White, on the other hand, although great for some spaces, can make a room invisible. It can be a missed opportunity to create a feeling in a room, and it can make it hard for some buyers to imagine themselves there.
So what color can lift a buyer's spirits? The most potent color is green.
But before you start splashing green on all your walls, take caution. Not all shades of green are a safe bet. For example, lime greens—or any yellows with green undertones—look sickly to most buyers. Medium shades of green such as sage can be a good choice.
4 Steps to Selecting a Color
- Coordinate with the room's use.
- Paint for the season. For example, bring in warm colors—such as reds & oranges in the fall and winter months, and cooler colors—greens & blues, during the spring and summer.
- Use direction. The effect of color on perceived temperature also means that the direction a room faces should influence color choices. North-facing rooms may not feel as warm and inviting to buyers because they don't get as much sunlight, an impression that can be lessened by painting them a warm color.
- Harmonize. You can also use color to provide a sense of order and balance in a home. Using variations of the same color throughout a house, rather than painting every room a different, contrasting color, provides a sense of flow from one room to another.
