Update your faucet for a new look.

The faucet draws a lot of attention and is the most used fixture in the kitchen, so even this single change can make a big difference. Chrome gives a sleek look, or try something trendy like a matte black to add some edge.

Create your own gradient backsplash.

When designer Jennifer Reid and her family renovated their house, they chose high and low additions to make sure they stayed within budget. They wanted a gradient or shaded tile effect for the backsplash, but it was expensive, so they purchased tile and created the effect for themselves by exchanging the dominant grey tiles for white ones. Ready-made cabinets from The Home Depot and Ikea hardware also cut costs.

See more affordable home reno tips in our photo gallery.

Paint your bulletin board to add a dash of colour.

This compact kitchen used to be crowded and dysfunctional, with a jumble of cabinets, little storage and a bad layout. A fresh coat of white paint brightens up the space; the island is placed to allow for easy traffic flow and cleverly incorporates a built-in microwave and dishwasher.

Get more design ideas from our budget kitchens photo gallery.

Mix inexpensive butcherblock with bold black cabinets for a town-and-country feel.

The combination of brass pulls, soft wood and gentle blues create a friendly Euro-farmhouse flavour in H&H executive editor Beth Hitchcock’s renovated kitchen.

Watch Suzanne Dimma tour this kitchen in our Online TV segment.

Use salvaged beams for open shelving.

After structural and water issues demolished their home reno budget, Danielle Nicholas and husband Greg Bryk, from the W Network show Building Bryks, made cost-cutting decisions with their kitchen. Beams salvaged during the renovation became handsome but inexpensive shelves, and the poured concrete counters are virtually indestructible.

Use a restricted colour palette and collections of organic accessories for a chic look.

In his apartment’s original all-white kitchen, designer Brad Ford uses wood accessories to create a cohesive neutral and white colour scheme. A large movable cart with a butcherblock top provides ample storage in the pint-sized space.

Paint embossed wallpaper with a dark high-gloss paint for an eye-catching and inexpensive alternative to tile.

Susan and William Brinson’s kitchen features the same eclectic mix of styles as their bedroom. With a large, open design to accommodate William’s food photography shoots, this rustic-meets-industrial kitchen combines inexpensive countertops, cabinets and a sink from Ikea. Embossed wallpaper painted in a dark high-gloss paint is an eye-catching and unexpected element in this space.

See more interiors from Design*Sponge at Home in our photo gallery.

Customize cheap and chic baskets with numbers for much-needed storage.

Numbered baskets across the top of the upper cabinets provides much-needed storage, warmth and texture to the basic white kitchen, while a hanging pot rack acts as a functional ‘chandelier.’ A butcher-block topped island doubles counterspace, and when two stools are added, creates a casual breakfast spot. A vintage chest, acquired from a university science lab, holds linens, flatware and baking utensils, freeing kitchen cabinets for larger items.

See more of this space in our Online TV home tour.

Find more great ideas for small spaces in our Small Space Solutions gallery.

Refit a flea-market find with new pulls and an aluminum top.

Stylist Heidi Lewis fell in love with this chest, acquired through a friend who worked at a university science lab. “Usually I only buy vintage if all it needs is a good scrub,” she says. “But this piece was too good to pass up — I was determined to make it work.” Now it houses linens, flatware and baking utensils. Above, basic Ikea shelves are dressed up with decorative wood brackets.

See more of this space in our Online TV home tour.

Forego a full reno and refresh old cabinets with a coat of paint.

In this kitchen, oil-rubbed bronze hardware offers contrast against white cabinets. Floor-to-ceiling storage keeps clutter out of sight.

Define inexpensive, big-box store white subway tiles with dark grout for an on-trend look.

Fresh greenery and stainless-steel appliances offer a modern, airy feeling.

Incorporate painted flea-market furniture and budget-friendly country accents.

