These Paint Colors Make Your Home Look More Expensive

A fresh coat of paint is one of the cheapest ways to make your home feel like it belongs in a design magazine. But not all colours are created equal. Some shades scream “custom build,” while others whisper “rental refresh.”

The colour you choose can also significantly impact your home’s value, so if you are thinking, “How much is my house worth?,” then break out the brave colours, get a valuation, and prepare to be surprised.

1. Charcoal Grey – The Power Suit of Paint

Charcoal grey is bold and effortlessly upscale. That may be because it’s a favourite finishing touch for boutique hotels and hasn’t been overdone on the home front. It adds drama without being overbearing, especially when paired with warm metals or natural textures. One study found that a dark grey kitchen can increase a home’s value by as much as £2000.

2. Greige – The Neutral That Knows No Bounds

A blend of grey and beige, greige is the chameleon of paint colours. It provides a calm, layered backdrop that complements everything from rustic wood to sleek stone. It’s understated and can be the foundation of a high-end look on a budget.

Samsung recently commissioned a study that showed light grey is actually the best colour for selling your home, but the additional touch of beige keeps the neutral tone while softening the effect. It’s a safe bet for selling your house, and is also a look you can live with.

3. Black – A Bold Move

Black walls only work for rebellious teenagers, but a black front door can have an astounding effect on your house price. The American study revealed that simply painting the front door can give your home a regal kerb appeal and boost the price by more than £5000, but it will narrow the buyer pool.

When it comes to the interior walls, don’t go with black. It’s all too easy to overpower the room and make a negative impression when Charcoal Grey would have given the premium look you want.

4. Hunter Green – The Colour of Money

Deep, classic, and always rich-looking, hunter green is a designer favourite that’s in vogue right now. It’s a great choice for living rooms or bedrooms and goes well with pink accents if you really want to make an impression.

Green taps into the human psyche. In the early days of man, it generally meant water was nearby, and the ground was lush and fertile. Now, it has a series of other connotations, and the connection with cold, hard cash is equally hard-wired.

The experts generally agree that while a darker green can work wonders, you should avoid lighter, citrusy greens.

5. Pale Pink – The Unexpected Neutral

Muted shades like dusty rose or millennial pink offer a sophisticated, neutral-like warmth ideal for bedrooms and powder rooms. They soften the space while adding a whisper of personality, acting almost like a neutral but still bringing a luxurious feel.

Be very careful with the tone you choose and how it interacts with space and light, though. Bright pink has consistently featured in the biggest turn-off list for would-be buyers and could do you more harm than good.

Pro Tips for the Luxury Look

When you’re pushing the boundaries, then it’s easy to trip up, go too far and detract from your home’s value. So, before you take the plunge, consider these basic rules:

1. Go For Matte Or Satin Finishes

These colours are bold enough. A gloss finish can cross the line into tacky and gaudy territory.

2. Try Before You Cry

Bold colours won’t work for every room in every home, so try a small area and see if the image in your head matches the reality before you commit to a gaudy colour you will have to paint over the next weekend.

3. Layer With Quality Fixtures And Furnishings

The paint can’t do all the work, and you may need to update your fixtures and even your furniture to match the new look. That can be worth the effort, or it can turn the whole project into a money pit that you can avoid with a more neutral tone.