New Zillow Research Says These Paint Colors Can Help Sell Your Home

From Staff Reports

Forget eggshell white and greige — buyers want drama.

That’s the takeaway from new Zillow research released this month, which finds that deep, moody hues like olive green, navy blue, and charcoal gray are doing more than just making a style statement. They’re boosting home sale prices, too.

In Zillow’s latest color analysis, homes with olive green kitchens could sell for $1,597 more, while a navy blue bedroom may command $1,815 above expected value. That’s not just a splash of color — it’s a tangible return on investment.

“Buyers view olive green and navy blue as contemporary colors, and that can have a halo effect on their perception of the entire home,” said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “These nature-inspired colors evoke the same feelings of serenity and tranquility.”

Zillow’s study, which surveyed more than 4,200 recent and prospective buyers, reinforces the growing popularity of “organic modernism” — a design trend defined by earth tones, natural textures, and grounded luxury. That trend has made its way from high-end spec builds to mainstream buyer preferences.

In Dallas‑Fort Worth, agents like Christie Cannon at Keller Williams stress that while saturated tones can yield localized value, widespread staging norms still lean warm and neutral in shared spaces, she told HomeLight.com. Buyers — especially those relocating from coastal markets — expect a polished, move‑in‑ready palette before even setting foot in the door.

Dallas buyer trends skew toward finishes that feel curated yet neutral, paired with wide‑plank oak floors and brass accents, Dallas-based designer Jean Liu told Architectural Digest.

Here’s what else the study found:

Charcoal gray is still the top-performing color in living rooms, potentially boosting sale price by $2,593.

A mid-tone brown — similar to Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year — scored highest for bathrooms.

The wrong colors can cost you: Buyers said they’d offer nearly $4,000 less for a home with a daisy yellow kitchen or living room.

Fire hydrant red in the living room or bedroom? That could knock off up to $1,987 from your bottom line.

And despite the long-held belief that white interiors help buyers “see the potential,” Zillow’s research suggests otherwise. Bolder, saturated hues that reflect today’s design-forward aesthetics are now more likely to move the needle — both emotionally and financially.