We all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While some people believe there’s no more fabulous color in the spectrum than blue, others argue it’s all about red…or green…and so on. We all have our own unique tastes and preferences, so is there really such a thing as the ‘best’ color to paint your home?
The short answer – it depends on the reason you’re painting your home.
For example, if you’re thinking of adding a new exterior coat of paint simply for your own enjoyment, it’s entirely up to you. Feel free to choose the most garish neon color money can buy and think nothing of it. Just as long as you’re happy, to hell with everyone else!
By contrast, if you’re more interested in enhancing your home’s curb appeal and value, you may need to be a little more strategic. In fact, you may need to consider colors you wouldn’t normally be interested in.
But to what extent can a quality exterior paint job affect the value of your home? Is there any truth in the theory that the right color of paint applied professionally can significantly increase your home’s market value?
The Benefits of an Exterior Paint Job
Ask any real estate agent and they’ll tell you the same…it’s a quick and easy yes. Not only this, but it’s a relatively quick and easy way to increase the value of your property, without resorting to extremes. Specifically, it’s estimated that a fresh coat of paint can enhance the value of a residential property by anything from 2% of 5%.
Of course, this isn’t necessarily surprising. After all, a home with cracked, peeling, faded and generally sorry-looking paint isn’t nearly as appealing as its freshly painted counterparts. The more uninspiring the exterior paintwork, the more you begin to expect an equally uninspiring and downtrodden interior.
In terms of the color (or combination of colors) itself, there’s no specific color that works better than any other. If someone tells you a light blue exterior adds more value than a medium grey exterior, feel free to correct them.
This is because it’s all circumstantial, varying enormously from one property and location to the next. In many instances, it’s not quite as simple as considering the type of property and your own personal preferences. You also need to consider the surroundings, along with the rest of the buildings in the immediate vicinity. Most people don’t want to buy a house that sticks out like a sore thumb, or is likely to be an upsetting eyesore for its neighbors.
In addition, most buyers are more interested in timeless colors and color combinations, rather than those that follow passing fads. Depending on the type of property and its location, there will be certain colors that have remained on trend and elegant for generations and will continue to do so. Going for something lavish and bolder is all well and good, but you need to think about the longevity of its appeal.
Focus on Features
It’s worth remembering that when you intend to sell your property, it really doesn’t matter what you like and don’t like. Your priority should be to appeal to prospective buyers, which typically means selecting neutral tones with the widest appeal. There’s also some psychology to choosing neutral tones, which presents something of a blank canvas upon which the prospective buyer can picture their ideal color scheme.
The more personalized the property appears by your own efforts, the less likely it is to appeal to the masses.
That said, it’s not to say that you cannot make the effort to ensure your property stands out from the crowd. Irrespective of how toned-down the wider color scheme may be, you can always compliment it by adding a burst of color here and there. Window frames, shutters, railings and similar fixtures are great for breaking things up with contrasting colors.
Erring on the side of caution is wise, but doesn’t mean there isn’t room for exploration and experimentation. If in any way unsure, contact the experts and request an independent consultation to clarify the options available.
Here at Homm CPS, we’d be delighted to provide an obligation-free color consultation to help you make the best possible decision to maximize your home’s value. Call today to speak with one of our experts!