A recent analysis conducted by Zillow reveals that the choice of paint color in a home can significantly influence its final sale price. The study, released in June 2026, analyzed survey responses from over 4,400 recent and prospective homebuyers and assessed how specific colors in key rooms—bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms—affect buyer interest, likelihood of touring, and willingness to pay.

Contradicting the conventional wisdom that neutral white tones are the safest for sellers, the research identified several colors that tend to decrease home values. Ochre yellow emerged as the most detrimental, with properties painted entirely in this muddy golden hue experiencing price reductions averaging $18,164. Even limited application of ochre yellow, such as in the kitchen alone, corresponded with an average decrease of $6,630 in offers. Other colors that correlated with lower sale prices included fire-hydrant red in bathrooms and pale pink walls.

Conversely, certain color choices were associated with higher offers. The study highlighted chocolate brown bedrooms, specifically Sherwin-Williams’ Turkish Coffee shade, as the top-performing paint color, correlating with an average premium of $2,277 compared with similar rooms painted white. Charcoal gray and sage green also ranked among the favored bedroom colors, contributing to increased buyer appeal and higher bids.

These findings underline the potential financial impact that interior paint selections can have during the home-selling process. Sellers aiming to maximize offers may benefit from considering these insights when preparing their properties for market.