How to Pick Paint Colors That Help You Sell

Before listing your home, you may want to consider a fresh coat of paint.

It’s an easy upgrade to make right before the sale, reasonably inexpensive, and has a significant return on investment (ROI).

According to a Zillow survey,[1] some colors can increase resale value by thousands of dollars, while others can decrease it — especially if they make the house appear too personalized.

General Tips for Picking the Right Paint

It’s easy to get into “home renovation show” mode while preparing your home for sale, but it’s essential not to get too creative with the color of your paint.

To see the best results from your new color, try the following:

• Think like a buyer, not a decorator
• Stick to neutral, modern hues
• Avoid outdated or polarizing colors

Interior designers and home remodelers, like Dotan Trabulsi of Optimal Home Remodeling & Design in San Diego, CA, often recommend neutral tones.

“Light, neutral tones such as soft greige (gray-beige), warm whites, and pale taupe tend to sell homes faster,” says Trabulsi. “These create a clean slate, help rooms feel larger, and photograph beautifully in listings.”

Your paint finish matters, too. Matte paints are ideal for walls because they hide scratches well, while eggshell or satin finishes work well to make interior trim pop.

The Best Interior Paint Colors by Room

Choosing a cohesive, neutral palette will increase buyer attraction. And selecting the right shade for each room can make the property feel move-in ready.

Here are the best color options for each room:

Living room

Research from Fixr,[2] a leading home renovation platform, indicates that soft or warm white colors are the most popular color options for living rooms in 2025. These colors create a cozy feel that makes potential buyers feel at home.

Some of the top-selling warm white tones include “Natural White” (SW 9542) from Sherwin-Williams and “Linen White” (OC-146) from Benjamin Moore.

Bathroom

Neutrals and natural earth tones are leading color options for bathrooms this year. But it’s essential not to lean too heavily on colors.

Sherwin-Williams’ expert picks for bathrooms include “Rock Candy” (SW 6231), a bright white with cool blue undertones, and “Window Pane” (SW 6210), a pastel blue-green.

Bedroom

Warm neutrals, like beiges and warm browns, make a good impression on potential buyers, according to Fixr’s 2025 report.

 Some colors you may want to consider include:

• “Manchester Tan” (HC-81), a warm beige from Benjamin Moore
• “Shiitake” (SW 9173), a warm stone gray from Sherwin-Williams

Dining room

Greige or warm grays trend well for dining rooms with buyers. These tones aren’t overpowering, allowing the room to speak for itself.

Sherwin-Williams’ best-selling paint color, “Agreeable Gray” (SW 7029), is a solid choice for sellers looking to refresh their dining rooms before listing their homes.

Home office

Home office color trends follow similar patterns as living room colors, with warm whites and neutral grays leading the way.

Popular home office colors from Benjamin Moore include “Ballet White” (OC-9), a warm and cozy off-white with yellow tones, and “Stonington Gray” (HC-170), a silvery gray with neutral undertones.

Best Exterior Paint Colors for Real Estate

Home designers highlighted earth tones, such as sage green, as the best exterior color option for 2025. However, real estate industry trends reveal something different.

Fixr research suggests that off-white is the best exterior paint color for resale, with 45% of real estate experts stating that homebuyers prefer off-white siding.

“Alabaster” (SW 7008) from Sherwin-Williams is a safe choice for sellers looking to refresh the exterior of their homes before going to market.

Front Door Color: The Most Profitable Upgrade?

Painting your entire home can attract more buyers, but research shows that your front door is often the most profitable area to focus on.

Zillow research suggests that painting your front door can raise your property value by nearly $6,500 (if you paint it black) — a whopping 3,250% ROI when you consider that professionally painting a front door costs around $200.[3]

To give your front door a profit-boosting refresh, look into “Tricorn Black” (SW 6258) from Sherwin-Williams or “Black Beauty” (2128-10) from Benjamin Moore.

Paint Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Sale

It’s best to avoid bold colors when repainting before a sale. According to real estate experts, you should steer clear of the following hues:

• Lime green
• Bold pink
• Red
• Purple
• Bold orange

Try staying away from darker colors, especially on the interior, as they can make rooms appear smaller and more crowded.

And while gray works well inside the house, you want to avoid mid-tone grays (cement gray) on your front door. Research shows that homebuyers pay thousands less for homes with gray front doors.

Before You Paint: Quick Prep Tips

If you want to go the DIY route when painting your home before a sale, it’s best to prep thoroughly before starting. Proper prep work includes:

• Washing your walls to remove any dirt
• Patching small holes in the drywall
• Priming over darker colored walls
• Masking floorboards and using drop cloths

You should also select a few paint swatches or samples before beginning.

Online renderings can provide an approximation of what the color will look like in your room, but it’s best to test it in person to see if it looks good in your house.

Final Thoughts: Should You DIY or Hire an Expert?

Painting your house yourself comes with significant benefits, such as higher profit margins and lower upfront costs.

However, hiring an expert may be a better option if you are unsure of your painting abilities or want to save time. Professionals are often more efficient and produce a better finish when painting.

If you’re on the fence about renovating before selling, it’s best to consult a trusted real estate agent. Working with a licensed realtor will help you weigh the pros and cons of repainting your home and give you a better idea of whether it’s beneficial for you.

Don’t have an agent? Clever introduces you to a handful of expert real estate agents in your area, who can share local insights on paint color and more. Take a short quiz to get started!

FAQs About Painting Before Selling