5 Reasons NOT to Paint Your Walls White

When it comes to preparing a home for sale, most people think that white is a safe, neutral color to paint an interior. Everything goes with white and it makes a room appear crisp and clean and bright, right? Well…yes. But the real question is: is that the best way to go? Here are some other things to think about before painting your entire home eggshell white or “renter’s white”:
1. White is neutral but it can also appear stark or cold, especially in a vacant property.
2. Too much of a good thing often becomes “too much” instead of a “good thing”. Too much white in a vacant property doesn’t give the eye a place to focus or rest. Too much white in an occupied property makes the walls seem to fade away so the eye instead is drawn to the contents of the room. We’re trying to sell the walls and square footage, not the sofa and bean bag chair.
3. A palate containing multiple complimentary colors gives the rooms more personality and maintains a buyer’s interest as they move from room to room. Buying a home can be likened to an experience in a restaurant: you need a roof over your head just as you need food in your stomach but, if you’re going to pay a premium, you want it to be special. Which looks more appetizing? A plate with white rice, grilled chicken and cauliflower or a plate with confetti rice, grilled chicken glazed with something yummy and some mixed grilled vegetables?

4. Renter’s White has the potential of making an interior look like, well, a rental! Investing a little thought and consideration into a colorful yet neutral palate can give the home a more elegant appearance.

5. Adding color to one or two walls in a room is a wonderful way to direct the eye. For example, in a room with cathedral ceilings, paint the highest wall(s) a different color to direct the eye upward. In a long narrow space, paint one wall a darker color and hang a mirror on the adjacent wall to make a room appear wider.
I’m not saying one shouldn’t use white at all. I’m only saying white shouldn’t be the only color one uses. Neutral is good. White is only mediocre. There are a large variety of other terrific neutral colors one can use when preparing a home for sale. Soft greens and blues are great. Tan and mocha are also terrific. A soft buttery yellow can brighten a space even better than white and still keep it warm.
Yes, white can make a home crisp, clean and bright but color can do all of that and make a home look inviting, warm and interesting.
There is only one more thing to remember: color is always secondary to the condition of the paint. A fresh coat of paint is a cheap and easy fix to any home and should be considered a prerequisite before listing any property.