But if the changes only involve some new wallpaper and paint, and perhaps new floor tiles, the cost can be reasonable. Even these small changes can make the room more comfortable, giving it a great atmosphere for food preparation and family gatherings.

However, before deciding to remodel a kitchen (or any room, for that matter) it is important to sit down and talk with family members and friends about what a kitchen should look like, what a kitchen should feel like, and perhaps most important, how a kitchen should work. Only then should you begin to plan, in detail, the changes that will be made.

For example, replacing kitchen cabinets can be a major project, but with the right information at the start, this renovation can go quite smoothly. The most elaborate, hand-made cabinets can cost thousands of dollars, so to keep the cost within the budget a homeowner should shop carefully, measure carefully and take any professional advice he or she can get when considering new kitchen designs.

Sometimes it may be enough to thoroughly clean the cabinets, inside and out. Refinishing the wood surfaces can be a great way to upgrade without great expense. Several good products exist that can restore some of the original beauty of natural wood. This task, along with some new paint or wallpaper may be enough to make the kitchen designs come alive again.

Some homeowners who are considering a kitchen remodeling project believe there is little that can be done in this room without great expense. Most professionals and experienced homeowners will tell you this is simply not true. Of course, one of the great expenses is labor. If you decide to have a professional remodeling contractor do the work, the cost can increase dramatically. But there are a number of ways to improve or change the appearance and efficiency of the kitchen without hiring a professional. Other changes may require some expert help, but even this can be limited through good planning. For example, installing a new floor in the kitchen, while not easy, can be made easier and less expensive with some of the new materials available. For example, homeowners have put hardwood floors in their kitchens in increasing numbers recently because companies now manufacture real wood tile squares that can be placed directly over the existing floor in many cases. A homeowner with a bit of patience and maybe one assistant can complete this change in a few days at a cost of less than $1 per tile in many cases.

Changing the look of kitchen walls is another way to remodel the room without great expense. Only in extreme cases (older homes, poorly maintained homes) will it be necessary to remove all the old wall material and replace it with something new. In most cases paneling, new wallpaper or a fresh coat of paint can make the room look and feel very different.