Can the right paint colors increase home value? Choosing the perfect hues could be the secret to making your home more appealing and valuable. With the right shades, you can transform any space and attract potential buyers.
Why Wall Color Still Sells Houses in 2025
Wall colors continue to play a crucial role in selling homes by enhancing the overall appeal and setting the right tone for potential buyers.
First Impressions Matter: The color of your walls is often one of the first things potential buyers notice, setting the tone for the rest of the home.
Creates a Welcoming Atmosphere: Neutral and well-chosen colors can create an inviting interior that feels spacious, appealing to a wider audience.
Influences Perception of Space: Lighter tones can make rooms appear larger and brighter, while darker shades can create a cozy, intimate feel.
Enhances Marketability: Homes with fresh, modern colors tend to stand out more in listings and attract more interest from potential buyers.
Reflects Up-to-Date Trends: In 2025, color trends are more important than ever, and using the right shades can show buyers that the home is well-maintained and in line with current tastes.
Wondering what colors can increase your home’s value & fit your taste at the same time? Try our Free Interior Design Style Quiz to discover your ideal style today!
Colors That Help Increase Home Value
The right paint colors can do more than just refresh your space—they can actually increase your home’s value. Here are the best colors that can help boost your home’s value in 2025.
1. The Real Neutrals That Move Houses
Forget the idea that neutrals are bland or lack personality. The best neutrals have warmth, softness, and depth, with colors ranging from cool to warm tones. Think of warm greige, soft clay, or muted mushroom—these shades blend natural daylight with artificial lighting, creating a seamless, inviting atmosphere.
In cooler climates or shaded spaces, warm neutrals can make rooms feel more spacious by softening the transition between walls and ceilings. In sunnier, hotter regions, neutrals with hints of green or stone can prevent the yellowing effect that pure white often suffers from under intense sunlight, ultimately boosting your home’s value.
Top Neutral Paint Colors to Consider:
Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray (SW 7029): A warm, versatile gray with a soft undertone that creates a cozy yet modern feel in any room.
Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (HC-173): A light taupe with warm undertones, offering a neutral, inviting atmosphere that works well with various design styles.
Behr Swiss Coffee (12): A soft, off-white color with a touch of warmth, perfect for brightening up spaces while maintaining a classic, timeless look.
2. Whites That Work Instead of Wrecking the Space
White is not the safest choice unless you respect its demands. True white—with no tint or undertone—needs near-perfect surfaces, generous windows, and consistent lighting to avoid looking clinical. Off-whites with subtle warmth or muted gray bases handle uneven walls and mixed light much better. They soften flaws instead of highlighting them, so if you’re looking to improve home value with paint, stick to the shadier side of the spectrum.
Top White Paint Colors to Consider:
Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117): A clean, crisp white with just a hint of warmth, perfect for brightening up a room without feeling too stark or cold.
Behr Ultra Pure White (1850): A bright, pure white that offers a fresh, modern look, ideal for spaces where a clean, timeless backdrop is needed.
Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008): A warm, creamy white that adds softness and warmth to any room, making it a popular choice for creating inviting, cozy spaces.
3. Soft Greens and Blues That Speak
Color works when it builds a backdrop for imagination. Soft green and muted blue shades suggest calm, nature, and air movement, which all have their appeal. Carefully chosen shades from this range raise home value by helping buyers imagine a peaceful, workable life inside the space. Muted sage greens and dusty sea-glass blues also cleanly bridge between hard materials and ease transitions between daylight and artificial lighting, making rooms feel more restful.
Top Soft Green and Blue Paint Colors to Consider:
Farrow & Ball Mizzle: A soft, muted sage with a touch of gray, creating a serene and calming atmosphere that works beautifully in both modern and traditional spaces.
Behr Sagebrush (PPG1145-4): A light, earthy green with subtle gray undertones, perfect for adding a natural, peaceful vibe to any room.
Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt (SW 6204): A soft blue-green that offers a relaxing, coastal feel, ideal for creating tranquil spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms.
Unexpected Paint Colors That Still Increase Home Value
Subtle risk can pay off. Neutral walls sell faster because they play it safe and cater to the masses. But not every buyer wants to live in a blank space. Used with discipline, strong colors can widen appeal instead of narrowing it.
4. Ochres and Pale Yellows
Yellow works when it bends toward earth much better than when it shouts. Muted ochres and buttercreams pull warmth into small entryways, shaded kitchens, and sunrooms that need help balancing cold light. Buyers register warmth at the edge of their attention, especially when walls blend into the light. These tones layer naturally against wood floors, stone countertops, and aged brass without making the room feel artificially sunny.
