There’s something really special about decorating your home with your favorite colors, especially when you find unique paints that you have never seen before. We totally encourage you to experiment with these as long as you remember that you may have to remove them someday. That’s right–many paint colors will make your home difficult to sell, so unless you’re planning to stick around for years to come, you might want to avoid these colors.
Neon Green
It should go without saying that neon green walls aren’t ideal for selling a home unless it’s to a raver. As a general rule, bright, unconventional colors can overwhelm a space, making it hard for buyers to imagine their style fitting in. Neon green, in particular, can be way too intense, which might send potential homeowners running instead of encouraging them to bust out the glowsticks.
Dark Charcoal
Nowadays, many people are choosing dark charcoal walls for a luxurious and modern feel, but it’s certainly not for everyone. Considering the nature of this shade, it absorbs light, making rooms appear darker, smaller, and less inviting, which can be a big turn-off to buyers seeking bright, open spaces. Potential buyers might see dark charcoal and think about the hours of priming and painting it would take to lighten things up, ruling your home out before they’ve even seen the rest of it.
Deep Burgundy
Sure, deep burgundy might work for a cozy, warm vibe in a family den, but in general, it makes for a tricky sell. Yes, bold colors can add personality, but they often limit a room’s appeal. It’s worth noting that burgundy has recently gained traction in vintage and modern luxury design circles, but it could still clash with more mainstream tastes.
Eggplant Purple
Some people find eggplant purple to be bold, elegant, and unique, but for many others, its dark, dramatic tones can make a room look smaller and even a little gloomy. There’s just something about this shade that makes it feel moody, so it might be hard for buyers to see it as versatile. Ultimately, rather than inspiring excitement, eggplant walls can leave buyers with a sense of claustrophobia and an urge to repaint.
Bright Orange
In contrast to the darker tones on this list, you might think that bright orange feels cheerful and playful, but it can still be too overwhelming for those looking at your space with fresh eyes. In fact, this color can make a room feel chaotic rather than inviting, especially in larger doses. As a result, many potential buyers might struggle to see past this intense hue, imagining the cost and effort it would take to make it their own.
Pepto Pink
Soft pinks might be trending, but shades that veer too close to Pepto-Bismol territory often miss the mark. This color can seem juvenile or overly feminine, potentially alienating buyers seeking a more neutral palette. Overall, pepto pink tends to dominate a room rather than complement it, which can make it a sticking point for buyers looking to customize the space.
Fire-Engine Red
Another popular paint color that will make your home hard to sell is fire-engine red. We can’t deny that this often looks striking in magazines and sample booklets, but in practice, it’s a divisive choice. Your average person is going to find this color to be overstimulating and overwhelming, potentially distracting buyers from the room’s potential.
Black
Just as with dark charcoal, black can feel sleek and modern to some, but usually, it’s a risky choice. Black walls soak up light, making rooms appear much smaller than they are, and therefore, this shade will only appeal to a niche audience. As you might expect, buyers prefer lighter, more neutral spaces that feel open and airy. Meanwhile, black can make your home feel more like a project than a place to settle in.
Sunshine Yellow
Yellow paints can certainly be a cheerful addition to a home, but going too bright can overwhelm the senses. Sunshine yellow, in particular, is way too overpowering and can create a sense of visual fatigue, especially for large rooms. Because of this, potential buyers might find it hard to imagine relaxing in a space with such a vibrant color, which can ultimately turn them off from putting down an offer.
Forest Green
In recent years, forest green has become a popular design trend, especially for creating dark, cozy interiors. However, it’s still not universally appealing, and it likely never will be. Ultimately, when it comes to trendy paint tones, it’s best to leave such choices down to the buyer because if it’s not their cup of tea, it could completely derail an open house viewing.
Sky Blue
Sky blue walls are often a popular choice among children, and because of this, they’re not exactly the best choice for a general space. Sure, it might make sense to use it for a small bedroom, but we wouldn’t recommend decorating your entire living room with it, as prospective buyers will no doubt be rushing to paint over it.
Lavender
Lavender is famous for being calming, both in color and fragrance, but it’s not a universally loved choice, especially for main living areas. This soft purple shade may strike some buyers as overly personal or feminine, which can make it hard for them to imagine the room as their own. In a competitive market, even a small detail like a lavender wall can leave potential buyers thinking of more neutral alternatives.
Turquoise
There’s just something about turquoise that tends to feel overly vibrant, making it feel out of place in most spaces. Yes, this shade has a strong personality, but it’s going to be a little too much for most. As we’ve discussed in this guide, buyers typically prefer subtler shades that allow them to envision their belongings, and turquoise is anything but subtle.
Mustard Yellow
In a similar vein to turquoise, mustard yellow is absolutely not subtle. At one point, it was actually quite trendy and bohemian, but the ‘60s and ‘70s were a long time ago. Ultimately, mustard might work just fine for accent pieces, but come on–would you really want to be surrounded by wall-to-wall mustard?
Coral
Another popular paint color that will make your home a tough sell is coral. Some people love the warm, inviting touch that this shade brings, but it’s undeniably distinctive and, therefore, divisive. Even if 50% of viewers loved your coral bedrooms, this would still reduce your potential market by half, so it’s really not worth it.
Mint Green
Last but not least is mint green, and personally, we think this is self-explanatory. It might be fresh, but perhaps a little too much so, making every dining experience feel like you’ve eaten too many spearmints. Joking aside, this soft, pastel shade can feel too playful or dated, depending on the home’s overall style, so while some buyers might appreciate the color, most people will be reducing their offer in its presence.