According to the latest reports from the National Association of Realtors, the real estate market in Northern Virginia is holding steady despite the volatile housing market nearing the end of 2022. One of the biggest factors driving this growth is the increasing focus on home improvements, including interior painting.

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The colors you choose to decorate your space with can deeply affect the way you feel about your home. So it comes as no surprise that research shows that our paint color choices can also affect the way potential buyers feel about our homes.

Certain colors tend to be either universally appealing or unpopular. A 2021 Zillow survey of over 1000 home shoppers showed that choosing the right shades in your home can pay off big-time.

Decreasing the Value of Your Home Using Color

1. Slate Gray

In the past decade, gray has reigned king of the neutrals in home design. It’s generally popular across the board, but it’s important to take care when choosing which shade of gray you put on your walls. The wrong choice could swing your sale price by more than $1000 in either direction!

The undertones in the shade you choose can make a huge impact on the overall feeling of a room. Homeowners who painted their dining room walls a dark, cooler shade of gray saw an average decrease of over $1000 in the sale price of their homes, while the use of a brighter, warmer shade of gray in main living spaces brought in approximately $1000 more! 

2. Off-White

This one might surprise you. The same study discovered that the seemingly safe off-white color family was rather off-putting to home buyers. “White” paint is so much more than just white, making it one of the more difficult shades to choose.

Going with a shade with too much yellow, for instance, can make spaces look drab and dingy. Buyers tend to be turned off by the wrong white shades – particularly in kitchens.

3. Terracotta

Once a very popular paint choice, terracotta has fallen out of home buyers’ good graces. This bold and warm color choice can be a turn-off to potential home buyers. The Zillow study indicated that homes with terracotta-colored living rooms even had a final sale price of less than the expected value.

4. Dark Brown

The color of mud and tobacco, dark brown has become almost universally an unappealing color when used in home decor. You can expect a decrease in your sale price when a buyer has to cover and repaint this heavy shade.

Don’t believe us? European governments use this color in combination with unsettling images on cigarette packs to make the product less appealing in an effort to deter smoking.

Adding Value to Your Home Using Color

Now that we’ve discussed what poor color choices can do for the sale of your home, let’s talk about the colors that can add value! Most realtors suggest a fresh coat of paint when getting ready to sell your home, and what you choose can make a world of difference. According to research, these are the shades that you should consider using for interior painting throughout your home before you list:

1. Purple

Another surprise on the list is purple. This regal shade invokes feelings of creativity, peace, wealth, and tranquility. A lovely lavender bathroom or mauve bedroom may just increase the value of your home by over $1000!

2. Tan

It may not be the most exciting color, but this neutral is universally appealing. You can go with warmer oatmeal shades or cooler beige shades. Whatever you choose, the Zillow study shows that you’re likely to see an increase in your sale price.

 3. Yellow

A soft, buttery yellow in your home can attract buyers and increase the value of your home by over $1000, the Zillow analysis found. Try a nice yellow with a crisp white trim in your kitchen for a classic color combination that buyers love.

4. Green

Choosing the right shade of green in your home can attract buyers. This color invites feelings of health and new beginnings. If you are going to use it in a bedroom, focus on light, soft shades of green rather than one that is too bright or heavy. Using the right green color can increase your home’s sale price by over $1500!

5. Light Gray

Light gray is the new beige. Most buyers find a soft, hazy shade of dove gray so appealing that you could increase the sale price of your home by more than $1,100. Color can change the tone of everything in your home. So choose your color palette wisely, and have fun painting

Getting Help From the Pros

Taking on any home improvement project can be stressful. At Pro Edge Painting, we love what we do and we are proud to offer our many years of experience to help you make the most of your budget and goals – from painting and beyond. Contact our team today and let us know how we can help you tackle any project that you have in mind to enhance your spaces and increase the value of your home!.

Adding new paint colors to your home is an easy way to bring new life and style to a space. However, choosing paint colors for your home can be intimidating for the novice interior designer. With so many shades and finishes on the market, as well as ever-changing trends, it can seem impossible to make the right choice. Keeping a few simple tips in mind while paint shopping can help you create the perfect color palette for your home.  

Determine the Mood

Paint color can be used to cultivate a specific mood in a space. Bright colors can lift the energy of a space, making them a great choice for spaces where people gather, such as kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms. Cool tones like blues, aqua colors, or greens have the opposite effect and can calm the energy of a space. These shades work well in relaxing spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms.

To add sophistication to any color, opt for a shade with gray undertones. You can also select a neutral color palette with classic natural shades like beige, taupe, or warm grays that work well in any room of the house. With a neutral wall color, you can introduce pops of color with linens and accent decor.  

Consider the Room Size 

Generally speaking, light colors can make a space appear bigger. If the room you are painting is small, avoid a bold or bright color, which will make the room feel even smaller. Instead, choose a crisp white or other soft tone, which will make the room seem open and airy. 

Conversely, use darker, richer colors to make a large space feel more intimate. These colors create an illusion that draws the wall inward and gives a cozier feel to the space. This effect is emphasized when the trim in the space is painted a lighter, contrasting color. 

Evaluate Your Natural Light

Paint swatches in stores are often displayed under harsh fluorescent lighting, and colors will likely look very different in your home. Before committing to a color in-store, bring the swatch or sample home to see how it looks in the space. If your room lacks natural light, go for a lighter shade to keep the space bright. Bold or darker shades will work well in rooms with abundant sunlight.

The directionality of your space’s light can also affect how a color will look in a room. North-facing rooms get less direct sunlight throughout the day and can benefit from a warmer paint color. South-facing rooms experience the opposite effect, and bold colors can be too intense in these spaces. East-facing rooms lack warmth in the evening light and look great in warmer tones, and west-facing rooms can be toned down with cool colors. 

Ready to Change Your Space?

Updating your interior paint doesn’t have to be a stressful process. Our team of experienced professionals is here to help. Living in Gainesville? Call Pro Edge Painting for a free estimate today!