As the New Year approaches, thoughts are turning not only to 2025 but also to life-changing decisions like moving house, which is undoubtedly a stressful endeavour involving the sale of one’s home and finding another suitable dwelling. However, startling new research indicates that UK buyers could pay up to five percent less for homes decorated in unappealing colours.
Given the current average UK property price of £302,000, a questionable palette might slash over £15,000 off the selling price. What’s more, nearly 20% of Brits are under the impression that an unsightly colour scheme could devalue a property by more than 10 percent, raising the stakes even higher for sellers’ choices.
Amid these revelations, Michael Rolland, the managing director and a paint specialist at The Paint Shed, has highlighted what could devalue properties in the year 2025. On the importance of keeping the property presentable, Rolland advises: “Even if you don’t repaint your walls entirely, it’s important to do touch-ups on a property before looking to sell. Scuffed or chipped paintwork can significantly impact a buyer’s perception of the property.”
He further explained: “A well-maintained paint job boosts the home’s perceived value, suggesting that it has been cared for and is in good condition.”
Furthermore, Rolland brought up the negative implications of ignoring general wear and tear, stating: “In contrast, visible wear and tear-such as scratches, marks, yellowing woodwork or fading paint-while normal, can make the home appear older and neglected, potentially turning off prospective buyers.”, reports the Express.
He also cautioned against painting over mould, which can be another detracting factor for potential buyers, thus impacting the overall value.
The pro cautioned: “Though this has been a trend on social media, painting over mould does not get rid of the problem, it only temporarily hides it.”
“Mould spores can penetrate through paint, leading to continued growth beneath the surface. If left untreated, this can reportedly lead to respiratory issues, allergies, or asthma attacks; it can also cause structural damage to the affected area.”
“Applying anti-mould paint over existing mould will not fully eradicate the issue, as mould can persist beneath the surface and continue to pose health risks. Properly dealing with the underlying moisture issues (and possibly even consulting with a professional mould specialist) is essential to solve your mould problem.”
The colours most likely to devalue homes:
Yellow
The research, conducted by Origin’s state-of-the-art powder coating centre, found that Brits consider yellow to be the cheapest-looking colour when incorporated into a property. This could be a concern for sellers, especially since 10 percent of homes in Britain currently feature a yellow colour scheme, according to the study.
Pink
‘Peach Fuzz’ may be Pantone’s colour of the year, but heavy use of the colour could risk devaluing a home too, with research indicating that pink tones are considered the ‘tackiest’ way to decorate a home.
Neutrals
Opting for a beige colour scheme might be playing it safe, but it could also affect the value of a property, with many Brits considering a neutral palette to be the most ‘boring’. Grey, once a popular choice, is also seeing a decline in interest among homeowners, with Google searches for grey homes plummeting by over two-thirds since 2021.
What’s recommended
Research has delved into which colours could potentially boost a house sale. White tops the list as both the classiest and most expensive-looking colour, ideal for those aiming to maximise their home’s value.
For a touch of colour, blue is a fantastic option, deemed the most stylish and widely used in British homes, featuring in more than a quarter of them. Meanwhile, red is making waves on social media with the ‘unexpected red’ interior trend, and its boldness was voted the most daring by Brits, perfect for adding a ‘wow factor’ to any space.
Ben Brocklesby, a colour expert at Origin, commented: “At Origin, we’ve been studying colour for over 20 years to perfect our aluminium powder coating. Given our homes are usually our biggest financial asset, we were interested to find out more about the latest colour trends and how they are impacting the value of homes across Britain.”
“It’s fascinating to see the stereotypes attached to certain colour palettes, particularly shades like pinks and neutrals which are used in so many homes but appear to be falling out of favour.”
“However, it’s encouraging to see that Brits remain open to the use of bold colours both inside and outside their properties, with our research showing that blue and red tones are being coveted by style-conscious house buyers in 2024.”