New Zillow Report Says These Paint Colors Help Homes Sell for More

When it comes to selling your home and getting it ready for all those tours, the age-old advice has always been to drench all the surfaces in neutrals so it appeals to the broadest set of prospective buyers, therefore increasing the chances of a sale. (After all, it’s easier to envision your own furniture in a space that’s essentially a blank canvas.) 

But a new report from Zillow suggests going against instinct here. According to their latest research, which is based on a survey of more than 4,200 recent and prospective home buyers, a colorful space can actually boost your home’s sale price.

Here, we comb through their data to confirm what those colors are and how exactly they can increase your earnings from a sale.

Green and Blue Is a Winning Color Combo

Dark olive green kitchens are having a huge moment in real estate right now, defying the long-standing appeal of the classic white kitchen that’s typically seen as “safe” for buyers. According to Zillow, buyers would pay $1,597 more for a home with cabinets painted in the murky hue.

And don’t be deterred by deep blue hues in your sleep sanctuary—Zillow says buyers liked navy blue bedrooms the best, and this relaxing shade can increase a home’s sale price by $1,815. 

According to Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, olive green and navy blue are considered “contemporary colors” that can skew a buyer’s perception (in a positive direction) of the listed home. “These shades of blue and green are associated with organic modernism, a value-driving aesthetic that incorporates sustainable materials like wood and stone,” Pendleton adds. “These nature-inspired colors evoke the same feelings of serenity and tranquility.” 

Dark and Moody Is in Demand

While dark academia has been trending for quite some time, the general consensus is that if you’re planning to sell your home, you should absolutely paint over those dark, moody hues. However, Zillow states that charcoal is a top choice for living rooms—in fact, it’s the preferred pick! Homes with dark gray living rooms can sell for $2,593 more.

Meanwhile, mid-tone browns like Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year (Mocha Mousse), “commanded the highest offer prices when painted in the bathroom.” And interestingly, darker shades of green, blue, and gray outperformed white and lighter shades of sage green and pale sky blue in Zillow’s analysis, which totally challenges the common belief that “light and bright” is the best color palette when painting for resale. 

Overall, Zillow states that buyers prefer dark, dramatic shades of green, blue, and gray over the once-favored white paint.

Yellow and Red Paint Is Off-Limits

Unsurprisingly, choosing the wrong paint colors can cost sellers. Buyers said they’d offer nearly $4,000 less for a home with a daisy yellow kitchen ($3,915) or living room ($3,891). Red hues are also a bad idea—homes with fire hydrant red living rooms or bedrooms could see offers drop by around $1,800 to $2,000. Essentially, stay away from a McDonald’s-themed palette if you can!