The old saying still holds true: At every party everyone ends up in the kitchen sooner or later -- even when it's your outdoor kitchen!

And no matter the size, it never seems big enough. That's because it's filled with happy revelers propped up against the refrigerator door, or joking with the chef at the BBQ pit, and scanning the outdoor kitchen counter for good eats and beverages.

There's just something festive and inviting about an outdoor kitchen that makes it a natural gathering place. And just like your indoor kitchen, it forms the heart of a home in everyday life, whether it's indulging in a lazy breakfast in the morning sunlight or playing host at an intimate alfresco dinner party.

And even with everything costing more these days, creativity counts for more when designing an open-air kitchen to suit your lifestyle as well as your budget.

So why not extinguish winter's chill and begin thinking now about how to add punch to your outdoor kitchen with these 12 ideas that are sure to give yours a personal touch on the cheap:

1. Use bold colors like eggplant with lime accents.
2. Add an indoor flourish by installing a whiteboard on the outdoor refrigerator where family members can leave affectionate notes and reminders.
3. Transfer children's artwork to tiles then use the tiles in a border or as insets in your outdoor kitchen floor.
4. Decoupage outdoor kitchen stools with bits of memorabilia from holidays or events.
5. Faux paint outdoor kitchen stools to match your outdoor kitchen tableware.
6. Show your passion for the environment by using energy-saving light fixtures, recycled glass accents, or add a recycling center.
7. Paint a trompe l'oel carpet or a faux runner on your outdoor kitchen floor.
8. Make a twig chandelier and hang it above your eating area for a funky rustic look.
9. Carve your initials or a significant date into the outdoor kitchen hearth.
10. Paint a mural on an outdoor kitchen wall to evoke a farmhouse or tropical feel.
11. Bejewel your outdoor kitchen drawers and cabinets with hand-painted knobs.
12. Paint calligraphic inscriptions of your favorite sayings or exotic oriental symbols on your outdoor kitchen walls.

For other inspiring outdoor kitchen ideas, visit Merci's Outdoor Kitchen Ideas Guide at Outdoor Kitchen Ideas Guide - Think of it as a big 'ol Outdoor Kitchen Ideas buffet! and transform your space into a place of tranquility and respite.

And remember, at your next alfresco party, I'll see you in the outdoor kitchen!