It’s no secret that color is a subjective thing. We express our personality through color, and that’s possibly on display in our homes more so than in any other area of our lives. While actively living in your space, that’s all well and good, but when it comes time to sell, you have to start rethinking how color can work for you rather than against you. Your favorite color might be mustard yellow, and, by all means, celebrate that in your home, but when it comes time to sell, don’t be surprised if your realtor gently suggests changing that out for a soft neutral tone that allows buyers to picture their own personality on display within those four walls. Keep reading for a handful of our favorite sellable paint colors to try, and we’ll explain why they work best for the market.
Neutral “Greige”: You might have heard that light neutral gray or beige is best for your walls before listing to sell, and while we wholeheartedly believe that there’s truth to that statement, we love to get even more specific and suggest the idea of a neutral “greige.” What on earth is that, you might be asking? Well, it’s a simple combination of gray and beige to form the perfect synthesis of both colors all in one! In layman’s terms, it’s a gray color with slightly warmer undertones. A personal favorite “greige” wall paint option to try when looking to sell your home is “Agreeable Gray” from Sherwin Williams. It’s off-white with just a hint of warm gray in it, and looks beautiful in just about any space—even those with little to no natural light.
. Light Blue/Green Tones: How often have you heard interior designers talk about wanting to turn their clients’ bathroom into a “spa-like” retreat? Probably a lot, and with good reason! The idea of a relaxing, refreshing spa is generally pretty attractive, so the goal of recreating that type of atmosphere in your home is a worthy one. To pull it off, we suggest painting your bathroom walls a light blue or misty green color, such as Benjamin Moore’s “Brittany Blue” or “Positive Energy” from BEHR. These types of tones are actually proven to relax the body and mind, so it’s a safe bet when looking to draw buyers in. Oh, and don’t feel limited to using these colors just in the bathroom either. You might want to reuse the paint to create an accent wall to one side of the family room. Bonus: reusing the same colors throughout your home gives it a sense of thoughtful, cohesive flow, too!
Pure White: There’s certainly something to be said for choosing color for your walls when prepping for the market, but pure white is worth a try if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of the options at the paint counter. “High Reflective White” from Sherwin Williams, for example, is just about as pure as white paint comes, and gives your home a dynamic, truly neutral palette that lets all of your home’s built-in architectural features really shine. White tends to be the easiest color for potential buyers to picture their own belongings against, too, so you’ll make their brainstorming process easy. If you’re worried that pure white will feel too sterile, we suggest Sherwin Williams’ “Snowbound,” which is white with just a hint of warmth to it. Also keep in mind that you can add temporary (read: removable) color to a room with thoughtfully placed colorful wall art! This trick gives buyers a sense of what added color would look like in the space without making them balk at the idea of having to repaint as soon as they move in.
While living in your home, it’s natural to be drawn toward colors that energize and inspire you every day, but your goals are likely a little different when it comes time to sell. Instead of drawing attention to your decor and personal aesthetic, you’ll want your home’s color palette to soften and allow the space as a whole to look ready for new personalities to move in. Lighter, more neutral tones achieve this end goal best, so when it comes time to sell, be prepared to break out your paint roller and drop cloth!
By Carrie Waller, dreamgreendiy.com