This One Paint Color Could Ruin Your Home's Resale Value

When you're looking to sell your home, one of the things you want to focus on is increasing the resale value. There are a lot of factors that influence the final number, including your choices in paint color. Certain shades can make people hesitate to purchase a space. While there are a few colors that intimidate new buyers, one in particular will have most people turning away. According to a survey by Fixr, roughly 59% of buyers decline to put an offer on a home with red paint. 

There are a few potential reasons that red isn't desirable. One is how red makes people feel. It's a color associated with high energy, danger, anger, and passion. While all of these aren't necessarily bad, it's a strong feeling that not everyone wants in their home, which is meant to be a relaxing and comforting place. Reds also can make a space feel more crowded than it is, causing even large rooms to seem cramped and overwhelming. Additionally, people aren't always happy with bold colors, and prefer a more subtle shade. Even darker reds are a once-favored paint trend that now makes your home look dated and undesirable.

Frank D. Isoldi, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty in Westfield, mentioned when talking to House Beautiful that "[Red] can look very elegant in the right space with the right lighting and furniture, but for the most part, it's a difficult shade to nail and makes most rooms feel smaller and dated."

In addition to red, lime green and bright yellow are also high on the avoid list, with 53% and 40% of people surveyed saying they wouldn't choose a home using these colors. While you can still use shades of green and yellow, going for more muted or subtle options is a better choice. If you're looking for what color to use instead, Fixr recommends neutrals, whites, greens, and blues. These are calmer and more peaceful colors, and they make it easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves in a space. If you need some help deciding what to use instead of red, these 20 trendy paint colors are said to be taking over walls in 2026.

If you enjoy red and expect to be in your home for a few more years, you may want to paint it and plan to hide the color later. Additionally, it may be better to find decorations in your favorite shade instead, though professionals suggest that you may want to avoid painting your furniture red, too. A better option is to take a more neutral color and try a trendy paint pattern to make your walls less boring. Additionally, if you do insist on using this color, it does best in specific rooms. For example, art studios and offices are a good place for red, as it can help boost creativity and productivity.