Kitchen makeovers can have a stylish look without breaking the bank

Homeowners often find the price tag of a full-scale kitchen renovation reason enough not to do a makeover. But there are small changes that can be made that give a tired kitchen a facelift without the cost of a renovation.

"Love expensive materials but they don't fit your budget? Incorporate them on a smaller scale," advises DIYNetwork.com, pointing out that one viewer "wasn't able to do granite throughout her entire kitchen, so she just topped her island with the classic stone."

If the cabinets are in good condition, they can be painted for an entirely new look. A change in 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.

Some homeowners are lucky enough to find a hardwood floor when they pull up a worn linoleum surface. But if that isn't case, inexpensive flooring can be installed with ceramic floor tiles or snap-together laminate panels that resemble wood floors.

Pleated shades are a versatile choice for a kitchen window treatment because they come in many materials, colors and finishes. They stack tightly when raised to let in light, but can be adjusted to any length for less light.