Color psychology and trends to enhance your home’s appeal, sale price
Editor’s Note: This article recently appeared in the Los Altos Town Crier.
There’s a reason that fine art majors and designers take entire courses on color. Color theory, the idea that color affects mood and meaning in space, is crucial when selling your home. The color of your home’s interior can play a significant role in attracting buyers and maximizing your sales price.
The Power of Neutral Colors
Neutral colors create a calming and cohesive atmosphere. When selling your home, you're selling the space, not just the physical elements like counters and walls. Light, neutral colors help create the perception of more space, making your home feel larger and more inviting. The trusted designer on my team has always told me: If you create light, you create more space—and more space equals more money.
Trending Colors in 2024
Our designers agree that neutral, warmer colors are trending this year. With Kelly Moore abruptly closing and going out of business, we are seeing Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace OC 65 come to popularity. Sherwin Williams offers similar shades and is slightly cheaper, but we always suggest using the best quality you can afford. Most vendors have some version of a Swiss Coffee, ranging from pale beige to bright off-white. One thing is clear: I see less grays and more warmer colors coming in.
Adding Pops of Color
Another popular trend I am seeing inside homes is white walls with “pools of color,” such as colored interior doors or accents in lighting, pillows, and artwork. If you crave more color, dark-colored interior doors, like blue, can add a modern touch while keeping the overall palette neutral.
Neutral Colors and Buyer Appeal
Neutral colors create a “blank slate,” helping buyers envision their own decor and furniture in the space. Bright, bold colors can make rooms feel smaller and evoke specific emotions, which may not appeal to all buyers. Given our culturally diverse population, it’s best to stick to neutral tones to avoid any unintended connotations.
Kids’ Rooms and Neutral Shades
When selling, I often recommend painting kids’ rooms in neutral colors. Personal color choices can send messages about gender, personality, and temperament that may not align with potential buyers' preferences. Light, neutral colors also maximize the light in smaller, darker rooms typical of older homes on the peninsula.
Maximizing Space and Value
Light equals space, and the feeling of spaciousness and flow will help your home fetch a higher price. When planning to sell your home, the guiding principle should be to cast the widest possible net to catch potential buyers–neutral colors are going to have the broadest appeal. Check out my “before” and “after” photos to see the difference that light, warm, neutral paint can make. Trends change, but warm neutrals are the current favorite among designers and paint companies alike… for now.
