Remodeling your kitchen doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars. There are many crafty ways to give your kitchen a face-lift without breaking the bank. With as little as $50, you can begin to make improvements. You can also save by remodeling in stages and still find time to cook dinner.

• Painting. Painting is an easy, cost effective way to dramatically change the appearance of your kitchen. For around $50 or less, a little bit of paint can turn your kitchen from drab to fab. Select a semi-gloss latex paint, which allows for easy removal of food stains and splatters on your walls. Kitchen surfaces are notorious for housing grit and grime, so it’s essential to wash all walls and ceilings to ensure the paint properly adheres.

• Organization. Organization and storage can dramatically change the look and function of your kitchen. With pot racks, shelving, drawer organizers, etc. you can save money and space simultaneously. The beauty of organizers is that you can take a weekend and organize the kitchen yourself for under $100.­

• Lighting. Recessed ceiling lights are a primary source of room illumination in many kitchens. For around $200 or less, you can replace commonly-used CFL or halogen lights with LED lighting. By switching the type of lighting you use, you can save energy and change the mood of your kitchen. New remodeling kits let you replace those fixtures easily and more affordable with long-lasting, energy-saving LEDs. Another benefit – if your ceilings are high, you may not ever have to drag out the ladder again to change a bulb because LEDs can last up to 20 years.

• Refurbish Cabinets. Cabinets can be one of the most expensive items when it comes to remodeling your kitchen. If your cabinets have seen better days, don’t throw them away – consider hiring a company that offers cabinet refinishing in Fairfax for a fresh look. Popular furniture re-finishers such as Minwax or Formby’s strip off most clear finishes. Oftentimes, refinishers can remove some of the stain, so be sure to apply more than one coat to ensure even application. If painting is seems like a better option, prep the surface by thoroughly cleaning and sanding with a fine-grit sandpaper. Regardless of the surface, use a high quality primer and a durable topcoat. Refinishing or repainting saves a ton of money and usually doesn’t cost more than $350.