Top Ochre and Pale Yellow Paint Colors to Consider:
Sherwin-Williams Golden Ochre (SW 6396): A warm, earthy yellow with golden undertones, this shade brings a rich, inviting glow to any space, perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere.
Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow (HC-4): A soft, pale yellow with a touch of warmth, offering a timeless and cheerful tone that’s ideal for kitchens or living rooms.
Farrow & Ball Dayroom Yellow (No. 233): A delicate, pale ochre with a hint of warmth, this color adds a soft, welcoming feel to interiors, creating a calm, sunny vibe.
5. Terracotta and Soft Rust Tones
Deep clay tones settle a room’s energy immediately. Muted terracotta walls can create weight behind dining tables, fireplaces, or built-in seating. These earthy shades work best where natural materials—wood beams, tile floors, stone hearths—already set the tone. Used carefully, terracotta becomes one of the few bold colors that increase home value by building emotional credibility into a space.
Top Terracotta and Soft Rust Paint Colors to Consider:
Behr Canyon Ridge (S200-5): A rich terracotta with warm, earthy undertones. This color adds depth and warmth to any room, perfect for creating a grounded, inviting space.
Sherwin-Williams Spicy Hue (SW 7581): A soft rust with a hint of orange, this color brings warmth and vibrancy to interiors, making it ideal for accent walls or cozy spaces.
Valspar Caliente Copper (3001-9C): A deep, muted terracotta that evokes a natural, rustic feel. This tone works beautifully in kitchens or living rooms to create a comfortable, stylish atmosphere.
6. Dusty Plums and Muted Mauves
Muted plum colors shift a room’s mood without forcing a heavy narrative. Powder rooms, reading corners, and formal dining rooms take to these shades easily, especially when daylight is limited. A dusty mauve paired with off-white trim holds attention quietly, letting buyers register richness without feeling trapped by a specific style. Meanwhile, purple, when buried deep enough in gray or brown, stops being “purple” and starts acting as a deeper neutral.
Top Dusty Plum and Muted Mauve Paint Colors to Consider:
Benjamin Moore Mystic Mauve (2075-50): A soft, dusty plum with a subtle gray undertone, this color creates a calm and sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for bedrooms or living rooms.
Farrow & Ball Brassica (No. 271): A muted mauve with warm, earthy undertones, this shade adds a touch of elegance and warmth to any space, ideal for creating a cozy, inviting feel.
Behr Smoked Plum (S580-5): A deep, dusty plum with a hint of brown, this color brings a sense of richness and depth, making it perfect for accent walls or statement furniture pieces.
7. Deep Olives and Smoky Greens
A smoky, grayed green brings the room down to a slower, steadier rhythm. Deep olive tones work in libraries, studies, or on walls behind a bed where buyers instinctively expect quiet and permanence. These greens build dignity into spaces that might otherwise feel generic, particularly in homes with transitional or Craftsman influences. Good smoky greens don’t feel trendy or thematic—they underline the architecture.
Top Deep Olive and Smoky Green Paint Colors to Consider:
Sherwin-Williams Olive Grove (SW 7730): A deep olive with golden undertones, this color creates a rich, earthy feel that’s perfect for adding warmth and sophistication to any space.
Behr Smoky Green (PPU10-19): A soft, smoky green with a hint of gray, this color adds a serene, subtle vibe to rooms, making it perfect for creating a calming and elegant atmosphere.
Benjamin Moore Salamander (CS-142): A deep, dark olive green, this bold color evokes a sense of nature and tranquility, ideal for creating an intimate, cozy space or as a statement wall.
How to Increase Home Value with Paint FAQs
1. What paint colors increase home value the most?
Neutral colors such as soft grays, off-whites, beige, and light taupes are the best choices for increasing home value. These shades appeal to a wide range of buyers and make spaces feel larger and more inviting.
2. Should I use bold colors to stand out when selling?
While bold colors may reflect your personal style, they can limit the appeal to potential buyers. It’s best to stick with soft, neutral tones to ensure your home feels universally welcoming.
3. Can painting my front door increase my home value?
Yes! A freshly painted front door in a rich, welcoming color like navy blue, deep red, or charcoal can make a great first impression and increase curb appeal, which can positively impact your home’s value.
4. How do I choose the best color for each room?
For living rooms and bedrooms, go for soft neutrals like light gray, beige, or warm white. Kitchens and bathrooms benefit from fresh, clean colors like soft whites or pale blues. Avoid using dark colors in small rooms, as they can make the space feel cramped.
5. Is it worth repainting my home before selling?
Yes, repainting is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the overall appeal of your home. A fresh coat of neutral paint can make your home look well-maintained and move-in ready, potentially increasing its value.
Need help choosing paint colors that increase home value?
Work with a professional designer to maximize your home’s worth. Book your Free Online Interior Design Consultation to get started today!
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