I sometimes talk to people who want to update their kitchen but are not ready to commit to a re-do. If you have a few dollars to invest but don’t want an entire overhaul, consider the following:

• Ask yourself if you’re someone who likes to cook or bake or the kind of person who wouldn’t cook if your life depended on it.
• If you are someone who likes to cook, upgrade your appliances. Appliances today perform so much better than 15 years ago. You’re not necessarily changing the overall look, but you’re improving function by 100 percent.
• Casual cooks should focus on the aesthetics, simple things that give a big bang like a new backsplash. Ugly cabinets can be refaced for less than replacing them; and if you’re in a single-story home, think about adding a skylight and upgrading your windows which will always change the feel of your room.

And, if you decide to go the route of a design and remodel, make sure you consult with local kitchen design and remodeling firms. They will have great ideas and, when the time is right, they will save you money and time in the long-run.