Last Updated on April 10, 2025
Today’s buyers are searching for move-in-ready homes with fresh, neutral paint colors throughout. Thinking about selling soon? Find out which paint colors appeal to most buyers when you read about trending paint colors that maximize home value.
Exterior paint color trends
If your exterior needs some TLC, consider updating the look of your home with a fresh coat of paint. Exterior improvements tend to pay for themselves when you go to sell, so if your home desperately needs some attention, don’t underestimate the power of paint.
If you’ve driven through neighborhoods that are undergoing a transition, you shouldn’t be surprised when we tell you that soft white colors are the most popular tones for exteriors right now. Colors with a bit more body to them, like Sherwin Williams’ Oyster White or Benjamin Moore’s Ballet White, cast an appealing off-white glow.
Beyond soft whites, buyers can create curb appeal that appeals to the masses by transforming darker facades with updated warm neutrals. Colors like Revere Pewter, Accessible Beige, and Heron Plume are great options for those seeking to update their exterior.
While it’s best to stick to neutrals when you’re selling your home, picking a paint color with some personality for your front door creates the curb appeal factor buyers crave. Sample dark teals, punchy reds, deep navys, or even pretty plums to create a welcoming first impression.
Interior paint colors that appeal to buyers
Pale neutral colors are what most buyers are seeking these days. Let paint do a lot of the heavy lifting in a dated kitchen by choosing a soft neutral to replace dated cabinets while still working well with existing countertops.
Focus on selecting neutral paint colors that relate well to your home’s fixed elements, rather than going with the it neutral of the moment.
For example, homes with kitchens featuring baltic brown granite should opt for a pale beige color, rather than a cool gray to freshen up the space and make it more appealing.
Keep main living spaces and hallways neutral, light, and classic. Sample colors like Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan and Edgecomb Gray or Sherwin Williams Shoji White or Agreeable Gray.
In bathrooms, most buyers want the feeling of a spa-like environment. Think pale blue-greens like Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue or Sherwin Williams Glimmer. Pale neutrals like Benjamin Moore Ballet White and Sherwin Williams White Duck are also good options.
Colors to stay away from
Most buyers are turned off by vibrant colors. If you have a room or rooms in your home that have bright colors like red, orange, lime green, etc., consider repainting in neutral tones. Even warm yellows can be a breaking point for some buyers. Instead of yellow, opt for a beige with a soft yellow undertone for a much more toned-down look.
Remember, when you’re selling your home, it’s less about your personal preferences and more about what would appeal to the masses.
Keep reading: How to stage your garage to increase your home’s value
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Allen Tate is the Carolinas’ largest real estate company with more than 70 offices and 1,800 Realtors in the Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, High Country, Upstate SC, Highlands/Cashiers and Asheville/Mountain regions. Allen Tate is a partner of Howard Hanna Real Estate, the largest privately held real estate broker in the U.S., with 480 real estate, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices and 15,000 sales associates and staff across 13 states. For more information, visit www.allentate.com and www.howardhanna.com.
