People who are looking to renovate their kitchen on a tight budget should update their hardware as a priority, one expert has claimed.Interior design specialist David Herchik, writing for the Washington Post Home Front column, told a reader asking for recommendations in this area that kitchen cabinets should be the first thing to replace. Asked whether flooring, countertops or replacing a fridge were more important, Mr Herchik replied I would start with the cabinets.He added that cost-effective options are available in well-known retail outlets and he noted that countertops for kitchen sink areas could also be purchased at the same time, provided the cabinets are bought for the right price. According to the designer, new kitchen cupboards are likely to have a greater visual impact than other upgrades. Last month, interiors expert Dan Menchions told the National Post that mixing up the colours between upper and lower cabinets can make kitchens pop.