“Stick to a simple appliance palette, like black, white, or stainless steel,” says Fernando Pagés Ruiz, author of Affordable Remodel and founder of buildingaffordable.com. Why? “These color and material choices allow you to mix and match brands for the best price on each appliance.” If you choose stainless appliances from multiple brands, be sure to opt for a brushed versus smooth finish to help them blend in.