[header] How to update your kitchen on a budget [title] Paint the walls. [step] Paint is one of the simplest, cheapest ways to update your kitchen. If you have a bold retro color, you will probably need to prime the walls before you can apply a new color. 
If you are only trying to update faded white or off-white walls-including walls stained with tobacco smoke-primer may not be necessary. You can go with pure white to give your kitchen a fresh, modern feeling, or you can opt for a light blue to add a calm, refreshing dose of tranquility.