Cook Up a New Style for Under $1,000

INSTALL A BACKSPLASH AND APPLIANCE COVERS
"For a really clean, contemporary look, a homeowner can easily install a stainless steel laminate backsplash," says Trivisonno.

Capped with a thin layer of stainless steel, copper or aluminum, metallic laminate sheets can be used as countertop backsplashes, as appliance covers and for the wall area behind the cooking range. And because they install with little more than a few dabs of panel adhesive, the job is easy enough for any do-it-yourselfer.

Cut to fit and applied to the wall with adhesive, the panels create the look of an expensive pro-style kitchen for as little as $10 per square foot. Homeowners can select from classic stainless steel to warm hammered copper. Finishes come in polished, matte and even diamond plate for a bold industrial-chic feel.

Stainless steel appliances are all the rage, but it makes no financial sense to replace an appliance in good working order. A properly sized metallic laminate panel affixed to the face of a refrigerator or dishwasher can modernize its look for a tiny fraction of what a new appliance would cost.