When you’re living in your home, you choose paint colors based on personal taste. Whether it’s bold hues, trendy shades, or dramatic accents, your house reflects your personality. But when it comes time to sell your home, the rules change. You’re no longer decorating for yourself—you’re preparing your house for someone else to imagine their life there. That means fresh, neutral, and inviting paint colors can make a significant difference in how quickly and for how much your home sells.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why paint matters when selling, whether you should repaint, the best paint colors to use by room, expert tips from realtors, and how a little color can go a long way toward attracting the right buyer.
Why Paint Matters When Selling Your House
The first impression of a home is crucial, and paint plays a key role in that. Potential buyers make snap judgments about your home’s condition, age, and overall feel based on visual cues—and walls are one of the first things they notice.
Neutral, modern paint colors can:
- Make rooms feel cleaner, larger, and more inviting
- Help buyers focus on the home’s features instead of its flaws
- Create a “move-in ready” vibe
- Appeal to a broader audience
In fact, research shows that freshly painted homes tend to sell faster and often at a higher price point than homes with dated, scuffed, or overly personalized color schemes.
Should You Repaint Before Selling Your Home?
Painting is one of the most cost-effective home improvements you can make before listing your property. But not everyone needs to repaint—so how do you know if it’s necessary?
Yes, you should repaint if:
- The existing paint is chipped, stained, or dirty
- Your walls feature bold or outdated colors (like bright red, lime green, or hot pink)
- You’ve lived in the home for years and it hasn’t been painted in a while
- Your paint colors are very specific to your personal style
No need to repaint if:
- Your walls are already in good condition
- The current colors are light neutrals like beige, soft gray, cream, or white
- The paint complements your trim, flooring, and decor
Before you decide, talk with a local real estate agent or design expert. A quick consultation can help you decide which rooms need touch-ups and which colors will have the broadest appeal.
Choosing the Best Paint Colors to Sell Your House
Neutral tones are ideal because they help buyers envision the space as their own. But not all neutrals are created equal. Here’s a breakdown of popular shades and expert recommendations from real estate agents at RE/MAX Shine in Wisconsin.
Realtor-Recommended Paint Colors
Popular Picks from RE/MAX Shine Agents:
- Prairie Grass – Sherwin Williams
- Whisper White – Behr
- On the Rocks – Sherwin Williams
- Mountain Gray – PPG
- 1905 Green – Magnolia
- Castle Cream – Magnolia
These colors strike the perfect balance between warm and cool tones. They complement various furniture styles and home features while creating a fresh, cohesive look.
Trusted White and Off-White Paint Colors
White can be a double-edged sword—it brightens and enlarges spaces, but the wrong white can feel sterile or dated. Here are several safe, stylish choices:
- Alabaster – Sherwin Williams
- Greek Villa – Sherwin Williams
- Swiss Coffee – Benjamin Moore
- White Dove – Benjamin Moore
- Whisper White – Behr
- Shiplap – Magnolia
- Blank Canvas – Behr (2023 Color of the Year)
These whites have warm or creamy undertones, which help avoid a cold, hospital-like effect. They also pair beautifully with both white and natural wood trim.
The Power of Neutral Paint Colors
Neutral tones—grays, greiges, and beiges—are the best choice for living areas. They make it easy for buyers to mentally place their furniture in the room and avoid the “we’ll have to paint this before moving in” mindset.
Top Neutral Paint Colors to Consider:
Sherwin Williams:
- Agreeable Gray
- Repose Gray
- On the Rocks
- Natural Linen
- Accessible Beige
Benjamin Moore:
- Revere Pewter
- Seapearl
- Gray Owl
- Fieldstone
Behr & Magnolia:
- Dove – Behr
- Antique White – Behr
- Wedding Band – Magnolia
These colors adapt well to various light levels and architectural styles and are especially effective in open floor plans.
