Living in Colorado

Why your yellow home is selling for less than it should

A fresh coat of paint is by far the easiest and cheapest way to completely transform the look of a space—and these days, there are just so many shades to choose from that you’re bound to find the perfect one for you, from subtle whites to bright reds. Turns out, our paint obsession is merited: According to Zillow’s 2018 Color Report, the hues you choose to decorate your home with can not only impact its selling price... and the rules vary from room to room. 

Zillow looked at over 135,000 photos from sold houses across the country to see how certain paint colors impacted their average final price when compared to similar homes with white walls.

Whereas the other features that increase the sales price of a home can be a pain to install, both logistically and financially, adding a fresh coat of paint is less of a big lift. "For a seller, painting a front door is one the least expensive home prep projects, but also one that can have a powerful impact on a home's sale price," said Kerrie Kelly, Zillow home design expert.

Ahead, check out the somewhat surprising paint colors that can entirely change the cost of your home.

Bathroom

It turns out, peaceful colors rule when it comes to the bathroom, with pale blue rooms selling for about $2,786 more on average. Defined as having a pale, greyish tint, it’s assumed the color provides a calming effect on the mind, which is just what you need when you’re relaxing in the bath or applying your nightly creams and potions.

Dining Room

For the dining room, color doesn’t seem to make all that much of a difference… unless that color is brown. It was found that, on average, homes painted what is defined as “brown with yellow undertones; I.E, oat to medium sandy brown” sold for $1,684 less than average. The reason? Zillow seems to think that homes with neutral colors simply have wider appeal for minimalists and maximalists alike, “and may be a signal that the home is well cared for or has other desirable features.”

More wood-like colors and undertones are also a little limiting, as they might deter future homeowners from mixing in modern furniture, jeweled tones, or even more hardwood—whereas lighter colors, on the other hand, generally serve as a blank canvas for more experimental design choices.

For the full story and to see what colors sell best in the living room and on the exterior and front door, visit Domino