To prepare for this article, Home Improvement Ideas Editor Anela Borrego and I embarked on a kitchen makeover for under $500. What we found was a lot more work than we expected, but resulted in a phenomenal finished product.

When you are getting ready to begin a small remodel project, make sure you are prepared both mentally and financially. Throughout the course of the planning stages, Anela and I compared prices on everything from paint to hardware to a backsplash and tools for all of these projects. Not only did we shop around to save some money, we solicited advice from a free source, my dad, Robert Frosch, of Robert’s Fine Woodworking in Deming, N.M. (For more free advice, try Home Depot or Lowe’s Home Improvement stores.) He gave us a few options to update the kitchen without breaking the bank:

Replace Cabinet Doors. Most cabinets, no matter how old, are pretty sturdy, if not outdated. The quickest and most inexpensive way to update old cabinets is to replace the doors or drawer fronts, leaving the cabinet framing in tact. In Anela’s kitchen, the doors were in pretty good shape, so we removed them, sanded them down and painted them to match the rest of the cabinets.

Paint Your Existing Cabinets. Another way to instantly update your kitchen without spending a lot of money is to paint your cabinets another color. Remove all of the cabinet doors and hardware, then use a sander to strip the paint off (and make sure the next coat of paint sticks). You can paint your cabinets a contemporary color, traditional, or you can use faux painting to create a unique look (antiquing is a popular method). And while it may be time-consuming and difficult, glazing also gives the cabinets an antique-look without being very expensive.

Create a Unique Backsplash. Using techniques covered in this magazine, (mosaics or custom backsplashes) you can create a new look for your outdated kitchen. Home Depot online offers tutorials on how to lay tile, hang cabinet doors, how to replace hardware and tons of other things, and could help in creating a unique backsplash for your kitchen. Stainless steel (which can be bought locally at PMS Pipe Metal Sales, 575.526.2141), is a great way to create an easy-to-clean and easy-to-install kitchen backsplash. Mosaics or traditional tiling can also create a different look for your kitchen.

Update Appliances. While this may run you a little more than $500, updating your appliances is a sure-fire way to update an older kitchen. Stainless steel is your best option if you are looking to improve the resale value, but any energy-saving appliances will work. Making sure your appliances match can have a big impact on the overall look of your kitchen as well.

Replace Countertops. Whether you install new Formica countertops, or spring for top-of-the-line granite tops, updating the top of your counters is easy. It may be a little difficult to do-it-yourself, so hire someone who can give you accurate measurements and help you install the tops when they are ready. Make sure you are choosing tops for their durability and stability, in addition to how they look. Tiling the tops of your counters is another popular option for homeowners because the tiling can be a continuation of the backsplash or wall.

With a limited budget (and limited skills), Anela and I began the task of updating her older galley kitchen by painting the cabinets, opening part of the cabinets up to create a display area for plates and décor, in addition to replacing the old hardware and drawer fronts. For less than $500 and with a little elbow grease, we stripped and sanded the existing cabinets and doors and applied several coats of white paint to brighten and clean up the space. In addition, we removed all of the hinges and spray painted them white to match, so we could save money by not buying new ones.

The stainless steel drawer pulls and knobs updated the old cabinets to reflect the Mexican-contemporary look Anela was hoping to achieve in the space. We replaced the drawer fronts (again, with a little help from Robert), which helped update the space and created a more uniform look for the cabinets and drawers alike.

Another way we improved the look of the cabinets was to take a pair of doors and cut them to resemble a glass door. We replaced the wood with pieces of glass and used silicone to secure them. The transformation added a much-needed design element by allowing for a more open look above the kitchen sink.

Here are a few things to remember (and a few things we learned):

• Prepare for the worst. Make sure you allow enough time to take care of any potential snags that may come your way.

• Wear a protective mask while sanding cabinets.

• If you are painting a light color over wood cabinets, use a primer to make sure you don’t have to use 14 coats of paint to make it look decent.

• Don’t be afraid to use your resources or ask questions throughout the process.

• Be careful not to get paint in your hair. It doesn’t come out. Trust me.