Best Paint Colors by Room
If you want to take things a step further, you can customize color choices for each room. Here’s how to do it right:
Living Room
Living rooms are social spaces where first impressions matter. A calm, neutral backdrop makes the room feel spacious and inviting.
Recommended Shades:
- Silver Strand – Sherwin Williams
- On the Rocks – Sherwin Williams
- Silverpointe – Sherwin Williams
- Prairie Grass – Sherwin Williams
- Svelte Sage – Sherwin Williams
- Shiplap – Magnolia
- Abalone – Benjamin Moore
- Oystershell – Benjamin Moore
Kitchen
Bright, clean kitchens are a buyer magnet. Choose soft whites or greiges that make the space feel fresh and hygienic.
Top Kitchen Paint Colors:
- Alabaster – Sherwin Williams
- Pure White – Sherwin Williams
- White Dove – Benjamin Moore
- Cloud White – Benjamin Moore
- Revere Pewter – Benjamin Moore
Want to give your kitchen a splash of character without repainting every cabinet? Paint just the island.
Popular Island Colors:
- Cityscape – Sherwin Williams
- Hale Navy – Benjamin Moore
- 1905 Green – Magnolia
- Cyberspace – Sherwin Williams
- Ocean Floor – Benjamin Moore
Bathroom
Bathrooms should feel clean and serene. Lighter shades work best, especially in small or windowless bathrooms.
Best Bathroom Paint Colors:
- Jubilee – Sherwin Williams
- Sea Salt – Sherwin Williams
- Moonmist – Sherwin Williams
- Extra White – Sherwin Williams
- Slate Blue – Benjamin Moore
- Beach Glass – Benjamin Moore
- Seapearl – Benjamin Moore
- Blank Canvas – Behr
Bedroom
Bedrooms are personal retreats. Blue and green tones help create a tranquil environment, ideal for restful sleep.
Recommended Bedroom Colors:
- Oyster Bay – Sherwin Williams
- Meditative – Sherwin Williams
- Evergreen Fog – Sherwin Williams
- Acacia Haze – Sherwin Williams
- Cement Pots – Magnolia
- Gray Cloud – Benjamin Moore
- Silverado Sage – Magnolia
Paint Tips from Real Estate Experts
Realtors walk through dozens of homes each month and hear firsthand what buyers say about paint. Their top advice?
- Keep it light, clean, and neutral
- Avoid dark or saturated colors unless used strategically (like on an island or accent wall)
- Coordinate paint with flooring, cabinets, and trim
- Don’t overlook ceilings and trim—freshening them up can make a big difference
You can always ask your realtor to bring over a color deck to help with decisions. Many agents, like the team at RE/MAX Shine, are happy to do this for clients.
How to Choose and Test Paint Colors
Even the best paint color on paper may not look right in your specific lighting and decor. Here’s how to test smart:
- Use Peel-and-Stick Samples – These are easy to apply and remove
- Buy Sample Cans – Paint a large square on each wall to see it at different times of day
- Use Visualizer Tools – Brands like Sherwin-Williams and Behr offer online room visualizers
Remember: what looks creamy white on a swatch might look yellowish next to cool-toned flooring or gray trim.
Final Touches Before Listing Your Home
- Patch any holes or scratches before painting
- Don’t forget doors, baseboards, and crown molding
- Keep a consistent color theme throughout the house
- Choose a flat or eggshell finish for walls and satin or semi-gloss for trim
A clean coat of paint—even just in a few key areas—can breathe new life into your home. It’s often the simplest update with the greatest impact.
Ready to Sell? Let the Experts Help
Choosing the right paint color is just one step in the home-selling process. If you’re unsure where to begin or want help staging, marketing, and negotiating your sale, working with a knowledgeable realtor is the best move.
At RE/MAX Shine, our experienced agents know what buyers in Wisconsin are looking for. We’d love to help you get top dollar for your home with expert advice and stress-free service.
Visit us, call, or shoot us an email today—we’re here to make selling your home as smooth and successful as possible.
Good luck, and happy selling!
