGTV

Intelligent use of backsplash tiles and other accents
Backsplash tiles are expensive though they give a great facelift to the kitchen. Instead of covering an entire wall with such backsplash tiles, one could use them as accent pieces, filling the rest of the area with normal, inexpensive tiles. Adding other accents like a clock, a flower vase or a mantelpiece could go a long way in making the kitchen look refreshing. In fact, flowers are a simple yet elegant way of keeping the kitchen ever-new in its looks. A welcome mat at the entrance and a simple curtain adds to the cozy quotient of the place.

Photo Credit: Hooked on Houses

Photo Credit: Home Edit

Photo Credit: Kitchen Furniture Info

Variety definitely brings spice to the looks of the kitchen. It is a good idea to have a look at the photos of well-designed kitchens to get a feel of how remodeling is done. It is a science as much as it is an art.

{Brianne is a blogger by profession. She loves writing, reading, and traveling. She contributes for Bornrich.}