Shutters help bring a new look to an outdated kitchen

Instead of a full-scale renovation, some kitchens can get a new lease on life with small-scale changes such as lighting, refinished flooring and painted cabinets.

According to Better Homes and Gardens magazine, ripping out a worn linoleum surface may reveal a hardwood floor beneath that can be refinished to its former glory. If all that's revealed is a base floor, there are easy-to-install floor tiles available in a range of styles and prices.

Adding shutters to kitchen windows brings in a lot of light, but can be adjusted for different light levels by adjusting the slats. For complete privacy at night, a curtain can be added to the top of the window. The composite shutters from Blinds Chalet are made from a blend of wood and synthetic materials, but have the rich look of wood in both white and wood stains at affordable prices.

If a kitchen's cabinets are in good condition, they can be painted for an entirely new look. Choosing different hardware is also an inexpensive way to change the style of the doors and drawers. For a customized cabinet look, different colors can be used for the upper and lower cabinets.