What Color Should I Paint the Walls?
One of the most common questions I get asked when someone is preparing to sell their home is “what color should I paint the walls?” I think people love to ask this question for 2 reasons:
Paint is an easy change. Yes, it can be a lot of work, but it doesn’t require demolition, structure changes, or even a large investment.
Paint makes a HUGE difference. Color has the ability to evoke emotions, affect the way we see the size, and change the whole feel of a house.
Since it’s so commonly asked, I figured I’d tackle a post discussing paint colors and sharing what I often tell my sellers.
It comes down to this: are you working to make the house your own, or are you working to make it someone else’s home?
Making a House Your Own
If you are planning to live in your home for several years, or are planning on buying a house and imagining ways to make it feel like home, I encourage you to pick the colors that make it yours.
If you are a bold individual, bring on the bold! If you’d describe yourself as a minimalist, stick to neutrals. If you want things to feel peaceful, look for shades of blue, purple, and grey and maybe stay away from reds and bright oranges.
Do some research on the colors of the year, or ask a friend what color they used if it’s something you really like.
In short, you can’t go wrong when it comes to choosing colors for a house you want to be in. However, if you are still worried about the colors on the wall or plan to sell your home soon, I encourage you to paint your walls neutral colors (greys, tans, whites).
Preparing to Sell
Neutrals are one of the best ways to get your home into selling shape because it provides a blank canvas to those potentially buying your home. They can envision their own colors on the wall, and they can also more easily picture what their life would look like if they were to purchase your house.
Setting the stage for your home buyers with neutral colors includes paint colors, but can also go beyond that. Think about the whole space: cabinets, backsplash, wallpaper, door color, fireplaces, etc. You want to make it as easy as possible for someone to imagine their life in your home.
For example, if you love bold colors and fun patterns, you might think twice before installing bold wallpaper all over your living room. Why? Because if you have a buyer who only loves neutral colors and minimal patterns, it means more potential work for them. And the truth is some buyers just aren’t interested in redoing houses. If your house isn’t a fixer-upper, don’t let potential buyers see it as one. Keep it neutral.
Final Thoughts
Painting the walls is not a requirement for preparing your home to sell. Especially in this seller’s market, homes are often selling “as is”. However, neutral paint colors could attract more buyers and possibly get you higher offers. So, if you’re working to make a big impact with just a little effort and investment, paint is the way to go!
Next Steps
If you have questions about wall colors, the buying or selling process, or anything else, I’d love to help! Reach out to me at traceyrice@kw.com or 405-226-3770 anytime!