Residential Paint Colors That Increase Property Value
Conventional wisdom says to paint your home a neutral color like white or off-white so you can appeal to a wide margin of potential buyers. It’s the safe choice that will increase home value, and is what a home buyer wants, right? Not so fast.
A recent Zillow study analyzed 32,000 photos from sold homes around the country to see how certain paint colors influenced increasing home value when compared to white walls. Their results were surprising.
According to Zillow, homes with walls painted blue or light grey added as much as $5,400 per room in overall value. Which room adds the most value? The bathroom. That’s right, the bathroom…
How did homes with white walls perform?
Zillow found that homes with white bathrooms sold for an average of $4,035 less than homes with colored bathrooms.
That’s great to know, but we’re just scratching the surface. Continuing reading to find out which colors payoff the most and learn which rooms you should be investing your hard earned money in. Also, stay tuned to the end to find out which color you should paint your front door to increase your home value by up to $6,000!
Let's take a look at Zillow's best and worst paint colors by room
Kitchen
Breezy – SW 7616
The kitchen can often be one of the most expensive renovations in any home. Many experts argue painting the kitchen is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your homes value. If your budget doesn’t allow for a full remodel, a fresh coat of paint might be a good start.
Best Color: Light blue to soft gray-blue. The average home sold for $1,800 more
Worst Color: Straw yellow to marigold. The average home sold for $800 less
Bedroom
Sherwin Williams Atmospheric SW6505
Walls painted in fresh, natural-looking colors, particularly in shades of blue and pale gray can not only make the bedroom feel bigger, but it also allows the buyer to envision themselves living inside the space. Think of it almost like a “blank canvas” that gives the buyer an opportunity to envision their own decor in the room. Adding a light blue or gray can dress up any tired bedroom and add an element of sophistication.
Best Color: Light blue. The average home sold for $1,856 more
Worst Color: Light pink. The average home sold for $208 less
Bathroom
Blue Cruise SW 7606
Bathroom renovations can often be costly and don’t always recoup the full investment. A quick way to cut the costs and increase property value is through the painting of your bathroom.
Kerrie Kelly, a home design expert at Zillow says, “Both kitchens and bathrooms are big focal points for home buyers. However, bathrooms are a bit more standardized than kitchens, so certain wall colors can really change the look and feel of the space. While wall colors are important in the kitchen, so are the kitchen appliances, countertop materials, and layout”. Kerrie brings up a great point because a kitchen renovation doesn’t stop just at the wall colors.
Best Color: Light powder blue to periwinkle. The average home sold for $5,440 more
Worst Color: Off-white or eggshell. The average home sold for $4,035 less
Living Room
Bona Fide Beige SW6065
The right color can make any living room feel larger, cozier, or more put together. Walls painted in cool neutrals like blue, beige, or gray can send signals the home is well cared for. Choosing an inviting neutral tone can help buyers picture themselves inside the living room.
Best Color: Light beige. The average home sold for $1,800 more
Worst Color: Pastel gray to light blue. The average home sold for $820 less
Front Door
Black Magic SW 6911
I bet you didn’t think of this one! A well-painted front door can add an extra pop and invite buyers into your home. To make a memorable pop, try a dark and sophisticated color like black or navy blue. A dark front door can give a buyer the impression that your home is stately and a safe choice.
Best Color: Black or navy blue. The average home sold for up to $6,000 more
Home Exterior
Stone Lion SW 7507
Curb appeal is the name of the game here. There is a fine line between tasteful and personal taste. The current trend according to Zillow is greige (a blend of gray and beige). The exterior color of your home will not make or break your property value, but it is something to consider. Looking for some tips on the benefits of exterior home painting? Check out our blog post on exterior painting benefits to learn more!
Best Color: Greige. The average home sold for $1,526 more
Worst Color: Medium brown or taupe. The average home sold for $1,970 less
The Verdict
Choosing the right paint colors can add substantial value to your home at a fraction of the cost of a full remodel. Of course, a remodel has potential to increase your home’s value significantly, however, when deciding between a new backyard patio and painting your entire home, the choice seems pretty easy. According to a recent Realtor.com study, they found a backyard patio renovation only recoups roughly 48% of its investment.
Experts agree that painting that just even a few rooms in your house is one of the most sure-fire ways to increase your property value. It doesn’t take too much time and can be done with or without the help of licensed painting contractors. Aside from the initial investment of paint and tools, you’ll only need a few days of your time and some determination.
Don’t have the time? No problem, we’re here to help. With over 25 years of painting experience, we are San Diego’s premier painting contractor. Our team of expert residential painters has the necessary skills to transform your home.
Unsure of what colors to paint your home? Our master color design consultants will work directly with you to pick the perfect paint colors for your home.
Schedule a FREE estimate with us today and let us show you why we’re a “cut above the rest”. In the meantime, we invite you to take a look at our gallery of past projects and online reviews.
