Painting Your Home for Resale

So you're listing your home for sale and you’ve probably made a checklist…

Declutter.                                                                                     

Remove family photos.

Paint. - colour???

What is the best colour to paint your walls for resale?

Well, that depends on a few different factors such as the age and style of your home, and what other finishes it's got going on such as cabinets, countertops and flooring. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all colour that can be prescribed. However, there’s no denying that neutral is the way to go, and if you consider these key factors you should be able to narrow it down to a suitable shade that suits your home and appeals to the majority of potential buyers.

The most popular paint colour for resale currently is a hybrid of grey and beige, a.k.a. “greige”.  This is a slightly warmer departure from the cool greys that dominated the design world a few years ago. This option plays nicely with a multitude of tones and colours and is the most highly recommended paint choice for resale in 2021 (and likely the next couple of years.) A soft and light greige colour acts as a backdrop for potential buyers to envision their belongings in the space, rather than being distracted and wondering what may have possessed someone to choose a certain colour for their walls such as lime green. No judgement here. In your new house, you can paint whatever colour makes you happy, but the home that you’re trying to sell is no longer about you. It’s about versatility and presenting a space that makes the new homeowners feel at ease because they won’t have to immediately re-paint once they take possession. Leaving your personalized colour palette on the walls could also result in low-ball offers that the potential buyers may justify with the cost of re-painting. If you're convinced greige is the way to go, try Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak or Sherwin Williams’ Repose Gray.

If your home is a newer build or has been recently renovated with modern finishes, an offwhite or cream colour could be more appropriate. When purchasing a newly built home, buyers are often looking for a turn-key, move in and move on experience. Off-whites are currently ontrend amongst the interior design industry and potential buyers can rest easy knowing that they won’t need to do any updating for several years. A word of caution when choosing off whites; stay away from anything with cool undertones. These can result in extra shadows and a space that feels stark and sterile. Picking a pleasant, warm tone is the key. The space should feel clean, bright and airy. Try Benjamin Moore Dove Wing for a warm and inviting hue of white.

While cooler greys are no longer the rage they were a few years ago, it may be suitable to paint in a light-toned grey if your existing flooring, cabinets or countertops are also grey in colour. Cooler grey-toned finishes may not pair well with the aforementioned greige and in this case, it would be best to select a shade that compliments the finishes of your home rather than following the latest trend. Many potential buyers will still consider grey walls to be current and appealing. Keeping the shade light will also help to avoid having a dated look. Benjamin Moore Silver Satin or Paper White are both lovely light greys.  

Once you’ve selected the winner, have your suitable neutral colour flow through all of the main areas of the home for a unified feel and don’t forget the trim. A pure white shade such as Benjamin Moore Simply White or Chantilly Lace will work well with almost any colour.

A fresh coat of paint in the right neutral can go a long way toward increasing the versatility and appeal of your home. It also makes the home smell and appear clean. Let’s face it, nobody wants to buy a stinky, dirty house! So if selecting the right paint colour for resale just seems too daunting a task, don’t hesitate to contact a professional designer or consult with your realtor. It really can make all the difference between getting top dollar, or, settling for less. 

written by: Monique St. Cyr for MeroSellsHomes