:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/13-Screenshot2024-08-01at3.01.18PM-1ede720a212a455e9468ac65f22fd37b-8e6ad6feea4545f9894f639c4ce107bd.jpeg?ssl=1 "Want to Sell Your Home for More? Don’t Skip This Color Trend Buyers Want to See in Every Listing")
If you’re wondering what all of the homes on your block will look like next year, forget beige walls and neutral colors. Bold color will be everywhere next year, Zillow predicts in their 2026 home trends report.
“We’re seeing a shift away from the idea that ‘neutral sells,'” says Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “After years of beige and gray dominating design, people are craving more personality and emotion in their homes.”
In their latest paint color analysis, Zillow even found that homebuyers are willing to pay up for color, handing over more cash for navy blue bedrooms or olive green kitchens.
And it’s not just a pop of blue or a touch of green. Homeowners are going all in on one shade, also known as color drenching. Get ready to see the same shade cover everything from the walls to the trim to the ceiling, and even the floors.
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Michelle Boudreau Design
“This isn’t just a niche design trend,” Pendleton explains. “It’s part of a larger cultural shift toward bolder, more individualized spaces that make a home memorable. And in today’s market, memorable can be a selling point.”
Homeowners are no longer afraid of trying to appeal to everyone when selling their homes. Whether it’s the competitive buyer’s market or a shift in culture, sellers are adding personality and getting rewarded for it.
Mentions of color drenching popped up 149% from last year, Zillow reports, showing an interest in spaces that feel equal parts dramatic and cozy.
Not all paint colors have the same effect on your home’s value. Pendleton recommends richer tones like deep greens, dark blues, and warm earth tones, if you want your home to sell for more. These shades have the benefit of being on trend but very livable, making them unlikely to alienate buyers.
Mary Patton Design
“Think of color drenching as emotional design,” Pendleton says. “It’s less about being loud and more about creating a mood that buyers can see themselves living in.”
If you want to try out the trend in your own home, Pendleton recommends starting small. A powder room is a classic example as is a home office or reading nook. If you want to make more of a statement, try a dining room.
“In Zillow listings, we often see color-drenched spaces used strategically,” Pendleton says. “Those kinds of details photograph beautifully and can help a listing stand out online, which is key since that’s where most buyers are making their first impression of a home.”
A colorful space can stay in buyers’ minds and lead to more clicks and faster sales, Pendleton says.
Tyler Karu Design
If you’re looking to sell your home and already have a color drenched space, Pendleton has a bit of advice for you: “If you’ve got it, flaunt it,” especially if you want to list your home online.
“Features that pop in online photos, like color-drenched rooms, cozy reading nooks, or playful amenities, can help your listing stand out and connect with buyers on an emotional level,” Pendleton says. “You don’t need a full renovation to capture that energy; small updates or design touches can go a long way in making a great first impression online.”
If color drenching isn’t the trend for you, the most important thing is that you love the home you’re in.
“These rising trends point to a larger truth: people are looking for homes that reflect who they are,” Pendleton says. “The best trend to follow is the one that makes your home feel like home.”