The designers from The Learning Channel's Trading Spaces know how to decorate on a budget. In each episode, they have only $1,000 and 48 hours to completely remodel one room in a home. We asked three of the show's designers -- Genevieve Gorder, Doug Wilson, and Frank Bielec -- for their best budget-conscious kitchen-improvement tips.

What's the best way to brighten a kitchen?

Genevieve: Cabinetry is the biggest thing. It's always so dark and heavy. I like to do glass inserts or paint it a lighter color.

Doug: Add recessed halogen lights under cabinets. Any do-it-yourselfer can do this easily.

Frank: Fluorescent light flattens things out. Great lighting -- something warm -- is best. It makes the food look better.

Do you have any neat tricks or suggestions to maximize storage space?

Genevieve: Hang pots up high, and always get an island. It's a necessity, and it can also be used as a table.

Doug: Overhead storage -- ceiling-mounted racks work well, even mounting racks over window trim. Get creative!

Frank: Get a folding or collapsible cart that you can roll. When you're done, you can fold it back up and put it away.

What's a good, durable, reasonably affordable flooring option?

Genevieve: I'd use slate or quarry tile, which is reasonably affordable at hardware stores. It's about 50 cents per square foot. So for around $300, you can have a gorgeous floor that also increases the value of your home.

Doug: You can always go over with new linoleum.

Frank: A good option is to buy an industrial carpet, which is fairly inexpensive.

If a makeover candidate has only $100 to spend, what do you suggest he or she do to make the most impact in the kitchen?

Genevieve: Paint your cabinetry, and get light in there.

Doug: Paint! Walls, blank canvases -- or both.

Frank: Spend the money on a bottle of wine and some really good food. Anything looks better after a good meal.