1. By purchasing a cheap wooden blind and some bright coloured paint you will soon have a colourful window. Use a partially dry brush and then paint the blind randomly and this will soon give it that aged look.

2. The cheapest kitchen decorating idea of all is to use paint so why not paint your walls a bright sunny yellow colour and in a few random places paint over these with a much deeper yellow, peach or terra cotta colour. Or if you want purchase some glazing liquid and before the paint dries wipe each coat with a wet cloth leaving the colour below showing through.

3. Instead of replacing the cabinets why not decorate them with paing by using a few a layers of different paints by applying with a dry brush. For an added accent to the doors why not apply some pin strip tape (normally for cars) around the moldings of them.

4. To add a bit more of a country feel to your kitchen why not use a panel of fabric and with the use of hook and loop fastenings create a skirting around the cabinets under the counters. This is a grest decorating idea for covering up not just your aging appliances (dishwasher, washing machine) but is also a great way of hiding those aging cabinets.

5. Look at those mismatched dishes and cups that you have tucked away at the back of the cupboard and use them to make a stylish shelf display. Another kitchen decorating trick is to use old plates or china tureen covers and hang them on the wall.

6. Why not place some of your treasured family photos on a shelf or any little nooks in your kitchen.

7. The counter top is a huge part of the kitchen and can really make or break your decorating theme. Why not think about removing the old surface and replacing with colourful mismatched tiles these can often be brought for little or nothing at many of the discount DIY stores around and should the surface of the counter top be uneven, get a piece of plywood to level it out prior to placing the tiles on top.

8. As for your electrical appliances such as refrigerators which have seen better days, why not go and get some chalkboard cut to size and glue directly on to the front. Then you will have your own personal message centre close to hand, great place to write down what you need to get when you next go shopping and leaving messsages for yourloved ones like "Dinners in the oven".

As you can see decorating your kitchen need not break the bank and with just a little imagination and some hard work on your part you can turn the most boring kitchen into a warm and inviting place. Even just painting the walls and hanging colourful curtains will make all the difference to a kitchen.