Choosing paint colors for your home can be difficult, and your favorite color might not be suitable. You may not know which combinations go together or how much of each color to use.
If you are choosing colors for your home, it doesn’t matter if you decide to settle on some highly unusual shades. It is your home, and you can paint it any color you like. But as McGuire Management in Denver warns, you cannot do that when choosing paint colors for rental property.
Since you will not live on the property, you must choose colors with the eventual occupant’s preferences in mind. Which of your potential tenant’s preferences should you try to satisfy? Is there a way to paint a rental property that will please the largest number of prospective renters?
Yes, there is, and here you will find the basic guidelines for painting a rental property. But first, how does painting a rental differ from painting your own home?
- The goal when painting a rental is to get prospective tenants to want to sign a lease. It is not about making a bold statement or expressing your creativity.
- This means you should consider paint color an essential part of your marketing strategy; it should resonate with your target market.
- Generally, this means choosing neutral colors and appealing to people across cultural lines, regardless of gender.
- Colors or color combinations that are viewed as masculine, feminine, or associated with certain stereotypes, countries, or ideologies should be avoided.
- On the other hand, painting in all neutral colors will leave the home bland and lacking in character, which is also off-putting to potential renters.
- This means you should paint the rental in universally-accepted colors and infuse the walls with bold accent colors that breathe excitement into the rooms.
How to Choose the Right Paints
Use Mostly Neutrals
Neutral colors – such as white, gray, ivory, taupe, and beige – appeal to a wide audience; they are safer to use. Neutral colors must be used correctly. Stark white walls look drab, and certain hues of gray feel cold rather than welcoming.
When choosing neutral colors, go for colors that offer enough contrast to wall décor and look good in photographs. The neutral colors with the most appeal are grays, tans, and creams. You can also experiment with darker neutrals like black, navy blue, and charcoal gray in some rooms use them as accent colors.
As a rule, in most parts of the home, use lighter colors with dark accent colors. Play with darker shades in smaller rooms such as bathrooms or dining areas.
Avoid Bold and Daring Colors
The simple reason is that people either love them or hate them. Most people will put up with a neutral color, even if it is not their favorite. But they are not so accommodating toward bright and bold colors. This is because the energy of those colors makes it hard for people to get the color out of their minds; they either must leave the room or repaint it. Bright yellows, fuchsia pink, and vibrant blues are examples of colors to avoid.
Use Paints That Hide Dirt
Choosing the right combination of paint color and finish is how you do this. Lighter shades of color get stained easily. If they are light enough, they will show every speck of dirt on the wall.
Conversely, darker shades may hide dirt well but are unattractive for use as the room’s main color. The way to get around this is to use washable paint that is moderately glossy.
Use High-Quality Paint
Using quality paint will deliver longer-lasting results and reduce maintenance costs. This does not mean buying the most expensive paint on the market. It does mean using the right finish in the right areas. The available paint finishes are:
- Flat or matte finish: This has a low sheen, is non-reflective, and good at concealing flaws or imperfections. It is porous, cannot be washed, and is suitable for low-traffic areas like bedrooms and ceilings.
- Eggshell finish: It is not glossy and has a velvety appearance that cleans easily. It tends to show roller marks and surface flaws. It is best for moderate traffic areas like bathrooms and children’s rooms.
- Satin finish: It is more reflective than eggshell finishes. It is easy to maintain and can handle exposure to moisture, making it a good choice for kitchens. It is best for moderate- to high-traffic areas.
- Semi-gloss: It is durable and has a glowing sheen that is washable. It can be used in moderate- to high-traffic, or areas with high moisture exposure. It is also a good choice for woodwork, windows, and doors.
- Hi-gloss: It is exceptionally durable and the easiest finish to clean. It is highly reflective and suitable for high-use areas or surfaces.
Follow these simple guidelines, and you will have a rental home that most tenants will find attractive. If you want your rental to stand out with an expert color scheme that people fall in love with, you should talk to a professional.