Pale blue tiles set in a diamond pattern add texture to this kitchen’s crisp white cabinetry. “I know the rug looks like something you’d find in your grandmother’s home,” says homeowner Richard Ouellette. “But I think it’s fun — it doesn’t take itself too seriously.”

Opt for rustic painted wood boards and vintage enamelware and ceramics.

A powder-blue range-style cooker provides a strong shot of colour, which is echoed in the vintage enamelware and ceramics. Glossy subway tiles help to reflect light back into the room, while oversized reproduction factory lights play with scale.

Browse more interiors from the Pale & Interesting book in this photo gallery.

Use paint for a dramatic feature wall and forego the expense of tile.

Toronto design consultant and stylist Alison Booth broke through walls to create her vision of the perfect home. In the kitchen, modern hits include a dramatic black feature wall, chunky Corian countertops and industrial wire pendant lights, while rattan bar stools, off-cut oak floors and a rough-hewn bowl keep the overall look soft.

See more beautiful interiors with gorgeous flooring in our photo gallery.

Build out cabinets around appliances to give them a more custom look without the expense of counter-depth units.

Cameron chose classic white cabinets to contrast with the dark Hanstone countertop and graphic rug. Handmade water-hued tiles add gorgeous texture and shine. Larger industrial-inspired stainless-steel appliances make cooking easier and elevate the look of the generously sized kitchen. The cabinets around the fridge were built out to give it a more custom look without the expense of a counter-depth unit. Deep drawers for pots on either side of the stove make reaching things much easier.

See the “Before” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

Embrace the kitschy features of your old kitchen.

H&H style editor Michael Penney and his wife Sara decided to embrace the kitschy features that made their old kitchen charming. They wanted a bistro/farmhouse feel, so they painted out the cabinetry in a soft blue with a touch of grey, and splurged on new stainless-steel appliances, an American Standard farmhouse faucet, and Carrara marble counters. Read more about their kitchen inspiration.

Read all about Michael’s new house — including before shots and DIY projects — in his blog, tour through each floor on Online TV, see the full story in our June 2011 issue, and browse all before and after photos in the online gallery.

Make a style statement with vintage green bottles or other collectibles.

Michael Penney and his wife Sara chose glossy white subway tiles in the kitchen to keep the attention on open shelving baskets and arrangements. Woven baskets overhead and underneath conceal clutter, and a rolling table is the perfect spot to create a vignette with carafes and plants. Read more about their kitchen inspiration.

Read all about Michael’s new house — including before shots and DIY projects — in his blog, tour through each floor on Online TV, see the full story in our June 2011 issue, and browse all before and after photos in the online gallery.

Swap boring lights with pretty pendants to layer character into a rental.

Apart from swapping the contemporary pendants for industrial-style ones, the only other changes applied to this condo kitchen are pure decorating. H&H style editor Michael Penney added vintage pottery, hits of copper and weathered herb pots to give the new space a well-used feel.

See the “Before” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery. Also, watch a video tour of Beth Hitchcock’s former condo hosted by Michael.

Use affordable Ikea cabinets for a stylish and sleek look.

The edgy Marcel Wanders damask wallpaper was a find from a trip to Glasgow. On the adjacent wall, floor-to-ceiling charcoal mosaic tile creates a striking contrast. Affordable Ikea cabinets look stylish and sleek.

See a video tour of Cameron’s kitchen!

Use a vintage table in lieu of an expensive, blocky island.

Using store-bought cabinets, an apron-front sink and classic finishes, design editor Cameron MacNeil created a relaxed space. The glass-fronted cabinets, open shelves and butcher-block counters are key to the room’s casual feel.

Watch a tour of Karen Kain’s cottage on Online TV.

See more beautiful cottage kitchens in our photo gallery.

Visually expand a space with white.

The narrow kitchen of this Laurentians, Que. cottage seems wider because of the white cupboards, simple backsplash and uncluttered storage. Views to the lush surroundings can be enjoyed while washing dishes.

See more white cottage photos in our gallery.

Hide a dishwasher and lower shelves with a curtain.

