There are plenty of fun and affordable ways to create a unique space that expresses your family's individuality.  The following on-day projects will leave you with a full wallet and a feeling of accomplishment - without the sore muscles a week-long project can bring.

Paint the ceiling with color to create a more intimate space.  Typically ceilings are either the same color as the walls or a shade of white.  By adding another shade on the ceiling, you give your whole room a lift - literally.  Opt for a hue that's slightly lighter than the walls for a more subdued, warmer feel.  For a more striking look, go with a color that's complimentary, but altogether different, than the shade on the walls.

Right now, color blocking is creating a lot of interest and is seen as a form of visual artwork.  This popular decorating method will give a wall an ultra-contemporary look without overpowering the room.  Color blocking involves painting several colors in various-sized squares, rectangles and other geometric shapes on the wall or a portion of a wall.  The Paint Quality Institute suggests that the key to drawing the shapes in different dimensions is a "map them out in a geometric, visually balanced arrangement on the wall.  These blocks should be sketched on paper, then transferred to the wall and outlined lightly in pencil, then filled in with paint."

Try painting a bold accent color on one wall to gie it a whole new feel.  This project can easily be completed in only a few hours.  If you change your mind or have rouble committing to a color, you can repaint in a snap. 

Give kitchen cabinets a new attitude.  In many homes, the kitchen is where the family congregates, so you'll want to be a warm, inviting space.  Nothing hinders that like outdated or damaged cabinetry.  The time you'll spend on this project varies with the number of cabinets you have, but the effect is immediate.  If your cabinets need an overhaul but you don't have the time or dollars it would take, try painting decorative trim or edges in a complimentary color for finished look.  Or, remove the cabinet doors and paint the insides an eye-catching shade to add drama to a drab kitchen.  Add new hardware for that extra punch.