Home Staging Tip: Remember what a little wall Paint can do!
We've all seen homes that have bold paint colors on the walls, especially those painted in the 1990's. When you're living in your home, you should paint your home whatever color makes you happy ... but when it comes time to sell, think "neutral" paint colors so that buyers don't think "too much work is required" and move on to the NEXT home on their list.
This townhouse is in a wonderful suburb of Portland Oregon, but has been on the market for over 6 months with very few showings. It's well-priced and in very good condition ... BUT the wall colors were so bold in the online photos that likely, potential buyers just couldn't see beyond them.
The listing agent recommended that the sellers consider staging with rental furnishings (they had moved out but left furniture behind) so the old furniture was removed. The sellers' Realtor also agreed with us that painting the living room and master bedroom walls would make a big difference in how buyers would perceive this home. Here are some Before & After photos of the transformation . . . 
We thought the bedroom should present a calm retreat ... and toned down the bold wall color to "move in ready" neutral
To keep expenses down we recommended repainting just the bold terra-cotta accent walls in the great room and master bedroom, using a neutral wheat color. In the kitchen / dining area, we left the terra-cotta accent color, and brought color-appropriate art and accents to work with it, rather than fight with it . . .
Sellers ~ Remember when selling your home that neutral walls are more appealing to buyers
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I agree with the idea of a little bit of wall color, it adds to the feel of the home. Even something as simple as some accent colors can be done quickly and easily, at very little cost.
Great Post Maureen
It is so hard to get people to go neutral-some think those colors really "enhance" the home for staging and photos.
Hi Tom ~ We love accent walls, as long as they don't "hit you in the face" when the home is on the market -- thanks for your feedback!
Hi Michelle ~ just remind those sellers that for a faster sale, neutral is better (but never paint the walls white!) There are great neutrals shades of almost every color, and we often reccommend various neutral soft browns, grays, and greens for selling.
Wow, what a difference the paint colors make. Not only does it make it more neutral but also it looks much larger.
Maureen- It really is amazing what paint can do. You're right about the bedroom, while it was neat in the before photo, painting a more neutral color made it more appealing and calming. Love those glass accent tables.
Maureen: I have to say that I wasn't ready for the stunning transformation in the living room. Okay, the furniture made a difference but the paint change made a jaw dropping improvement. Good work all around.
Wow Maureen what a difference changing the paint color to a neutral tone made and along with your amazing staing, this home is transformed and ready for the market! another fabulous job and I bet your clients were thrilled that they followed your advice because they will truly benefit from your efforts! You always inspire me to be a better stager!
As always an exceptional staging presentation Maureen! The transformation of that living room is simply as Zinger said; "jaw dropping"! I love that you left some color to help save cost. What was left along with your accessories really had a beautiful impact. Stunning!
Hi Maureen - I have seen many listings stating that the paint colours were neutral, although other people would not describe them as neutral.
Maureen - I love the way you neutralized the wall colours, but then brought colour back in in smaller doses, through artwork and accessories. Oh, and by the way, I want that pear painting!!!!! Clunk, clunk, clunk... that's the sound of all those jaws dropping! Great work!
Maureen, another awesome transformation. Lately my nickname is "at least paint" and it's getting old (for me) but I keep bookmarking blog posts like yours and trying to give clients gentle kicks in the right direction. Unfortunately few here are listening. Heavy sigh!
Maureen,
Another Great Post! It's so interesting to see what a little color (or absence of it) can do.
Thanks for sharing...You're brilliant.
Beautiful work and examples Maureen-you enhanced the rooms perfectly!! Exceptional work!!
Maureen....I love, love, love that you left the terra cotta in the Dining/Kitchen as an accent...that is the difference (in my humble opinion) of a good and GREAT home stager. GREAT eye and decision!!!!! And GREAT home staging!!!!
Hi Debbie ~ It's true that the space looks larger, because lighter colors open it up -- and furniture placement helps too. Thanks as always for your support of home staging!
Hi Kathy ~ Yes the bedroom was very neat ... but when selling, we suggest a more neutral color. At least now, buyers won't look at the walls and think "we have to do some work here."
Hi Valerie ~ While I'm a big fan of using any paint color you like to enhance a space, when it's time to sell, a neutral color is going to be accepted more easily. As you know, many people just can't look beyond things like bold paint colors, and instead of using their imagination, they move on to the next home on their list.
Hi Kristine ~ Thanks, you are such a talented stager so I really appreciate your support!
Hi Laura ~ Thank you! The sellers removed all of the previous furniture, since they'd moved out. We tried to keep costs reduced for this project (as always) and "partial painting" was a good compromise.
I agree with Kathy B. - keeping the dark color as an accent was brilliant. It's now serving to create dramatic impact. Well done!
Hi Marc ~ I know what you mean ... neutral to you and me might be "Bold Turquoise" to someone else ... those listing descriptions should be accurate LOL
Hi Sally ~ Glad you approve of leaving some of the color ... in smaller doses, I thought it was just fine. I'm glad you like that pear canvas -- it seems to fit well in a dining space.
