When your home is on the market, you want it to attract buyers, and sell quickly– for as much money as possible. You can avoid having to delist your home by making sure that it’s in tip-top shape. This includes ensuring the home’s interior is aesthetically pleasing – and if you have a great outdoor entertaining space, it doesn’t hurt to highlight this feature as well.
And now, according to new research by Zillow, the paint colors you choose for the various rroms of the home. Zillow surveyed thousands of homebuyers to identify the paint colors in the kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom that can increase the selling prie by up to $2,500.
Kitchen: Olive Green
According to Zillow research, a home with an olive green kitchen will attract more interest from buyers than any other color. But don’t rush out and paint your kitchen walls this color. Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, tells me that a kitchen with olive green cabinets could increase a home’s sale price by about $1,600.
However, Zillow’s research found that there’s another color that buyers also like in the kitchen: “Homes with a dark gray kitchen can sell for roughly $2,400 more,” Pendleton says. But be advised that the research found not as many buyers prefer a dark gray kitchen, so it’s a catch 22 situation. Pendleton says you may receive higher offers, but you may not get as many of them.
Bedroom: Navy Blue
If you’re thinking of painting your bedroom, Pendleton says blue – specifically navy blue – is a winning color. “Our research reveals that blue is the bedroom color that buyers prefer the most,” she explains. Specifically, Pendleton says navy blue is the color that can command the most money, increasing the price, on average, by $1,815.
Bathroom: Mid-Tone Brown
A rich reddish-brown color in your bathroom could yield a higher offer. According to Pendleton, a mid-tone brown bathroom could help you sell your home for $680 more. Buyers tend to like the balance between coziness and elegance that this color produces.
Living Room: Dark Gray
In the living room, buyers seem to like neutrals, but they’re willing to be more daring. Pendleton says dark neutrals can increase the selling price by $2,600.
Why Paint Colors Matter
According to Brett Ringelheim, licensed real estate salesperson at Compass in New York, paint colors can indeed significantly influence a home’s appeal. “As an agent, I consistently advise my buyers to look past dated or unconventional paint choices, as this is a minor, easily rectifiable update, often completed within a day of ownership and at minimal cost.” He explains that his goal is to ensure that a buyer’s initial impression focuses on the property’s layout and overall condition, rather than being sidetracked by paint colors that can be quickly changed.
However, the fact that he has to remind buyers not to focus on a easily-changeable feature underscores how buying a home tends to be an emotional experience. Savvy sellers know this, and are willing to make adjustments to ensure the home is appealing to buyers. Admittedly, some of the color choices in Zillow’s research are rather bold. Does this mean that the average buyer is ready to embrace bolder colors?
Luxury property specialist Libby McKinney Tritschler, explains that color can significantly impact mood and spatial perception. “Lighter tones, such as warm whites, soft greys, or pale beiges, make rooms feel more open and airier, while still offering a clean canvas that allows buyers to envision their furnishings,” she says.
That’s because potential buyers need to see themselves living in the space. Tritschler notes that neutral colors are a good choice because they ap–peal to the broadest audience. “This means fewer objections and faster offers.” She recommends soft blues and greens in smaller spaces, such as bedrooms, as they have a calming effect.
What about white – is it out of style? Tritschler believes you can’t go wrong with a white hue. “If white appears to be boring, remember you are painting the home to sell, not to live in.” And she says you can always add a subtle contrast by painting the trim with a high-gloss finish to elevate the look and define the space elegantly.
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