When it comes to selling a home, first impressions matter, and few factors impact a buyer’s first impression more than paint color. While a deep purple dining room or a royal blue bathroom might reflect your personal style, these colors can be a major turnoff for potential buyers. 

In fact, according to Fixr.com’s 2025 Interior Design and Color Trends Report, a group of surveyed home stagers and designers named lime green (73%), bold pink (42%), red (35%), purple (33%), bold orange (30%), and mustard yellow (20%) among the most off-putting interior paint colors for buyers. Based on these numbers, it’s clear that color plays a big role in your home’s perceived value. 

If you’re considering listing your home, here’s a guide to paint colors you should avoid and where they can be the most problematic.

Avoid in living rooms and bedrooms 

Red and orange tones are energetic and intense, often associated with passion or appetite stimulation. While they can work in small doses (in the right shade), they often feel overwhelming in large areas and tend to make spaces feel smaller and darker. In bedrooms and living rooms, especially, these hues can deter buyers. In fact, Psychologist and Wellbeing Consultant Lee Chambers told Homes & Gardens magazine that being in an intense color, like red, for long periods of time can actually “make us irritable, more aggressive, less relaxed, and even increases your heart rate.”

Avoid in small rooms and hallways

Dark colors can make a powerful design statement, but they also make rooms feel more confined and less inviting. In smaller spaces like bathrooms or narrow hallways, deep browns and charcoal grays can feel oppressive. These colors may also limit how buyers imagine furnishing rooms, especially if lighting is limited.

Avoid in bedrooms, playrooms, and bathrooms

Bright pink, electric blue, and lime green can be fun and creative colors, but most buyers will see them as something they’ll need to paint over immediately. Children’s rooms or play areas are where these colors usually show up, but when selling, it’s best to repaint your walls with a calmer, more versatile shade. Even if the homebuyer has small children, they likely won’t have the exact same style or preferences.

Avoid in living spaces, bedrooms, and open concept areas

Black is often seen as a bold and stylish color that brings a sense of mystery and drama to a space. When used thoughtfully, it can make a room feel warm, private, and even a little dramatic. On the other hand, this color can also be risky. Black walls absorb light and can make even large rooms feel gloomy or “cave-like.” A black fireplace surround or a black accent wall might work in a bright, modern living area, but painting an entire room or ceiling black can be a turn-off. Black paint also tends to accentuate wall imperfections, so a perfect paint job is crucial when working with this color. 

Avoid entirely

Any paint color that feels overly specific, like deep eggplant, turquoise, or mustard yellow, can pull buyers' attention away from the home itself. Even if they don't dislike the color, they may start mentally tallying the cost and effort of repainting, which can negatively affect how they perceive the home's value.

Avoid in living areas, bedrooms, and hallways 

White is often thought of as the “ultimate neutral,” but stark, bright white (if not used correctly) can also feel cold and sterile, especially in rooms meant for relaxation. Pure white paint can also make rooms feel clinical, accentuate dirt in high-traffic areas, and hide details in architectural elements like historical molding or trim.

However, this doesn't mean you should abandon white paint altogether. Instead, consider leaning into softer, warmer shades like Sherwin-Williams Alabaster, Benjamin Moore White Dove, or Valspar Swiss Coffee, which offer a more inviting and versatile feel.

When choosing paint colors for resale, it's best to keep the main common spaces (living rooms, family rooms, hallways, kitchens) in the same neutral color. Soft shades of greige, warm beige, or light taupe create a clean, inviting atmosphere that appeals to a wide range of buyers and helps the space feel larger and brighter.

For bedrooms, calming tones such as soft blues, muted greens, or light grays work well to create a restful environment without overwhelming the space. In bathrooms, fresh and airy colors like pale blue, light sage, or soft white can make the room feel clean and spa-like. 

At the end of the day, the right paint can make a powerful difference when selling your home. A few thoughtful color choices now can go a long way in helping your home sell faster, and possibly for a higher price.