Sprucing up a tired-looking room is a great way to attract prospective buyers, but did you know that certain paint colours could negatively affect the value of your home?
While pops of colour inject personality and create the illusion of brighter spaces, research conducted by PriceYourJob.co.uk found that choosing 'trendy colours' such as bold black and citrus green will eventually fall out of fashion and cost you more to alter.
Selling your house? You're going to want to take a look at the colours to avoid...
1. Dark brown
Darker paints can create a rich and indulgent feel, but their study found that brown can clash with wooden furniture and make a space feel uninviting. If you do want to add earthy brown tones to your home, softer shades of brown are a good alternative when paired with muted colours of grey.
2. Citrus green
Citrus green paint is sure to bring a space to life, but is it what house hunters want to see? "Bright shades of green can almost resemble neon," Zoe Warren, interior design expert at PriceYourJob.co.uk, says. "Whilst they stand out, it can be unappealing to others and are more likely to clash with your furniture. Instead, give the illusion of a light and bright space by opting for soft sage on a feature wall, ideally one you see when you first enter the room."
3. Bright yellow
While yellow can make a room feel so much more sunny and bright, shades of bold yellow can be overwhelming in the home.
"Commonly used in nurseries, where you may want to opt for an ochre feature wall surrounded by white walls," adds Zoe. "This will provide a toned-down version of the cheerful palette."
4. Bold black
Black is a daring, dramatic interior design decision. While it can elevate a wall in an instant, there's one place you should avoid painting black if you want to attract buyers: the front door.
"Black makes a dramatic statement no matter where in the house it is," says Zoe. "A common area that people paint black is the exterior. This can make your front door seem uninviting to others. If you want a bold look for the exterior, consider a medium to dark grey with a white trim. You can then incorporate black in small accents such as the shutters, for the desired dramatic effect."
5. Nature green
Whether it's a squeeze of lime or a splash of sage-hued paint, various shades of green can help to create a soothing look in the room — but avoid going too dark as it could put buyers off.
"If you are thinking about selling your house in the future, you should choose an exterior colour that mixes in with the rest of your neighbourhood. When choosing a colour, avoid ones that blend in with the surrounding foliage as it can look unappealing," adds Zoe.
"Also, avoid darker shades of green as they could make it difficult for potential buyers to notice your home. You should instead incorporate deeper greens through porch accents and living things. Plants can accentuate the lighter shades on your walls."
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