What House Color Sells Best? We Asked Paint and Real-Estate Experts
If you're planning to give your house a facelift before selling it, you're probably wondering: What house color sells best? We polled paint companies, along with real-estate and industry pros, to discover which exterior paint colors help homes sell faster.
Before you consider swatches, keep this painting pointer in mind: There's no need to go crazy with color, especially when you're trying to appeal to as many buyers as possible. Valspar's Sue Kim advises keeping your paint color combination to around three colors. For example, "try a clean white for the siding like Valspar's Swiss Coffee, Dark Kettle Black on details, and Heirloom Red on the front door for a traditionally classic scheme that won't go out of style," she says. Read on for the expert-approved exterior paint colors that could help land a "Sold" sign in your yard ASAP.
Best Neutral Exterior Paint Colors
Color preferences are personal and highly subjective, so when you're selling, it's smart to choose a hue that will appeal to as many people as possible. Often, that means choosing a neutral—like one of these popular picks:
Behr Painter's White
Behr color expert Erika Woelfel recommends focusing on earth tones, neutrals, and mid-tones. Out of all of Behr's exterior paint colors, why pick Painter's White? "[It] calls attention to the outside of your home and plays well with almost any color," Woelfel explains.
Benjamin Moore Simply White
In addition to Simply White, many of the expert color suggestions come from Benjamin Moore's historical collection, which has become a go-to resource for exterior colors. Highlights include Coventry Gray, Van Courtland Blue, Alexandria Beige, and Putnam Ivory.
Dutch Boy Paint Shorebird
"Let a neutral shade be the hero color of the exterior, like Shorebird," suggests Ashley Banbury, senior color designer for Dutch Boy Paint. As a darker, sandy neutral, this paint color pairs beautifully with crisp white trim for a clean, classic look.
KILZ Antique White
KILZ representatives named Antique White, Barely Mocha and Porpoise Gray as their exterior favorites. These colors all vary according to the time of day and level of light, making them dynamic yet understated choices for outside walls.
Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige
Interior designer and Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate agent Sheree Douglas Brock points out that color preferences vary throughout the country, yet she always supports universal neutrals like Sherwin-Williams' Accessible Beige and Benjamin Moore's Simply White (profiled above).
Ashley Banbury, who also acts as the senior color designer for HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, points to airy shades, such as blue, gray, and beige, to appeal to a broad swath of homebuyers. In her experience, Sherwin-Williams' Krypton, Repose Gray, and Maison Blanche are also among the most popular neutral shades.
Valspar Warm Putty
Sue Kim, color marketing manager for Valspar Paint, says a cozy neutral like Valspar's Warm Putty is "inviting and homey."
Best Paint Colors for Architectural Features
Don't overlook your home's architectural details when selecting the perfect exterior color scheme. "You should use materials, such as brick or stone on the exterior, to inspire the color palette," suggests Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore's director of color marketing and development. And just because you have a stone or brick facade doesn't mean you can't add visual oomph via soffits or trim. KILZ color expert Rob Hellander advises homeowners to "complement preexisting features, such as the roof, stoneware, or brick, while keeping the home's surroundings and landscaping in mind—including how much light it receives and its relation to the sun."
You might be tempted to throw in an unexpected trim color if you've used conservative shades elsewhere. But be careful: "Bold shades of pink, yellow, or orange can feel overwhelming and clash with the natural landscaping of the home," Kim warns. Let your home's lovely fixed details like wrought iron and paneled windows steal the spotlight instead.
Brie Williams
Best Paint Colors for Front Doors
Your front door is where you can have some fun with color. "Navy blue is said to be one of the most favorable colors on the front door," says Banbury, who recommends Dutch Boy's eye-catching Deep Sky to greet guests. KILZ's Summer Chartreuse is another vibrant hue that can lighten up your entryway.
Related: How to Paint a Front Door
If you have shutters, consider painting them the same shade as the front door. "It's a thoughtful way of accenting charming elements on the exterior that tie it all together," Kim says. Looking to make a stronger statement? One of Behr's previous Color of the Year picks, Back to Nature, is a stunning meadow-inspired green that will add visual interest to shutters (or any other front entry accents).
