Choosing a paint color is more than picking a shade you like. The right choice can make your home feel brighter, more spacious, and more inviting… and if you ever decide to sell, it can even help boost your home’s value. Whether you’re putting your house on the market next season or just dreaming about a move a few years from now, planning your paint colors with resale in mind is a smart move.
At National Van Lines, we have helped thousands of people prepare for a move, and we know firsthand how much first impressions matter. A fresh, appealing paint color can make all the difference in how a space is perceived, both in person and in photos.
In this guide, we’ll share our expert tips on the best shades to consider for the widest range of appeal. With a little color theory and some inspiration, you’ll be ready to make every room feel like a showpiece.
Why Does Paint Color Matter for the Value of My Home?
Paint sets the tone for how people experience a room, and that’s largely due to the concept of color theory. The right shade can make a space feel larger, warmer, cleaner, or more modern, while the wrong one can leave it feeling dark, cramped, or outdated. While this does play into aesthetics, it’s also about how potential buyers or future guests feel when they walk through the door.
Color impacts perception in powerful ways. Light, neutral shades often make spaces look bigger and brighter, which appeals to the widest range of people. On the other hand, carefully chosen accent colors can draw attention to architectural features or create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Fresh paint is also one of the most cost-effective updates you can make. For a relatively small investment of time and money, you can transform a room’s entire mood and give it a “ready to move in” look. According to Zillow, homes with the right paint colors get offers that are, on average, at least $3,000 higher. Even if selling is not on your radar yet, choosing versatile colors now means less work later when you do decide to put your home on the market.
Best Neutrals for Broad Appeal
Neutral colors are the safest bet for long-term value. They create a clean canvas that makes it easier for people to picture themselves living in the space, no matter their style. Neutrals also photograph well, which is important if your home ever appears in online listings.
Example Neutral Palette:
These shades work well in living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms because they are light enough to make a room feel spacious, yet warm enough to avoid feeling sterile. Pairing them with white trim can add crispness and definition, while soft beige or greige tones can help blend different design elements in open-concept spaces.
When choosing a neutral, think about your home’s natural light. Cooler grays can appear too cold in dim spaces, while warmer beiges can feel heavy in a room with strong sunlight. Testing a sample in different lighting throughout the day can help you find the perfect match.
Strategic Pops of Color
While neutrals set the stage, a pop of color can make a space truly memorable. The key is to use these colors in smaller doses so they add personality without limiting your home’s appeal later. Think accent walls, front doors, or even kitchen islands.
Example Accent Palette:
Rich navy blue adds depth and sophistication to a dining room or bedroom accent wall. Soft green-grays, like Evergreen Fog, work beautifully in bathrooms or reading nooks for a calming feel. A bold red, used sparingly on a front door or in an entryway, can create an energetic first impression and stand out in photos.
When adding color, balance is everything. Keep the surrounding walls and larger furniture pieces neutral so the pop stands out rather than competes. This approach makes it easy to repaint later if tastes or trends change.
What Are Some Common Painting Mistakes I Can Avoid?
Choosing paint for long-term appeal is as much about what not to do as it is about what to include. A few missteps can make your home feel less inviting or even shrink its perceived value.
- Going too bold everywhere – Deep or unusual colors can be stunning in the right context, but if they dominate a space, they can overwhelm potential buyers. Use bold shades as accents instead of full-room coverage.
- Ignoring lighting – A color that looks perfect under bright store lights can feel completely different in your home. Always test samples in both natural and artificial light before committing.
- Chasing every trend – Paint trends change quickly. While it is fine to incorporate current favorites, focus on timeless hues for large surfaces so your home will not feel dated in a few years.
- Mixing too many undertones – Warm and cool tones can clash if not balanced carefully. Stick to a cohesive undertone throughout your main living spaces to create flow.
Avoiding these pitfalls helps ensure your color choices work for you now and in the future, making any eventual move less stressful.
PAINT RESOURCE HUB: Want to see your full range of color options from the paint manufacturers we mentioned in this blog? Check out their paint selector tools!
From Fresh Paint to Fresh Opportunities
A fresh coat of paint has always been a simple way to refresh a home. Today, it can also be a strategic choice that shapes how people feel when they walk through the door and how they picture their life inside.
By picking versatile, crowd-pleasing colors now, you get to enjoy them in your everyday life while setting your home up for success in the future. When the time comes to list your property, those thoughtful choices can help it stand out, sell faster, and welcome its next owner with open arms.
At National Van Lines, we have spent nearly a century helping people move into homes they love. We know that the spaces people feel proud of are often the ones that shine in the market, no matter when they decide to sell— and often, a fresh coat of paint is what starts it all.
You just read our handy visual guide to picking the best paint colors for your home’s resale value. You’re probably also wondering about other ways to prepare your home for an eventual sale… like decluttering. Our dedicated article is a fantastic place to get that process started.