Sticking to as few types of glassware as possible will keep costs down, and create a neat look when lined up. Inexpensive open shelves, old wine casks and a wicker basket holding condiments create an unfitted and European look.

For more cheap and chic cottage decorating ideas, visit our photo gallery.

For more beautiful French country interiors, see our photo gallery.

See more great cottage and country rooms in our Cottages & Country Houses gallery, Traditional Cottages gallery, plus see more cottage photos.

Get a high-end aesthetic at a low price from a big box store.

Martha’s new line of kitchens for The Home Depot brings a high-end aesthetic to the big-box store. Architectural corbels, synthetic marble counters and detailed cabinetry are what make this kitchen. Frosted glass on upper cabinets conceal contents and shelves keep cookbooks within easy reach. Cups and glasses line up on shelves in the same colour as the cabinets.

To see a full list of our reno trend predictions, view our 2011 Reno Trends photo gallery plus, find out which trend looks Lynda Reeves and Suzanne Dimma like most, as well as what our design editors want this year for their own homes.

Opt for an intentionally unfinished look.

Exposed rustic planks and beams give this cottage kitchen a dramatic sense of height. The darker wood farm table and Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs break up the monochromatic palette. The overall ‘unfinished’ vibe of the kitchen, complete with linen curtains covering lower shelves instead of closed cabinets, offers even more character.

See more photos in our White Cottages gallery.

Install stainless-steel counters instead of marble or granite.

Vintage wood signs, exposed black iron hinges, old metal buckets as vases and a ticking-striped fabric Roman shade all read as country. Paired with white walls, a sleek countertop and drop sink with on-trend painted grey cabinets, however, the look is clean and fresh.

See more modern country interiors in our photo gallery.

Go right to the ceiling to take advantage of all available wall space.

Keeping less-frequently used items, such as appliances or serving bowls, on the top shelves means more storage space below for everyday items. The extensive use of canisters and baskets keeps this open shelving area from looking messy or cluttered.

Get more great storage ideas in our Organization Tricks photo gallery.

Embrace a small window to avoid the big expense of enlarging it.

Homeowners Jane and Jeff Wood were able to splurge on high-end appliances by using Ikea’s Abstrakt and Rubrik systems in lieu of custom cabinetry. Affordable white subway tile and open shelving made the small window blend into the space, eliminating the big expense of enlarging it. A white and steel palette keeps the room bright and fresh, and accessories like a tea towel and stand mixer inject colour and personality.

Get more budget-decorating ideas in our gallery.

Remove upper kitchen cabinet doors and staple grasscloth wallpaper to the back for expansive-looking open shelves.

Rustic baskets above the shelves and a mod ’60s light fixture emphasize the height of style expert Michael Penney’s former kitchen. A wallpaper feature wall also draws the eye up and out to the window view.

Use a secondhand cabinet from Craigslist as a stylish and budget-savvy island.

The wood in this buffet was in good condition, so Michael made the uncharacteristic decision not to gunk it up with paint. The pegboard — an homage to Julia Child’s kitchen — offers valuable storage space.

Use chalkboard-paint, pendant lights and open shelves to add historic schoolhouse charm.

“The utilitarian loveliness of this battered old wooden table works magic in this casual kitchen setting — so many textures and surfaces,” says Fiona Richards, the Nelson, B.C. artist behind the inspiring Cafe Cartolina blog and owner of Cartolina Cards. “I would drag this rustic piece home any day and park it in my kitchen!”

Get more tips on decorating with vintage, found and industrial objects in the Cafe Cartolina Favourites photo gallery.

Use unfinished wood for a contemporary rustic look.

Cottage owners Juli Daoust and John Baker installed the kitchen cabinets themselves and kept the original stove, knowing they would be mostly barbecuing. An under-counter fridge with pullout drawers saves space. “It was a $600 floor model,” says John. “We added our own plywood panelling and wood handles.”

See more modern cottages in our photo gallery.