1. Create a glass-fronted cabinet. Remove the panels in a pair of cabinets that is visible when you first look inside the room. It will make the space feel more open.
2. Add under cabinet lighting. Many older kitchens don't have recessed fixtures or even lighting for the counters. A $20 fixture at a home improvement store will have a huge impact on lighting.
3. Paint the cabinets. Dated but solid wood cabinets can look new with a coat of paint. Don't want to do a whole kitchen? Do just the uppers and leave the lower cabinets the original color.
4. Add a backsplash or change yours out. Go from drywall to an easy to install mosaic. Take off the old 4" x 4" ceramic and install beadboard. Small budget, big impact.
