The stress of moving house, from selling your current place to hunting down the perfect new pad, is something many of us have experienced. When selling up, it’s common practice to give your house a refresh to maximise your chances of getting the best price possible.
Yet, fresh research has uncovered that Brits are willing to pay on average five percent less for a home donning an unappealing colour scheme. That means that with the average UK property price now at £302,000, unsightly colour choices could be slashing over £15,000 off a home’s selling price.
Moreover, nearly one in five Brits reckon a dodgy colour palette, whether inside or out, can devalue a property by more than 10 percent, hiking up the cost for sellers making poor paint picks, reports the Express. Michael Rolland, managing director and paint expert at The Paint Shed, has dished out advice on what will knock pounds off property values come 2025.
Touch-ups
It’s important to touch up any imperfections before you sell
(Image: Getty)
On the topic of touch-ups, Rolland advised: “Even if you don’t repaint your walls entirely, it’s important to do touch-ups on a property before looking to sell. Scuffed or chipped paintwork can significantly impact a buyer’s perception of the property.”
He added, “A well-maintained paint job boosts the home’s perceived value, suggesting that it has been cared for and is in good condition. In contrast, visible wear and tear-such as scratches, marks, yellowing woodwork or fading paint-while normal, can make the home appear older and neglected, potentially turning off prospective buyers.”
Painting over mould
When it comes to painting over mould, Rolland didn’t mince his words. The pro warned: “Though this has been a trend on social media, painting over mould does not get rid of the problem, it only temporarily hides it.”
He continued: “Mould spores can penetrate through paint, leading to continued growth beneath the surface. If left untreated, this can reportedly lead to respiratory issues, allergies, or asthma attacks; it can also cause structural damage to the affected area.”
Instead, Rolland suggested that it is worth consulting with a specialist when it comes to mould. he said: “Applying anti-mould paint over existing mould will not fully eradicate the issue, as mould can persist beneath the surface and continue to pose health risks. Properly dealing with the underlying moisture issues (and possibly even consulting with a professional mould specialist) is essential to solve your mould problem.”
The colours most likely to devalue your home
Yellow
The study by Origin’s high-tech powder coating centre found that yellow is considered the cheapest-looking colour when used in homes, which is worrying for many since 10 percent of UK homes sport a yellow theme.
Pink
While ‘Peach Fuzz’ was last year’s Pantone colour of the year, overuse could decrease property value. Research indicates pink shades are seen as the most ‘tacky’ choice for home decor, pushing the virtues of neutrals instead.
Beige and grey
Opting for basic beige could negatively affect a home’s attractiveness, as Brits have dubbed it the ‘boring’ choice for home decor. Grey also seems to be falling out of favour, with its popularity plummeting—Google searches for grey homes have gone down over two-thirds since 2021.
Colours that add value to a home
Blue is considered to be a stylish choice
(Image: Getty)
White
White is winning hearts for its classy look and that luxe vibe, so if you want to cash in big time on your casa, white’s your go-to hue.
Blue
If drab surroundings aren’t your jam and you’re up for a dash of vibrancy, consider going blue. Associated with style and a staple in more than a quarter of British homes, blue could be your stylish ticket to a sale.
Red
For those daring to dazzle purchasers, red can be the surprise twist you need. An ‘unexpected red’ wave is hitting social media, painting properties with a stroke of boldness that’s being branded the edgiest by house-hunters in Britain.
Colour wiz Ben Brocklesby from Origin said: “At Origin, we’ve been studying colour for over 20 years to perfect our aluminium powder coating. Given our homes are usually our biggest financial asset, we were interested to find out more about the latest colour trends and how they are impacting the value of homes across Britain.”
The expert noted: “It’s fascinating to see the stereotypes attached to certain colour palettes, particularly shades like pinks and neutrals which are used in so many homes but appear to be falling out of favour. However, it’s encouraging to see that Brits remain open to the use of bold colours both inside and outside their properties, with our research showing that blue and red tones are being coveted by style-conscious house buyers in 2024.”
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