Dish up some spice for bland kitchen decor

You want to bring your kitchen back to life, but don 't want to remodel. Maybe all your kitchen needs is a minor face lift.

Here are a few ideas:

Paint: It's the least expensive design tool known. A fresh coat of paint on the walls will work wonders. If you've always lived with white, try putting color on one or two of the walls. Match color of floor, cabinets or curtains.

How about painting the cabinets themselves? If they're made of melamine, you can use melamine paint. It will bond to the surface without the use of a primer. However, it's only available in a small number of colors. For more of a color selection, prep your cabinets with a good primer that will bond to the melamine. Choose a gloss or semi-gloss acrylic paint for the top coat.

Take it further and create a statement by painting the cabinets one color and the doors and drawers another. Be bold, be subtle - anything goes!

Faux finishing your cabinets will add a unique, artistic touch to your kitchen. Experiment with sponging, ragging and stippling on sample boards until you're satisfied with the results, then apply your choice to the cabinets. To protect the surface, apply a coat of urethane.

Curtains on the cabinets: If you don't have cabinet doors, create your own. All you need are small brass curtain rods, some fabric and voila! The rods make it easy to push the curtains aside for easy access to your shelves. Co-ordinate the cabinet curtains with your table cloth, napkins, window coverings or -seat covers. The possibilities are endless!

New knobs: How about changing the handles or knobs on your cabinets? This is very inexpensive, yet it can make such a difference. Bring one of the handles with you to your local hardware store, choose a style you like and verify that the size is right.

New counters: Maybe your counters need updating. There is a style and type to meet everyone's budget. and taste. Laminates come in a wide array of colors and patterns and are the least expensive choice.

Granite, wood and solid surfacing (such as Corian) are popular, but more expensive

Kitchen sink: Replacing a tired sink and faucet is always a welcome addition to any kitchen. Sinks and faucets increase in price as they increase in durability. Highly stylized sinks and faucets are also expensive.

Updating colored appliances: If you're sick of your gold-colored fridge that sticks out like a sore thumb, but you can't afford to purchase a new one, there are solutions!

Trade it in at a used appliance store, or have it painted the color of your choice.

There are many ways to spruce up an existing kitchen inexpensively. All you need is a little elbow grease and an imagination. Any change will be a welcome sight. It won't go unnoticed!