The color scheme that you select for your new kitchen or bath impacts not only your enjoyment and use of two of the most important rooms in your home, but it can also affect your home’s value. We know that black and white schemes enable our customers to make distinctive design statements in their home. Red-tones turn heads and our clients who opt for green enjoy and appreciate its relaxing qualities.

We know the color schemes that can create different feels and vibes to a room. We also know colors schemes that our customers might want to avoid because they can lower the value of a home in the eyes of prospective purchasers. Of course, if our clients plan to stay in the home for the long-term, they might not care as much about the impact of color on value. We find most do. We try and steer our customers away from off-white or eggshell color schemes and our reasoning for doing so was confirmed by a recent report from Zillow Digs. Homes with kitchens painted with either shade sold for less than the estimated price. White is always safe, but may not be the best option, especially for smaller kitchens because it could make the room look dull.

Color schemes jog memories and make different impressions. One color scheme to always avoid is Pantone 448C, a drab dark brown also referred to as opaque couché. This has been deemed the world’s ugliest color, however it does have a higher purpose. A team of experts are using opaque couché to help people to quit smoking. Four years ago, a team of researchers hired by the Australian government wanted to develop a new design for all tobacco products with a twist. They wanted the design to be as unappealing and unattractive as possible to dissuade tobacco use. The research team presented options to more than a thousand smokers and determined that opaque couché was the most offensive color in the rainbow. That’s why the Australian government is using that color to print health warnings on its tobacco products. Other colors that made the final cut as most unappealing: lime green, beige, dark gray and mustard. There also was a lot of votes for dark brown, however, the researchers concluded its resemblance to chocolate made it too appealing.

Opaque couché was not initially named the winner or in this case the loser. That honor initially went to olive green. Political pressure from the Australian Olive Association caused government officials to reconsider and select dark, drab brown.

We know the color schemes to avoid. We also understand those that can create additional value. Certain shades of gray create additional value according to Zillow Digs. Homes that feature dove gray or light grey exceeded the anticipated sell price of homes. Those that had slate gray paint sold for less than the anticipated sell price.

Color not only impacts how a room feels, Zillow Digs proves that it also affects value. Let us assist you paint your blank canvas with colors that set the mood and experience you want to enjoy every day and that can also increase the value of your home when it’s time to sell. Please give us a call at 781-670-3909 or visit one of our showrooms at 14 Charles Street, Needham MA or 150-E New Boston Street, Woburn MA