Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

So, it seems likely that we will be putting our home up for sale in the very near future.

We decided the paint our living room, we wanted to anyway, but don't know what color.

I'm wondering what colors are most apprealing to buyers. I wanted to paint it a blue/gray color with the moulding a creamy white. It's not a light color but not too dark either. (we have oak hardwood floors)

Do buyers tend to prefer certain colors over others?

Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

I think neutral beiges and tans are best. It opens up the space and lets the buyers imagination take charge. Colors like blue/green/reds can be too indicative of the previous owners tastes.

Re: Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

Re: Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

Re: Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

Not white - too sterile.

Beiges and tans are always safe.

I actually think a lot of buyers like color, as long as it's soft and muted. Many greens, blues, yellows, etc. are very neutral (esp. if there is a grey undertone). So I think your blue grey choice would work as long as it's really light. I would choose the color you like on a paint strip and then go up one shade lighter to be safe. Paint always looks deeper/darker on the walls than on the strip.

We recently had a listing sell immediately and for more than asking -- the house was mildly staged (by the agent, not a professional stager). But the living room was a pale blue with white moldings, medium wood floors, and dark wood furniture. Lots of buyers had positive feedback on the room/colors.

So while you want to be somewhat universally appealing, I think colors, if done right can work. Whereas everything beige can get a bit boring.

If you do go with beige or tan, make sure you add elements of color with accessories like throw pillows, lamps, area rugs, etc.

Re: Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

Re: Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

I say use color. My coop was for sale, we have blue/ grey living room and a candy red kitchen. We got so much feedback on the paint colors and decor.

Re: Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

We haven't painted our living room since DH bought the house. The color is Home Depot Behr- Informal Ivory. (It's a soft beige). I liked it so much I figured, why change it?

Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

As a recent home buyer my opinion is to go with something neutral- you do not know the taste of the people looking at your home or what color furniture they may have...when deciding between similar properties the finishes may be the reason to put in a bid or walk. I just paid a lot of money to undo they VERY colorful choices of the previous owners- bold/bright colors require more paint to change.

Message edited 5/25/2013 3:22:27 AM.

Re: Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

Just to clarify:

I would advise people to go with bold bright colors, but I think color, if done right -- soft tones, pale shades -- can be neutral.

I just think in aiming for neutral, some people can go too far in the other direction and make the home too boring or sterile. In my experience, buyers like a home that feels inviting and has some flair and design elements (but widely appealing ones). Ultimately, they want a home they can see themselves living in, and if everything is too neutral, it can be as detrimental as being too personalized in terms of style/taste. That's one reason that vacant homes can actually be tougher to sell than occupied ones.

Re: Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?

Thanks everyone for the opinions. I think I'll go with the blue/gray color, just not too dark. The house is already neutral and looks boring. I'm hoping the color will bring out the details in the moulding and fireplace.

Re: Paint Suggestions for Living Room - what's attractive to buyers?