Scratch the itch to remodel baths and kitchens with smaller projects

It's a reality of our fragile economy: Many homeowners who dream of the perfect kitchen or master bath are putting full-scale renovation on hold in favor of more limited changes.

"What's on everyone's minds is making the space feel a little better and function a little better until you can reach the ultimate kitchen or bath that you want," says Danny Lipford, host of a nationally syndicated home-improvement radio show.

But which small projects are worth it if you're going to remodel in just a few years?

Choose projects that offer big change at little cost or that serve as first steps toward eventual full-scale renovation, says Sabrina Soto, designer and host of HGTV's new series "The High Low Project."

Lipford suggests making changes to the biggest surfaces in a room, such as countertops or floors. Using a type of paint sold in a kit (Lipford recommends one found at Gianigranite.com), homeowners can paint over an old laminate countertop and then seal it with a coating that mimics the look and solid feel of laminate and looks surprisingly good, all for less than $50.

Tanya Memme, host of A&E's "Sell This House," agrees that big surfaces are a good place to start. "Any room will look bad if the floors aren't in decent shape," she says.

Cover a soon-to-be-replaced wood or tile floor with a colorful new rug, or put down peel-and-stick vinyl tiles. Good quality vinyl tiles resembling granite can cost several hundred dollars if you're covering a full kitchen floor. But the change is dramatic, so it may be worthwhile even for just a few years of use.

Old ceramic tile floors and tile walls can get a facelift for just a few dollars if you use grout stain, Lipford says. You can make dingy grout a pristine white again or change it to a new color.

Memme suggests adding a tile backsplash to a kitchen wall for a burst of new style. Do it yourself to save money. "It might seem difficult to put up tile," she says, "but actually it's very easy to do." Small tiles come on a mesh sheet, so you're not placing each one.

Installing under-cabinet or over-cabinet lighting probably isn't wise if you'll be removing the cabinets in a year or two, says Michael Hydeck, president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. But a new ceiling light can be installed now and still be used when kitchens or bathrooms are renovated.

Changing window treatments also can change a room's lighting and bring in fresh color. Remove old blinds or shades and replace them with inexpensive curtains.