Remodeling your home can instantly increase its resale value. Certain improvements bring a better return on investment than others. Updating your kitchen ranks in the top ten activities. Beyond updating with new appliances, you need to update the color scheme to something with universal appeal.

Why Natural Color Schemes

You may think a bright, sunny yellow makes a cozy, homey kitchen, but that may not appeal to home buyers. Natural color schemes work best to achieve universal appeal. Natural colors accommodate any existing furnishings with zero color clash. The red table a couple received for a wedding gift won't clash with white or cream walls.

Choosing the Best Color Combinations

Natural means neutral. Start with a color that works with any furniture and accessories for your main color. Use the main color for walls, cabinets and countertop. That doesn't mean monochromatic. You can vary the hues within the color.
White provides a fresh, clean feeling that energizes. Both all-white and white with other neutral accents work.Gray garnered a bad rap as a cold color, but the right shade brightens like white. It also pairs well with numerous other colors.
Cream as a main color opens the door to metallic accents like copper or rich colors like chocolate and yellow. The accents pair well in large treatments, such as a copper oven hood, or small details like one-inch mosaic tiles forming a backsplash.

Choosing the Right Materials

The right materials, such as these tiles from Monterrey Tile Company , mix color and texture to provide enlivening accents. Choosing the materials you'll use makes as much impact as the color scheme. Plan your remodel with a design consultant, paying careful attention to choices of:
• countertop
• cabinets
• floors
• fixtures
The kitchen countertops provide the largest color component after the walls. Of course, choose a durable, easily cleaned material. Stainless steel or zinc provide a solid color surface that fits the bill. For various tones, choose granite, Caesarstone or natural wood. Slabs or large tiles minimize grout lines which creates a smoother, easier to clean surface.
Choose cabinetry carefully. These remain at eye level whether you are sitting or standing, so they form a major focal point. Natural materials like slate, marble and wood make the best choices. Consider a slightly lighter or darker hue of your wall color.
Flooring should complement the kitchen colors. It also needs to work well in transition with other rooms' flooring.
Your fixture choices pull it all together. If you want a bold accent color, like copper, use it here. Tie the kitchen together with light fixtures, sink and faucets, and an oven hood in the same color.
Remodeling your kitchen makes it new for you. It also can make it more appealing to the next owner. Choose natural colors and materials to earn the best ROI on your remodeling investment. Natural, neutral tones compliment any kitchen furniture combination which means your kitchen garners more appeal when you eventually sell your home.

Author's Bio: 

Emma is a freelance writer currently living in Boston, MA. She writes most often on education and business. To see more from Emma, say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2