Does Paint Increase Home Value?
Yes - in many cases, painting your home can significantly increase its perceived and actual market value. While it’s not the most expensive renovation, it is one of the highest-return improvements homeowners can make when preparing to sell or rent out a property.
A fresh coat of paint improves first impressions, modernises interiors, and signals that a home has been well maintained. At Perth Professional Painters, we regularly see painted homes attract stronger buyer interest and sell faster compared to similar unpainted properties.
Why Paint Has Such a Big Impact on Home Value
Painting doesn’t just change appearance - it influences how buyers feel about a property.
- First impressions matter most: Buyers form an opinion within seconds of walking into a home. Fresh, clean walls instantly create a sense of care and quality.
- It makes the home feel newer: Even an older property can feel modern and well-maintained with the right colour scheme and finish.
- It reduces perceived maintenance costs: Buyers often assume freshly painted homes require less immediate work, which increases appeal.
- It improves listing photos: Real estate photography benefits significantly from neutral, freshly painted interiors.
How Much Value Can Paint Actually Add?
While exact figures vary depending on the property and market conditions, research and real estate trends consistently show:
- Fresh interior paint can deliver moderate to high ROI (often 100%+ in resale impact perception)
- Homes with newly painted interiors often sell faster than comparable unpainted homes
- Neutral, modern colour schemes can improve buyer appeal across a wider audience
It’s important to note: paint doesn’t just add direct dollar value - it improves marketability, which often leads to better offers.
Best Paint Colours to Increase Home Value
When painting for resale, the goal is broad appeal. The most effective colours include:
- Warm whites
- Soft greys
- Neutral beige and greige tones
- Light off-whites for bright spaces
These colours make rooms feel larger, cleaner, and more adaptable to different buyer styles.
Bold or highly personalised colours can sometimes reduce appeal, as they require buyers to mentally “undo” design choices.
Interior vs Exterior Painting Value Impact
Both interior and exterior painting influence value, but in different ways:
Interior painting
- Impacts emotional response and livability
- Strong influence on perceived modernity
- Critical for presentation during inspections
Exterior painting
- Drives curb appeal
- Sets expectations before buyers enter the home
- Often the first indicator of property maintenance
A combination of both delivers the strongest overall impact.
When Painting Adds the Most Value
Painting is especially valuable when:
- Preparing a home for sale
- Renting out a property
- Updating an outdated colour scheme
- Covering marks, stains, or wear
- Refreshing after renovations
In these cases, painting acts as a “finishing upgrade” that ties everything together.
When Painting May Not Add Much Value
There are situations where painting alone won’t significantly change value:
- Structural issues or major repairs needed
- Poor property layout or design flaws
- Over-improved properties in the area (market ceiling reached)
In these cases, paint still improves presentation, but won’t drastically change price expectations.
What This Means for Homeowners
The key takeaways are:
- Yes, painting can increase home value - mainly through improved presentation and buyer appeal
- It often delivers one of the highest returns on investment in home improvement
- Neutral, modern colours are best for resale
- Both interior and exterior painting contribute to stronger market performance
- While it may not always increase the final price dramatically, it often improves speed of sale and buyer competition
Thinking About Painting Before Selling?
A professional paint job can make a significant difference in how your home is perceived on the market.
At Perth Professional Painters, we specialise in high-quality interior and exterior finishes designed to maximise presentation and appeal - whether you’re selling, renting, or refreshing your space.
Get in touch today for expert advice or a free quote and make your property market-ready with a flawless finish.
