Research shows that the kitchen is the number one place where upgrades will be noticed and will reward you – either in the sale of your home or in the ease and efficiency of your everyday life. Unfortunately, renovating an entire kitchen can be extremely costly. The good news is, there are many ways that you can upgrade pieces of your kitchen yourself! Check out these 20 DIY ideas to get the ball rolling; who knows what you’ll come up with once you get started…

1. Paint the walls. Kitchens tend to have a relatively small area of visual wall space, so don’t be afraid to go bold!

2. Paint the cabinets. Although it requires a lot of time and effort, painting out your old and/or unsightly kitchen cabinets is a highly cost-effective way to make a huge impact.

3. Install a backsplash. No matter what it’s made of – tile, glass, stone, mirrors, wood – or how simple or complex, a backsplash is both integral to your kitchen’s style and highly useful in protecting your walls.

4. Install a corbel where backsplash ends and wall begins for a polished look.

5. Update the countertops – repaint, cover with tile, layer concrete. Instant facelift.

6. Replace your faucet. This doesn’t require a plumber and can change the entire dynamic of your kitchen.

7. Transform a regular cupboard into a pull-out drawer for hidden trash and recycle receptacles for responsible and efficient waste sorting.

8. Add trim/moulding onto…anything, really. Cupboards, door frames, walls, you name it. Always adds a high-end look.

9. Swap out your old hardware for new. An easy change that can be done in a an afternoon that will pay style (and function) dividends for years.

10. Bring in other furniture that can serve double-duty in the kitchen – a painted bookshelf, for example, adds color and storage for an unused kitchen wall.{found on site}.

11. Upgrade kitchen cabinet faces. Personalize bland, commercial builder grade cabinetry with reclaimed wood or other customizable materials.

12. Open up the entire look of your kitchen by replacing cabinet doors withglass fronts for added sparkle.

13. Maximize unused space with simple open shelving for a clean, contemporary feel and efficient access.

14. Install a rod or galvanized pipe for hanging pots, pans, and hard-to-store cooking utensils. Don’t forget plenty of S-hooks.

15. Install a pegboard wall organizer. You can hang pots and pans directly from this or install open shelves over top of it. Infinite storage and display options!

16. Lay down a crisp new area rug for color and warmth. Makes doing the dishes that much more pleasant, don’t you think?

17. Custom-create cabinet drawers for easy storage access. There are many options for doing this, including installing railings for sliding square plastic bins in and out or this simple slide-out tray made from plywood on full extension slides. Examine what you need to store to figure out the best fit for your kitchen.

18. Add in some fabric. Bold colors, a rejuvenating print will go far in adding energy and life to your cooking experience.

19. Build a kitchen island. Quite possibly the most effective addition to an efficient kitchen, provided you’ve got the space for it.

20. De-clutter your stuff. If you have gadgets or cookware that you haven’t used in years, donate them to a more useful cause (or kitchen). Actually, maybe this should be the first thing you do to upgrade your kitchen – it frees up and airs out so much space!