Hi Ginger ~ Just keep up the mantra "consider painting for a fresh look that buyers will love ..." One day those people will see that you've been right all along!! :-)
Hi Todd ~ Well put, "a little color or absence of it" is likely what many homeowners need to think about before they put their home on the market. Thanks for stopping by with your feedback!
Hi Cathy ~ Thanks for your kind words ... always a pleasure to hear from you!
Hi Kathy ~ I'm so glad to hear that you agree about leaving the paint color as it was in the kitchen & dining areas. That color doesn't seem too overwhelming when it's confined to a smaller space, and I knew that we could work WITH it.
Hi Sharon ~ nothing wrong with creating interest and drama with some color! Thanks for joining the discussion :-)
HI Maureen, nice balance of neutral walls with pops of colour to add the current trends in .
Hi Maureen--love seeing your work. As I scrolled down the first before/after photos I was saying "Wow". Nice transformation and I loved how you kept the terra-cotta walls as accents in the kitchen and family room.
Maureen- I love what you did. You made the rooms feel "lighter and brighter" Any Buyer could envision his/her furnishings in here. But you also kept it "warm and inviting". I love your artwork and furnishings. You are awesome!
Hi Michelle ~ these photos don't really show the wall colors very well, but the repainted walls are a wheat/light tan color now. You're spot on when you wrote that color should come in with the accents and accessories!
Hi Janet ~ Glad that you approve of leaving some of the wall color there ... thanks for your kind words.
Hi Marianne ~ You are too nice! But thank you -- I'll accept that as high praise coming from you :-)
Hi Maureen,
Oh my gosh, your photos speak volumes, what a difference. You certainly know your stuff when it comes to home staging to sell!
Shazaam! That looks fantastic, what a difference! Great use of decorative items on the large walls! Also love how you tied everything into the accent wall while still being neutral.
Hi Lynda ~ Thank you for your very nice feedback! You've made my day night :-)
Hi Cindy ~ Isn't that colorful metal art on the living room wall fun? I found it at one of my favorite stores and snapped it up!
Maureen
Great balance of colors...I loved seeing what you did, great post and examples of your work
Maureen..... great work with "a little paint" and YOUR FANTASTIC talent for staging.... I am 1/3 done painting my own bedroom. Just using a buttercream color. What a difference! I didn't realize how "dingy" the old color was (a grayish tan). I inherited this house from an uncle who passed and "drug addicts" live here for 2 years! I am almost finished painting the entire interior...... your are so right "what a difference a little paint makes"!!! Great post... Thanks!
Hi Barb ~ Thanks for stopping by and for your very nice feedback!
Hi Teri ~ As stagers we find art hung in all the wrong places .... too high, off center, too big or too small for the space, etc. This is one way we can really help sellers ... often we can make any art look good once it's in the right position.
Good luck with your own painting project. It's true that fresh paint gives a home a whole new look and feel!
I SO enjoy looking at your stagings, Maureen, as you always do such a beautiful job.
Congratulations. Your home staging is being featured in the group Staging Before and After Pictures.
Kathy
Hi Kathy ~ Well you just made my day -- coming from you that is high praise indeed - thank you!!
Maureen, how could you paint over you favorite color ?LOL. Great transformation. I guess before it was "that red house" and now it's a modern inviting space with carefully selected accessories. I love how you pulled out dining room color and brought it through the accents into the living room.
Hi Anna ~ We know that buyers do give "names" to homes they've viewed, and we prefer that those names be complimentary! Thanks for your support and for being so nice :-)
Maureen, your photos are stunning. I love the colors and they alone made all the difference. The kitchen...it is really nice. The configuration is very much like my own and I have been thinking of painting my cabinets as well from time to time. When I am ready I will give you a call for a consultation and you can help me. I would love your take. I don't know exactly when that will be but I will call you. Thanks so much for the blog, visual is good.
Hi Maureen, Great job at staging. I would have liked the color be changed in the dining to a neutral as well, but that's me!
Hi Mary ~ Thanks for your feedback. I'd be happy to help you whenever you're ready, of course! :-)
Hi Beverly ~ Their budget was tight, and we felt we could work with the terra-cotta color and make it "interesting" in the dining area :-)
Great transformation! Love that you left the color in the dining room/kitchen area. It looks like an accent and enhances the feeling and gives the room a sophisticated look. Very well done!
Hi Birgit ~ Thank you! You're right, the strong color as an accent was acceptable ... on the very big walls, not so much :-)
Great job Maureen. Your after pics look fantastic! I'll be curious to hear how fast this one flies off the market!
Maureen, I love the neutral walls and your pops of color. Great idea to leave the dining room as an accent. Well done!
Thanks, Elizabeth. Hopefully it will be soon!
Hi Michelle ~ I'm glad you liked it ... thanks for your feedback.