30-Minute Mini Makeovers

Reupholster chair cushions with bright fabric to add a pop of color to your kitchen or breakfast nook. With only a staple gun and a little fabric, you can quickly update your seating.

Make over drawers or cabinets with can organizers and clear storage containers to keep contents fresh and help you find what you need. Add easy-to-read labels to help identify each container at a glance.

Gather old frames in various sizes, and paint them with sample jars of latex paint -- they're perfect for small projects like this. Mix and match frame sizes and orientation to create an interesting gallery wall.

Add shelves to an unused corner of the kitchen for cookbooks, colorful dishware, or other kitchen accents. In a small kitchen, every inch of wall space counts.

Add personality to a bland Roman shade with paint. Map out your design (here, a chevron pattern) with painter's tape, and use a roller or paintbrush to apply latex paint to the shade. Allow the paint to fully dry before operating the shade.

Keep the kitchen tools you use most in plain view. Add a magnetic knife rack and metal shelves for spices and cooking oils. Not only do these additions open up counter and drawer space, they accessorize your kitchen with your favorite tools.

Spice up an otherwise neutral kitchen with a colorful rug. Protect your floors and add a dose of personality in minutes. For easy cleaning, try a flat-weave or indoor-outdoor rug.

Give a tired chandelier a fresh look with new shades. Black shades were added to this chandelier to coordinate with the painted chairs and add drama to the room. Embellish existing shades with ribbon or paint, or swap them out for a completely different look.

Hang stainless-steel or porcelain cookware on a bare kitchen wall. A simple rod and S hooks create the perfect pot rack.

Create a color-coordinated display in your kitchen for maximum impact. Accessories of one color, such as the all-white display here, are a simple way to add style and substance to your kitchen. Choose items with texture and varying heights to create an interesting display.

Try open shelves in a small kitchen. Keep everyday dishware within easy reach, and keep the kitchen feeling open and airy.

Use a tension rod and leftover fabric to make a simple window treatment. Sew or use iron-on hem tape to create a small rod pocket at the top and hem the bottom. Add decorative trim for extra pizazz.

Use plate hangers to group dishes of similar colors on the wall as art. Hang sets of unused dishes, or buy colors you like at a secondhand store.

Update existing appliances to match other stainless-steel appliances with adhesive film. The removable peel-and-stick product comes on a roll and can easily be trimmed to size.

Tear colorful pictures from books or magazines to create beautiful and practically free wall art. Look for recipe books at secondhand stores for beautiful illustrations or pictures.