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If you’re in the process of staging a listing, it might be time to talk paint with your sellers.
A new study from Zillow suggests that the right interior paint colors can boost home value by thousands, while the wrong ones could drag it down.
Amanda Pendleton | Zillow Home Trends Expert
According to the study, darker, more saturated shades are outperforming the classic “light and bright” advice that many sellers lean on. Think muted olive green in kitchens, rich navy blue in bedrooms and deep charcoal gray in living rooms.
“Buyers view olive green and navy blue as contemporary colors, and that can have a halo effect on their perception of the entire home,” Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, said in Zillow’s report.
“These shades of blue and green are associated with organic modernism, a value-driving aesthetic that incorporates sustainable materials like wood and stone,” she added.
Kitchen: Olive Green
Sue Wadden | Sherwin-Williams Director of Color Marketing
Homes with olive green kitchen cabinets are catching buyers’ eyes and adding value. Buyers say they would offer $1,597 more for homes with this color choice.
According to Zillow, Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams director of color marketing, says the shade is timeless and sophisticated.
Bedroom: Navy Blue
This “moody hue” is set to bring peace, serenity, depth and elegance to the bedroom. Deep navy blue is rated the top choice for bedroom paint colors, and could net your client $1,815 more.
Living room: Charcoal Gray
Charcoal is emerging as a power color for living rooms, with homes painted in this shade earning $2,593 more on average. It also works well in kitchen and bedrooms.
Colors that cost sellers
Bright or outdated shades could work against your seller. Daisy yellow kitchens or living rooms dropped perceived value by nearly $4,000, while fire engine red cost sellers around $2,000 in main areas of the house.
What this means for agents
Zillow’s findings challenge the long-held belief that light neutrals are always best for resale.
Before listing, it’s worth advising clients on their color strategy. If the home needs a refresh, steer them toward modern hues and away from overly bright or dated colors. And of course, what sells in one zip code may not work in another, so check the pulse of your market.
