We all have ourown preference when it comes to colors, but according to some research, the paint colors we choose can directly impact the value ofour homes.
Zillowanalyzed 50,000 homes across the country to find that color decisions within a home can affectthe final sale price of thehome by over $1,000, give or take. The study revealed that while we all may not agree on our color choices, there are four paint colors in particular that should be avoided in order to get the maximum sale price for our homes.
Here are the colors that will decrease the value of your home, and that you should try to avoid at all costs.
1. Slate Gray
Grayis apopular and well-liked paint color choice, but you have to be careful when selecting the shade. Choosing the wrong shade of gray mayeither increase or decrease the final sale price of your home by more than $1,000.
Homeowners who chose to use slate gray on their dining room walls, for example,got$1,100 below the expected sale price for their home. In contrast, living room walls that were painted dove or light gray helped increased a home’svalue by $1,100.
2. Off-White
This might be the most surprising of the four offending colors.The study found that the use of off-white in some spaces—especially kitchens—can make a themfeel flat or dead.
Homes with off-white or eggshell kitchens were found to go for $82 below market value.
3. Terracotta
This bold paint choice could put a dent of -$793 on the value of your home. Zillow found that homes with terracotta-colored living rooms sold for less than the expected value.
4. Dark Brown
This color has been referred to as dirty, tar and even death (which sounds a little harsh if you ask me). When used in a bathroom or bedroom, dark brown lowered the final sale price by up to $469.
According to TIME, this color is disliked to the extent that the Australian government almost used it as the color on cigarette packaging to make smoking less appealing.
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Whatcolors actually add value to a home?
When looking to increase thevalue of our homes with a fresh coat of paint, Zillow suggests steering clear of these four paint choices.
Instead, we might consider painting ourkitchens in a creamy shade of yellow for an approximate $1,300 increase in final sale price. Homes with bedrooms painted light green or khaki saw a similar boost, and homes with dove or light gray living rooms sold for about $1,100 above the expected value.
In the same analysis as stated above, Zillow expertsanalyzed photos from nearly 50,000 homes sold around the country and came up with some interesting results about which paint colors get you the most bang for your buck.
Here are the paint colors that can increase the value of your home.
1. Purple
This one may throw you for a loop, but buyers apparently dig certain shades of purple in the dining room. Zillow found that mauve, eggplant or lavender increased the sale price of homes by $1,122.
2. Tan
Paint your bathroom an oatmeal or beige color and you’ll see the sale price of your house go up $283, according to Zillow.
For perhaps obvious reasons, you’ll want to steer clear of dark brown in the restroom or you could lose out on $469 come sale time.
3. Yellow
A creamy or wheat-colored yellow in your kitchen can increase the sale price of your home by $1,360, the Zillow analysis found.
Though it’s tempting to want a crisp, clean white kitchen, you’ll want to steer clear of off-white or eggshell, as those two colors can decrease your sale price by $82.
4. Green
In the bedroom, focus on light green or khaki colors to see an increase of $1,332 on your sale price. And once again, steer clear of dark brown—it may cost you $236.
5. Light Grey
Grey is apparently another question in the living room. If you paint your living room a dove or light gray color, you could increase your sale price by $1,104.
If you’re planning to do a little updating this spring or summer, you want to make smart choices about howyou spend your money.
Happy painting!
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[h/t: My Domaine]
As an enthusiast and expert in the realm of home aesthetics and design, particularly in the context of real estate, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the impact of paint colors on home values. My insights are not merely theoretical; they stem from a deep understanding of the intersection between color psychology and real estate market dynamics.
The article you've shared delves into the fascinating relationship between paint colors and the sale prices of homes, drawing on a comprehensive study conducted by Zillow. Zillow, a renowned real estate platform, analyzed a staggering 50,000 homes across the country, providing a robust dataset that underpins the following key concepts:
Colors that Decrease Home Value:
-
Slate Gray:
- Gray is a popular choice, but the shade matters significantly.
- Choosing the wrong shade, such as slate gray for dining room walls, led to a $1,100 decrease in the expected sale price.
-
Off-White:
- Surprisingly, off-white, especially in kitchens, was found to make spaces feel flat or dead.
- Homes with off-white or eggshell kitchens sold for $82 below market value.
-
Terracotta:
- The bold choice of terracotta could reduce a home's value by -$793.
- Terracotta-colored living rooms were associated with selling below the expected value.
-
Dark Brown:
- Dark brown, especially in bathrooms or bedrooms, lowered the final sale price by up to $469.
- Dark brown is noted for its negative connotations, even considered for cigarette packaging due to its perceived unpleasantness.
Colors that Increase Home Value:
-
Purple:
- Certain shades of purple in the dining room, like mauve, eggplant, or lavender, increased the sale price by $1,122.
-
Tan:
- Oatmeal or beige-colored bathrooms saw a $283 increase in the sale price.
-
Yellow:
- A creamy or wheat-colored yellow in the kitchen could boost the sale price by $1,360.
-
Green:
- Light green or khaki colors in the bedroom resulted in a $1,332 increase in the sale price.
-
Light Grey:
- Dove or light gray colors in the living room contributed to a $1,104 increase in the sale price.
These insights provide a nuanced understanding of the impact of color choices on real estate transactions. Whether one aims to avoid colors that decrease value or embrace those that enhance it, the data-backed recommendations from Zillow serve as valuable guidance for homeowners looking to maximize the appeal and market value of their properties.
