Boost Your Home’s Value with These Paint Colors

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When staging a home for sale, one of the most impactful decisions a seller can make is choosing the right paint colors. According to a recent study from Zillow, the right interior paint hues can potentially boost the value of a home by thousands, while the wrong ones could do the opposite. As a realtor, understanding which shades to recommend can be key to helping your clients achieve a higher sale price.

Darker Shades Are Making Waves

Gone are the days when light and bright colors were the go-to recommendation for staging a home. The latest findings show that deeper, more saturated colors are outpacing traditional neutrals. Zillow’s report reveals that hues like muted olive green, navy blue, and charcoal gray are making a strong impression on buyers. These colors are no longer considered risky—they’re viewed as modern, sophisticated, and desirable.

Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, notes, “Buyers view olive green and navy blue as contemporary colors, and that can have a halo effect on their perception of the entire home.”

These trendy shades can significantly enhance the overall appeal of a property, making it feel more current and connected to popular design movements like organic modernism.

Trending Paint Colors for Key Areas

Kitchen: Olive Green
Olive green is becoming a popular choice for kitchens, especially on cabinets. According to Zillow, homes featuring olive green in the kitchen saw an average increase in value of $1,597. The sophisticated, timeless appeal of this color makes it an ideal choice for kitchens aiming for both style and substance. Sherwin-Williams' Sue Wadden describes this shade as "timeless and sophisticated."

Bedroom: Navy Blue
For bedrooms, deep navy blue reigns supreme. This "moody hue" is ideal for creating a serene and calming atmosphere. Zillow’s study found that homes painted in this shade can earn an additional $1,815. Navy blue adds a touch of elegance and depth, which is why it’s considered a top choice for creating a luxurious, restful environment.

Living Room: Charcoal Gray
Charcoal gray is quickly becoming a go-to color for living rooms. Homes painted in this dark, versatile hue saw an average increase of $2,593 in value. Charcoal gray not only works well in living rooms but also pairs perfectly in kitchens and bedrooms, making it a flexible, value-boosting option for multiple areas of the home.

Avoiding Colors That Can Hurt Home Value

While choosing the right color can add significant value to a home, some hues could have the opposite effect. Bright or outdated colors, like daisy yellow or fire engine red, can detract from a home's appeal and even lower its perceived value. Zillow's research found that a yellow kitchen or living room can reduce a home's value by nearly $4,000, while a red color scheme could cost sellers around $2,000. To avoid these pitfalls, it's essential to stay current with color trends and choose shades that will resonate with today's buyers.

What This Means for Realtors

Zillow’s findings challenge the conventional wisdom that light neutrals are always the best choice for resale. As a realtor, advising clients on color strategy should be part of your pre-listing consultation. If a home needs a fresh coat of paint, steer your clients toward modern, sophisticated colors that are proven to boost value. Be sure to also consider regional preferences, as what works in one neighborhood might not work in another.

Bottomline

Choosing the right paint colors can make a dramatic difference in how quickly and for how much a home sells. If you’re considering putting your home on the market in Orange County, take note of these trending hues that can help boost your property's value. When you’re ready to make a move or need expert advice on staging and selling, feel free to reach out to me at Whitestone Real Estate. Let’s work together to get the best possible return on your property investment.

Reference: Hammiel, R. (2025, June 17). These are the paint colors that will raise the value of your next listing. Inman.