Changing a dingy kitchen into a sparkling, showroom-quality food prep and dining area doesn't have to cost a lot of money. You don't even need to go as far as buying new appliances or changing the layout of your kitchen. It might be as simple as updating your paint and lighting.

The kitchen probably gets the most use in your household as a gathering location where your family prepares food, does homework and plays games. This can leave the walls looking a little gray. Smoke particles, hand prints and even splashes from all the sauces boiling on the stove can make the paint color or wall paper look old.

If you were trapped on a desert island and you could only bring five utensils, what would they be? OK, so perhaps gourmet cooking wouldn't be at the top of your list of priorities if you were stuck on an island ... but you get the point.With so many different forms of culinary cutlery available, it's easy for a new cooking enthusiast to become overwhelmed with options. Here are the five basics that no kitchen should be without.

1. Non-stick skillet with glass lid
This is one essential with many different uses. Own this skillet for a week and keep track of how many times you will rely on it - you'll be surprised. The non-stick aspect will take a lot of the frustration out of both the preparation and cleanup processes and the glass lid will allow you to follow many recipes while still seeing what's going on inside. A non-stick skillet is frequently used in culinary training programs because of its versatility. Breakfast foods are especially great in a skillet. You can make an assortment of items including pancakes, eggs and bacon.

(ARA) - As you plan your home and office improvements, think long-term by making choices that are informed, responsible and financially sound. The American Hardwood Information Center suggests hardwood flooring -- one of the best long-term investments to be made. It is environmentally friendly, forever fashionable, and will last for generations.

Solid hardwood flooring
Solid hardwood flooring is just that -- a solid plank of hardwood milled into a piece of flooring, usually with a tongue and groove on the edges and ends, so that the pieces fit together on all sides. While it comes in a variety of thicknesses, 3/4-inch is the most common produced in the U.S. and is usually nailed to a wooden subfloor. Thinner profiles, such as 5/16 inch, can be glued directly on to a surface such as concrete. Widths typically range from 2 1/4-inch strip to 8-inch and wider plank. Favorite U.S. species are red and white oak, hard maple, ash, hickory and pecan, walnut and cherry. All solid hardwood flooring can be sanded and refinished, however special care must be taken with the thinner profiles. And in all cases of hardwood flooring installation, a clean, moisture-free surface is essential to eliminate future problems with movement or moisture.

(ARA) - Think your kitchen needs a makeover? Why not try a "make under"?

"Less is more" is the new mantra for homeowners who want to take control of their home decor - eliminating clutter, streamlining products and taking a simplified, minimalistic approach to their home-improvement projects. The perfect room to begin this organized overhaul is the kitchen, as it's a spot that tends to clutter quickly. Learn how you can make under this space and uncover its true beauty.