• Cleaning and painting cabinets makes a big difference,Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Old, dingy kitchen cabinets can make a kitchen look dark and dated, but replacing them can cost thousands of dollars. Restoring them yourself can cost as little as a few hundred dollars and a couple weekends worth of time. When considering whether to replace, reface or refinish cabinets, examine their condition. Well-made, sturdy cabinets that are outdated or worn are worth refinishing; replace cheap, poorly constructed cabinets, recommends This Old House magazine.
  
  

Refacing Cabinets

• Professional cabinet refacers remove and replace the doors and outside faces of the cabinets. Refacing is a good option for homeowners who want a less expensive option than replacing the cabinets but have cabinets with heavily damaged doors.
  
  

Painting Cabinets

• Painting cabinets is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to restore them. Choose a neutral color, such as black or cream, or turn up the volume with blue or red. Clean cabinets well with a household cleaner or trisodium phosphate. Fill any nicks or dents with wood putty and sand them. Apply a coat of primer and allow it to dry thoroughly. Paint the cabinets with oil or latex paint, using a paint sprayer or high quality brush. Apply several coats of paint if necessary, allowing each coat to dry completely.
  
  

Antiquing

• Many homeowners opt for an antiqued or distressed look on kitchen cabinets. To antique kitchen cabinets, rub a wood stain on cabinets painted a light color, such as cream or white. Wipe the stain off with a dry cloth. Some of the stain will remain in the crevices of the wood, creating a warm, rustic appearance. Other options include crackling or pickling glazes. Distress the cabinets by rubbing them with coarse sandpaper to remove some of the finish, taking care not to damage the cabinets.
  
  

Stain Finishes

• For a stain finish, strip the original finish and bleach the wood if necessary if you want a lighter wood. Oxalic acid or professional wood bleaches work well. Sand the cabinets and allow to dry before applying a new stain with a sprayer or paint brush. Finish with polyurethane for durability. Some finishes may take several days or even weeks to cure completely. Handle the cabinets carefully until the surfaces are hard.
  
  

Hardware

• Updating the hardware can completely change the appearance of cabinets. Don't skimp on cheap hardware, advises the This Old House website, but choose high-quality, heavy hardware to last. Use novelty pieces, such as a chili pepper knob, sparingly to add colorful accents to your kitchen.
  
  

Decorative Elements

• Create the illusion of more expensive cabinets by adding decorative touches such as beadboard inserts or crown molding around the tops of cabinets. Install these touches before painting or staining the cabinets. Glue or nail them into place.