If you’re wanting to sell and you’re considering a repaint, do it!
The right colour and a new coat of paint can increase the value of your home more than you may think.
At Pro Painting Works, they’ve seen firsthand how colour choices can make or break a property sale and honestly most perth homeowners get it completely wrong.
Painting your home isn’t just about giving it a new coat of paint and making it look nice, you also have to consider that it has to look nice to the widest range of people. And in Perth’s competitive property market every advantage counts, that’s for sure.
The most popular paint colours aren’t always the ones that add the most value. Those trendy Instagram worthy feature walls look great in your photos but they can turn buyers away when you’re trying to sell.
The psychology behind paint colours and property values
When buyers first walk through your home they already start to make emotional decisions about your home. The wrong paint colour can trigger an immediate negative response that’s hard to overcome even if everything else about the property is perfect.
Neutral colours work because they allow buyers to imagine there own belongings in the space. Bold colours, even beautiful ones can make rooms feel smaller and sometimes make buyers start to think about repainting costs before even putting in an offer.
Expert real estate agents will sometimes let you in on a little secret, that sometimes house that are needing obvious work done including repainting sell for 5-10% less than move in ready properties. That’s a significant amount just because of colours.
Whites and off-whites: still the safe bet
Lets start with white paint. Its boring. Its predictable. But it works. It’s a blank canvas which allows buyer to imagine their furniture and start to imagine their life in your space.
Antique White, Natural White, and Half Spanish White are still the most requested colours for house painting in Perth and there’s good reason for that.
White paint also makes rooms look larger and brighter. This detail is especially helpful if you’re working with smaller or older spaces.
It also photographs beautifully, which nowadays is everything. Most homebuyers do their first round of shopping online these days. They scroll through real estate websites and apps looking at houses they like, if yours doesn’t photograph well then chances are lot of potential buyers will scroll right by.
Greys: the new neutral
Grey is increasingly more popular with modern builds. Its sophisciated and classic without being too plain. It works with both contemporary and traditional furnishings and doesn’t show dirt as easily as white.
Dulux Lexicon Quarter is probably the most popular grey in Perth right now it’s warm enough to feel inviting but neutral enough to work with any decorating style.
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta is another safe choice that’s been popular with buyers for years. Much better than the cheap stuff form Bunnings.
The mistake I see constantly is people choosing greys that are too dark or have strong blue or green undertones. These can make rooms feel cold and unwelcoming, which is exactly what you don’t want when trying to sell.
Beiges and warm neutrals: underrated but effective
Like post things, the pendulum swings and so nowadays most people hate beige! It was cool for a while but its out again!
But the truth is, its still a classic safe colour. Truth be told, beige sells. They’re comfortable, timeless, and work with the warm Perth climate. At least the good ones do.
The key is avoiding the yellowy beiges that were popular in the 90s those do look dated now. Instead look for beiges with grey or taupe undertones that feel more contemporary.
Dulux Natural White, which is actually more of a very pale beige, has been a consistent performer in the Perth market. It’s warm enough to feel welcoming but light enough to make rooms feel spacious.
Some of the newer warm greys are actually beige-greys that give you the best of both worlds. They have the sophistication of grey but the warmth that makes houses feel like homes. It’s weird but true.
But be careful with beige in kitchens and bathrooms – it can look dingy in spaces that need to feel clean and fresh. White or very light grey usually works better in these areas, hopefully.
Feature walls: proceed with caution
Feature walls can be a grey area when trying to sell. As they can be personal taste. Some people may love what you’ve done and it may turn others completely off.
They can add character and a visually pleasing element to your home that pulls buyers in but can also push some away if not done right. Done wrong, they can make buyers think about repainting costs before they’ve even considered the property seriously.
The biggest mistake is making feature walls too bold or using colours that clash with the neutral walls. Remember, you’re trying to appeal to the broadest possible range of buyers, not showcase your personal taste. These days buyers are pretty conservative.
Colours to avoid if you’re selling
Let’s talk about colours that can actually hurt your sale prospects. Personal favourite colours like bright yellow, hot pink, or deep purple might make you happy, but they’ll make buyers think about repainting costs.
Dark colours in small rooms are almost always a mistake – they make spaces feel cramped and can be depressing rather than cosy. This is particularly relevant in older Perth homes that might already have lighting challenges.
Dated colour combinations are another trap. Colours that were trendy five or ten years ago can make your house feel like it needs updating, even if the actual painting is recent. At the end of the day, that’s just how buyers think.
Colors with strong undertones can also be problematic. Greens that look muddy, blues that feel cold, or pinks that look childish can turn buyers off immediately.
Paint colours and property value
The overall goal for your home should be making it look fresh clean and move in ready. Without making buyers already thinking about repainting or renovation costs before they’ve even signed the contract. You want to enhance your property not diminish it.