After watching a 5-hour TV marathon on budget makeovers last weekend, we decided to apply the same ideals they use on humans (fresh new haircut, a more flattering shade of lipstick) to our kitchen. So we started coming up with ways to give our kitchen a new look without paying for an entire facelift.

A kitchen makeover can take as little as 20 minutes, by updating your cupboard knobs. And although the hardware store offers more handle options than we know what to do with, why not try something unconventional like glass doorknobs? Can you handle it? (Sorry, we couldn’t resist).

Or, spend an afternoon restoring your cupboard surfaces. Pull out your color wheels kids, and choose two contrasting colors to paint the doors. We loved the bold look of a blue-green hue painted on the center panels surrounded by a reddish-orange border. If you’re looking for a more subtle look, choose two shades of the same color.

Not sure you even like cupboard doors? Just toss ‘em! Instead, paint the insides of your cupboards with a bright accent color, or line with funky patterned wallpaper. Can you think of a better vision then your glassware on display against a background of turquoise polka dots?

Oh, and 1985 called, it wants its China cabinet back. Create a modern take on that old tradition by placing tiny LED battery-powered lights in the back of your door-less cupboards.

Now that we’ve updated our kitchen, we have to get back to that marathon…with the money we saved by doing our own revamp, we need some ideas for a personal renovation too (makeup counter anyone?)