Surprising Paint Colors Can 'Brush Up' Home Value, Experts Say

Choosing the right paint color could be a secret weapon for boosting home prices in a sluggish real estate market. A new analysis by Zillow suggests that buyers are increasingly drawn to warm, comfortable hues over stark white walls, potentially adding significant value to a property.

The report highlights chocolate brown as the most valuable interior paint color for bedrooms, estimated to increase a home's value by $2,277. "Painting is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to maximize a home's value before selling," said Charlie Lankston, executive editor of Realtor.com. A fresh coat of paint can instantly enhance a home's appeal, making a strong first impression on potential buyers.

Beyond bedrooms, other high-performing colors include light blue for living rooms, which can increase bids by approximately $1,723 compared to white walls. Charcoal gray in living rooms also showed a strong performance, adding around $1,509 to the sale price. In bedrooms, charcoal gray could add about $1,240, while sage green might contribute an additional $1,035.

Sage green emerges as a consistently safe bet for sellers. Zillow data indicates its popularity ranks high across various rooms, including bathrooms, living rooms, and bedrooms. Darker tones are also making a mark in kitchens, with charcoal gray kitchens selling for an average of $1,373 more, and deep purple kitchens fetching an average of $867 more.

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In selling a house, painting is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to maximize a home's value before selling.