Paint Colors That Increase Home Value in Iowa

Research consistently shows that certain paint colors can increase a home's sale price by thousands of dollars, while others can actually decrease buyer interest. Understanding which colors add value in the Des Moines market can help homeowners make smart painting investments. For exterior paint, Zillow research found that homes with greige (gray-beige) exteriors sold for an average of $3,496 more than expected. Light blue and soft gray exteriors also performed strongly. Avoid yellow, gold, and terracotta for exteriors — these colors consistently underperform in buyer surveys. For interior spaces, the kitchen has the biggest impact on sale price. Homes with light blue or soft gray kitchens sold for $1,809 more on average than those with white kitchens. Bathrooms painted in pale blue or periwinkle sold for $5,440 more than expected. Living rooms in light gray, greige, or warm white consistently outperform bold colors in buyer appeal surveys. For the front door specifically, black and charcoal doors have been shown to increase perceived home value by up to $6,271. Navy blue and deep green front doors also perform strongly. Avoid brown, beige, and yellow front doors, which consistently underperform. TrueEdge Paint's color consultants work with Des Moines homeowners and realtors to select value-maximizing colors for every project.