Painting is of course a big one when it comes to best bang for your buck. Painting any room can change its look and feel dramatically. If you have never painted yourself I suggest you give it a try. It is easy to learn and best of all it is easy to fix if you don't happen to get it right the first time. The biggest thing with painting is preparation. Mask off and cover everything ahead of time. Spend a good amount of time doing this and the actual painting will be a breeze and quite satisfying.

Window covers are the next best option on the list of easy yet inexpensive things to improve the look of your kitchen. They are not always cheap but if you do some digging you can find some nice blinds for a very reasonable price. Consider shopping for blinds online as the selection is excellent. Shipping is often included and very timely.

Lighting is next. Creative concepts in lighting have come down in price considerably in the past few years. Home renovation centers carry some very attractive lighting options at very reasonable prices. Anyone with a little DIY experience can swap out a ceiling light fixture. If you don't feel comfortable do this type of work an electrician won't cost much either.

There you have it. New paint, window covers and lights and your kitchen is looking great and up to speed again.