Why Paint Color Matters When Selling Your Home (And How to Choose the Right One)
Inspired by Zillow’s latest findings on color and home value
The Price Tag of Paint
Zillow surveyed thousands of buyers and found that homes painted in certain trending shades could sell for up to $2,600 more than similar homes with less appealing colors. Here are the standout choices:
Kitchen: Olive green kitchens, especially with cabinets in that shade, can increase sale price by $1,600.
Bedroom: Navy blue reigns supreme, with buyers offering up to $1,815 more for this timeless, calming color.
Living Room: Deep gray is a crowd-pleaser, potentially adding $2,600 to your offer price.
Bathroom: Mid-tone brown tones like Sherwin-Williams Java can add about $680.
While these colors are on-trend and evoke a cozy, sophisticated vibe, they may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Some buyers might love the rich colors, others may see them as future work. That’s why a neutral white remains a safe and powerful choice — it helps spaces appear larger, brighter, and gives buyers a clean slate to envision their own design dreams.
Pro Tip: Make Touch-Ups Easy for Buyers
If you’re not planning to repaint, one of the best things you can do is provide detailed paint information for each room. This saves buyers time, money, and guesswork if they want to do quick touch-ups or re-paint post-purchase. Here’s how to keep it simple:
Create a “Paint Color Sheet” with room-by-room names, paint brands, and finishes.
Include this info in your showing materials or leave a printed copy in the kitchen.
Add a digital copy to your listing file so agents and buyers can access it easily.
Example:
Living Room – Sherwin-Williams “Repose Gray,” Eggshell
Kitchen Cabinets – Benjamin Moore “Ripe Olive,” Satin
Trim – Behr “Ultra Pure White,” Semi-gloss
Even if you’ve made a few updates over time, take 20 minutes to document what you used — your future buyer will thank you.
Not Sure What to Do? Ask a Pro.
At the end of the day, choosing whether or not to repaint your home before selling depends on your goals, your timeline, and your local market. Our experienced agents can walk through your home and help you decide which paint updates are worth the effort and which ones can be skipped. Sometimes it’s as simple as a fresh coat of white to boost brightness and buyer appeal.
If your home’s color palette currently brings you joy, keep it! But if you’re aiming to attract the highest possible offer, remember this: you’re not decorating for yourself anymore — you’re marketing to buyers.
Ready for a second opinion? Reach out to our team today for a free home prep consultation!
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