If Shah Rukh Khan can do it, so can your kitchen. Shape up, that is. Go on, give it a toned-up new look.

Kitchen makeover is surely one of the most expensive home-improvement missions; yet, it is possible to breathe life into a worn-out kitchen on a limited budget, too. (Sometimes, just clearing out all the accumulated clutter — and organising the storage and supplies — makes the kitchen appear better and bigger).

Read through the following guides and identify the exact problem areas in your kitchen, and then apply the required changes as per your preferences and pocket.

Walls, ceiling, floors

Repainting is the cheapest and the most common sprucing-up idea. Kitchen walls have traditionally been painted in white or pastel colours, so surprise the eye with bold, unusual hues. A peacock blue or eggplant purple, when used in moderation, can really look inspired. A contrast colour ceiling is sometimes the complete solution for a low-budget makeover.

Stone flooring can usually be professionally polished to bring back its original lustre. But if the stone is badly stained or cracked, it is best to replace it entirely or cover it with the more sensible anti-skid vitrified porcelain tiles.

If your flooring shows the problems at its edges only, get a good mason to cut out a six to eight inch-wide strip from the entire edging. Fill this with a colourful stencilled tile or stone of a different colour.

Countertops

Nothing can be as effective and quicker than sprucing up the countertops.

If your stone countertop is showing its age, get some filling, resurfacing and repolishing done by an expert. You can cover up the old worktop with a new material — stone slab or Corian sheets — but this may raise the worktop height to an unacceptable level.

Dados, splashbacks

Changing the dado finish is expensive and time-consuming, but results in a near-new look. You can change the complete dado, or just selected parts of it, or simply the splashback (wall behind the countertops). Good choices are ceramic, porcelain or glass tiles.

If you want to be different, cut out some portions of the existing tiles/stones, and fill up the spaces with matt-finished metal sheets. Else, cover one decorative wall with pebbledash — white or coloured pebbles set in rough mortar, which blends well in both the traditional and contemporary kitchen.

Cabinets

Sturdy wooden cabinets are expensive, and hence worth saving. Put in some extra efforts on these:

Hardware, such as knobs, handles and hinges, can be replaced for an entire kitchen for Rs 5,000-10,000. Modern handles can bring in that cutting-edge look in an instant. However, make sure the new hardware matches the location of the existing fixing holes.

Sometimes, adding simple wooden mouldings and trims to the plain cabinet fronts can bring in loads of character. If your old cabinets don’t go to the ceiling, add a 2x2-inch crown moulding at their tops.

Dull polished or painted cabinets can get a fresh lease of life with a new coat of paint. Synthetic enamel paints come cheap but last little. Nitrocellulose-based paints are dear but can last 5-7 years.

If your cabinets are badly damaged, it makes sense to go for some refacing. However, replacing the shutters and drawer fronts of cabinets, while keeping the carcass intact and sturdy, requires a skilled carpenter.

If you have panelled doors on your cabinets, it’s possible to replace just the panels. Throw out the boring laminated plywood, and get in some smart decorative filler panels. Options include glass — clear, etched, tinted, patterned or stained. A more dramatic approach could be metal sheets — stainless steel or punched or patterned tin.

Appliances, fixtures

If you have a high-end appliance that has lost its lustre, get its metal surfaces repainted — preferably in a trendy colour — by an appliance refinisher or at an autobody shop.

Replacements for worn-out refrigerator handles, stove knobs, burner plates, and glass cooktops can be ordered from the equipment manufacturers.

If you have a deep pocket, invest in a pro-grade range, or a vintage appliance — this can have a huge impact.

Small yet big ideas

Create graphic and eye-catching displays, even with mundane items. A row of giant glass jars, containing cereals, pickles or pasta, lined up on a shelf, look more attractive than a stack of mismatched cardboard cartons.

A collection of antique clocks on an art wall is sheer style. Surprisingly, a row of old assorted baked bean tins on a narrow shelf can lend a massive sculptural resonance. Stick to odd numbers of objects where possible to give the display a distinctive focus.

Add colour and fluidity with an aquarium. The moving fish are also a perfect antidote to stressful cooking.

Simply, place a sleek transparent glass vase on the windowsill, and fill it with a colourful spray of fresh seasonal flowers.

(The author is an interior design consultant, specialising in the design of corporate and residential interiors. As a senior faculty member at a Calcutta institute, she has delivered lectures, guided research and conducted projects in the field of ‘Housing & Interior Design’ for over two decades. She can be contacted at kusumsmail@yahoo.com )