A question I am often asked by potential home sellers is “should I repaint the house or some of the rooms to help it sell better?”. Sometimes the answer is obvious, but other times, it is not clearly evident that the investment in painting will pay for itself. Often the seller will be picking a more neutral color, and it might not be the color that will motivate the buyers, as they may want an entirely different palette. Then the painting has been done without the benefit of return.
As an alternative, the room itself can be changed to have a different look. Mark Landsteiner of Commission Express sent out an article recently on the idea of brightening up and adding color to a room without painting. It may seem obvious to you, but as I read through I thought about some of the rooms in houses I have shown recently that were just a bit bland, and how these could have helped.
Whether you are thinking about selling your home, have it listed, or like me are just too lazy to paint, these ideas may work well for you. They definitely have the possibility of being accomplished at less cost.
Thanks to Mark for these ideas.
#1: Wall Decorations
Just because you cannot paint your walls doesn't mean that they have to be bland. You can add a lot of pop using wall decorations. Find a large colorful wall painting that takes up a lot of room on an empty wall. Hang a wall tapestry, or even invest in temporary wall paper to create an accent wall. These alternatives not only add color and pop to your décor, but also create an intriguing focal point for the room.
#2: Furniture Accents
If you aren't keen on buying bright colored furniture, use furniture accents to add color and life to your décor. Use a mix of soft tones and vibrant colors to create a unique look. There are a number of accents to mix and match such as afghans, throw pillows and blankets. In fact, many professionals recommend mixing and matching patterns and colors to create a vibrant color scheme. The best part? You can change these furniture accents as the seasons change without the hassle of painting.
#3: Table Accents
Used in combination with these ideas above, table accents and other inspiration pieces can help to help create flow. Think about how the colors will work together. Look for accents such as vases, picture frames, and other knickknacks that will add a pop of color without the commitment.
#4: Floor Decorations
There is little risk and a lot of reward by using floor decorations to add color to your home interiors. If you have a neutral color couch, adding a colorful area rug can play off of your neutral furniture beautifully. Use multiple rugs in addition to the area rug to really jazz up the space and add dimension.
#5: Window Decorations
Your window treatments have a huge impact on the way that your rooms feel. Whether it is how much (or how little) light gets in or how big or small your windows are, getting creative with your window decorations is an excellent way to add color and texture to your home.
#6: Colorful Furniture
Maybe you don't want a bright red couch in your living room, but have you thought about a bright red armchair? Using strategically placed colorful furniture pieces will liven up any room. Even if the rest of your furniture is neutral, these color pieces - if chosen well - will improve the overall aesthetic of the room. You can achieve this same look with textured and patterned pieces.
#7: Plants and Flowers
Often overlooked inside the home, fresh plants and flowers can add color and liveliness throughout your space. A simple vase of fresh flowers on the kitchen counter or a potted palm in the corner of the living room can make a huge impact on the comfort and color of your home.
These are just a few of the many ways to add a pop of color to your home. What are some of the ways you've avoided painting in the past? Keep in mind these are also great suggestions if you're thinking about selling your home and want to create a beautifully staged canvas for potential buyers.
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