When you’re painting a house to live in, you should always choose what you like best. When painting a house in preparation for a sale, it may pay to be strategic. People in marketing and real estate have long been touting the value of color psychology— the idea that colors can make people feel and act a certain way.
Last week, Zillow Research put the idea of color psychology to practical use, examining whether painting rooms certain colors could influence a house’s selling price.
Zillow researchers evaluated over 135,000 photos of houses sold between January 2010 and May 2018 in the United States. Taking information like room type, size, and age of the home into account, they compared the selling prices of rooms painted certain colors to similar houses with the rooms painted in white.
Here’s what they discovered.
PLEASE NOTE: From what I can deduce, these dollar amounts assume a home valued at roughly $207,000, which is less than the national median ($215,600). For houses worth more than $207,000, the increase seen from painting could be more substantial.
Kitchens With Black-And-White Tuxedo Decor Sell For $1,500 More Than Expected
The sleek and modern tuxedo look is particularly popular in real estate right now. This style, with dark cabinets and islands against white wall colors, can make a difference of $1,547 when it comes to selling your home. Interestingly, while many realtors recommend a shade of red for the kitchen, Zillow researchers found that a brick (or barn) red kitchen could actually reduce the price of a home by $2,310.
A Pinkish Taupe Living Room Can Boost Your Home’s Sales Price By $2,500
Pinkish taupe, a warm tan with pink undertones, is said to boost a home’s selling price by roughly 1.3%. This equates to about $2,500 assuming a house valued at $207,000. “Taupe is considered to be timeless, neutral, practical, basic, authentic, organic and modest,” ColorPsychology.org explains. Because it’s not a trendy color, “it will never go out of style.
A Periwinkle Blue Bathroom Can Increase The Price Your House By Roughly $2,000
Last year, Forbes reported that periwinkle bathrooms sold for $5,000 more than expected. This year, periwinkle still rules supreme in the realm of restrooms, but the difference is much less extreme. While blue is generally relaxing, blues with tinges of purple (like periwinkle), reportedly give the feeling of warmth, trendiness, and energy.
A Black Front Door Can Increase The Price Of Your Home By A Whopping $6,000
Zillow found that, on average, houses that had doors painted black or charcoal grey sold for as much as $6,271 higher (2.9%) than those painted white. In a news released (obtained via Time), Zillow design expert Kerrie Kelly said: “For a seller, painting a front door is one of the least expensive home projects, but also one that can have a powerful impact on a home’s sale price.”
“While cool, neutral wall colors like tan and light blues are still popular, we’re seeing a notable shift in home design where pops of color— particularly in darker hues of blue and gray to even black— are becoming increasingly popular.”
According to Realtor.com, black is a traditional color that connotes seriousness; however, adding a shiny veneer can give also give the home the illusion of glamour, safety, and protection.
Although Zillow’s research was conducted on a national level, they did notice a few regional trends:
- In Dallas-Fort Worth, a khaki bedroom can increase the price of a house by 9.6%
- In San Francisco, a burnt orange living room can increase the price of a house by 5.2%
- In Tampa, a greige dining room can increase the price of a house by 11.8%
- In Portland, a blue kitchen can increase the price of a home by 6.8%
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