Have you been living with an inefficient older kitchen, while daydreaming of an update? You don’t have to launch a full-fledged renovation to make your kitchen more livable. Just a few changes can make all the difference.

The Wall St. Journal recently offered six additions that can transform your kitchen from awkward to awesome:

1. Island: A kitchen island allows you welcome room to spread out when preparing meals. If you don’t have money or space to construct a permanent island, consider buying moveable options; these are often inexpensive yet still attractive. Check out island ideas at houzz.com/portable-kitchen-island.

2. Wall oven: Ovens placed below the stove might save space, but they also force you into awkward positions as you check the progress of your cooking and pull things in and out of the oven. A wall oven allows you to see inside the oven at eye level. It also opens up the possibility of a double oven, which lets you prepare food at different temperatures simultaneously.

3. Pullout shelves and other organizers: What can be more frustrating than fruitlessly searching for cans that are hidden in the farthest reaches of the pantry? With pullout shelves, you can see everything at once, making retrieving items a joy rather than a continual irritation.

4. Pots and pans rack: For an inexpensive way to keep your pots and pans accessible, install a wall-mounted rack that allows you to hang them in a handy place. Most home stores offer a range of options.

5. Dishwashers: Today’s dishwashers offer many convenient loading options, as well as energy efficiency. If your old kitchen doesn’t have one, or has an antiquated model, this simple installation will make life exponentially easier.

6. Ventilation: The food you cook may taste good, but often its smells linger and become stale. Keep your kitchen fresh by installing a quality externally vented system.

Wanting to fix up more than just your kitchen? Read more home updates by viewing similar past articles on our blog.