Articles

Best Color to Paint a Home for Resale

In the past 5 years the Exterior and Interior colour trends have not changed much. Look around at any of the new developments or house improvements in your area and you will start to get an idea ofwhat the trend is. If you are in the marketnow or the next few years the colour trend will stay the same.

By 'trend'I don't mean trendy as 'heretoday, gone tomorrow' I mean trendy in the sense of being 'most popular' at this time period. This too will change but not for a few years yet.

Exterior and Interior Resale Paint Colour Trend

Neutrals - Grey Tones - Mat Finish (semi-gloss fordoors and trim)

I highly recommend that you check out these websites and take a look at some great choices on the web:

• www.benjaminmoore.com
• www.behr.com
• www.prattandlambert.com
• www.parapaints.com
• www.generalpaints.com

They have some very fun and interactive choices for you to see what their colours will look like on the exterior or interior of your house.

NB These colours will not be exact but will give you a very good idea of what your home could look like in neutral, softer, less stressful colours.Remember though since 'your home is for living in and your house for selling' do not get too attached to the colours. Keeping them neutral will appeal to more buyers and you can add colour by useful tasetful and colourful accessories such as art, cushions, area rugs, pottery, throws, etc.

My favourite store to work with is Benjamin Moore because as an Interior Decorator/Redesign Stager they provide me with a very professional 'architectural kit' which has large colour samples to work with. However, you can buy or they will lend you their Designer Classics Collection and this is primarily what I use for choosing redesign staging paint colours. As mentioned in a previous newsletter I alwayscoordinatewith the flooring as that is what is staying. You can add colour with your accessories.

My standard selection from the Designer Classics Collection is:

BEIGE -Yellow Undertones(toned which means they all have grey added to them)

• Brandy Cream CC 60
• Natural Linen CC 90
• Muslin CC110
• Barely Beige CC 140
• Stone House CC 120
• Sandy Brown CC 150
• Honey Harbour CC170
• Summer Harvest CC 190
• Delaware Putty CC 230
• French Vanilla CC 248

BEIGE - Pink Undertones

• Dusty Road CC 310
• Sandpiper Beige CC 368
• Stone Castle CC 396
• Old Montreal CC398
• Old Stone CC424
• Bone China CC 426
• Smoky Taup CC 490
• Rocky Road CC 470

GREENS

• Maid of the Mist CC 728
• Killarney CC 698
• Tea Light CC 610
• October Mist CC 550

TRIM

• Cloud White CC 40 (this is the only one I use!)

TIP You can buy testers and do your own colour boards. Many of the Benjamin Moore stores now carry pre-made Designer Classic colour boards 18 x 18" which are the perfect size to see what the colour looks like. Always check the colour morning, noon and night time to get the whole colour picture as colour is most affected by lighting.

I have many clients who in the beginning do not like the neutral colours that I have chosen (Barely Beige CC 140). However there isno denying that the end result is what helped sell the house!

Article Re-print Permission: You may use this article for your own web site, blog or printed material. Please be sure to include the "About the Author" resource box in all uses of this article.