Painting is an essential part of successful home staging. In addition to making your home feel fresh and new, the right paint color will enhance your home’s appeal. It’s important to consider colors carefully — ideal colors ensure your space makes the best impression, while others may decrease your home’s chances with potential buyers. Choosing the ideal palette may seem daunting, but it’s worth it.
Consider hiring a pro. If your budget allows, consult a professional to help you select the perfect paint colors for your home. Home stagers and color consultants understand how the style of a home, natural light and exposure, and existing finishes work with different paint colors. A pro can save you time, effort, and money wasted on repainting.
General rules. If you decide to go it alone, follow these basic guidelines. Choose a color palette of two to three colors that are light, neutral, and compliment your home’s décor and finishes. These shades should work together and flow from room to room. Light colors reflect natural light and make spaces look larger and more open. Neutral shades like white, taupe, and gray offer wide appeal. Keep in mind that you don’t want your paint colors to clash with existing materials such as flooring, cabinetry, or countertops, so check your samples against these. It’s also a good idea to examine paint chips/samples in different lighting to avoid surprises once the paint is on your walls.
White and off-white. Whites, ivories, and creams work throughout the entire home. These classics pair well with light neutrals and bright whites on molding and trim. Whites can enhance small rooms with limited natural light. They are available with various undertones so you can choose the one that looks best in your space. Staging pros recommend Ballet White, Glacier White, and Halo (Benjamin Moore).
Taupe, tan, and beige. Warm neutrals and earth tones have enough color to be interesting, while being light enough to keep rooms feeling open. If you have white molding or other architectural details a richer shade will help them stand out. Expert picks include Poised Taupe, Tony Taupe, Kilim Beige, Accessible Beige, and Canvas Tan (Sherwin Williams), and Manchester Tan and Carrington Beige (Benjamin Moore).
Gray. Gray is a hot color in interior design right now. And it’s easy to see why. Grays come in a variety of shades that compliment virtually any wood tone or finish. Cool grays with blue or purple undertones convey a fresh, modern feel, while grays with beige or taupe undertones are warm and welcoming. Designer favorites include Crushed Ice (Sherwin Williams), and Gray Owl, Classic Gray, and Silver Fox (Benjamin Moore).
