The three paint colours that could be turning away house buyers
Selling your home can feel like an uphill battle, especially when viewings aren’t converting into offers. While location and price matter most, one factor that sellers often overlook could be quietly sabotaging their chances: the colour of their walls.
Kevin Barzegar, managing director of Kaybridge Residential, an award-winning independent estate agency, has noticed certain paint choices repeatedly putting off buyers during viewings. With years of experience helping homeowners across Epsom, Ewell, and Worcester Park achieve successful sales, Kevin has identified three colours that consistently fail to impress.
Sellers often spend thousands on staging and improvements, but then miss the simple fact that their paint choices might actually be working against them. Buyers make emotional decisions within the first few minutes of entering a property, and colour plays a huge role in that initial impression.
The three paint colours that put off house buyers
Kevin reveals the three colours British buyers find off-putting and shares practical alternatives that could help your home sell faster.
1. Slate Grey and Charcoal
Dark greys might look sophisticated in magazines, but they’re often a buyer’s nightmare in real homes. Slate grey and charcoal shades absorb natural light, making rooms feel smaller, colder, and less welcoming than they are.
I’ve walked into countless properties where beautiful rooms have been made to feel like caves because of dark grey paint. It’s particularly problematic in British homes where we’re already dealing with limited natural light for much of the year.
The issue becomes even worse in smaller rooms or those facing north, where the lack of direct sunlight, combined with dark walls, creates an almost oppressive atmosphere. Buyers struggle to imagine themselves living comfortably in spaces that feel more like storage rooms than living areas.
Instead of dark greys, opt for warm greige, which is a blend of grey and beige that oozes sophistication without the cold factor. Warm greige gives you that modern, neutral look buyers want, but it reflects light rather than absorbing it.
2. Bright Red and Deep Purple Feature Walls
Feature walls seemed like a great idea a decade ago, but bold colours like bright red or deep purple now feel dated and overwhelming to most buyers. These intense shades dominate rooms and make it difficult for viewers to imagine their own furniture and belongings in the space.
When someone walks into a room with a deep red feature wall, they’re not seeing the room – they’re seeing that wall. It becomes the focal point whether you want it to be or not, and most buyers find it distracting rather than appealing.
Bright colours also clash with most furniture styles and colour schemes, which forces buyers to mentally calculate the cost and effort of redecorating before they’ve even considered making an offer.
For those who want to add character without overwhelming buyers, use accent colours through removable elements. Soft sage green or muted navy blue work well if you must have colour, but keep it subtle. Better yet, add personality through artwork, cushions, or plants that buyers can easily imagine changing.
3. Stark White
While white walls might seem like the safest choice, stark bright white often backfires by making homes feel clinical and sterile. This is particularly true in older properties or those lacking architectural character, where pure white can highlight imperfections rather than hide them.
Stark white usually just makes British homes feel like hospital corridors rather than family spaces. Buyers want to feel warmth and comfort, not like they’re touring a medical facility.
Pure white also shows every mark, scuff, and imperfection, drawing attention to maintenance issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. In properties with period features, it can wash out beautiful details like cornicing or original fireplaces.
Use off-whites with warm undertones instead. Colours like ivory, cream, or soft pearl give you that clean, neutral look while adding warmth. They’re still neutral enough for buyers to envision their own style, but much more inviting than stark white.
Better colour choices for selling success
The key to buyer-friendly decorating is choosing colours that photograph well and help rooms feel larger, brighter, and more welcoming. Pale sage green has become increasingly popular with buyers, offering a fresh, modern feel without being overwhelming.
Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring. The right shade of off-white or warm neutral can make rooms feel expensive and well-maintained while giving buyers the blank canvas they’re looking for.
Light, warm neutrals also work well with different lighting conditions throughout the day, so that your property looks appealing whether buyers view it in morning sunlight or under evening artificial light.
Repainting is a wise investment
Repainting is honestly one of the best investments you can make when preparing to sell. For a few hundred pounds and a weekend’s work, you can completely change how buyers perceive your property. I’ve seen homes that struggled on the market for months sell within weeks after a simple repaint in the right colours.
The return on investment is incredible. We’re talking about spending maybe £300 on paint versus potentially losing thousands by having your property sit on the market longer or accepting lower offers. Buyers will pay more for a home that feels move-in ready, and the right paint colours are a huge part of that impression.
Remember, you’re not decorating for yourself anymore, but creating a product that appeals to the widest possible market. Keep it neutral, keep it light, and let the buyers fall in love with the space rather than getting distracted by the walls.
Kaybridge Residential is an award-winning independent estate agency with offices in Stoneleigh Broadway and Worcester Park, proudly serving Epsom, Ewell, Worcester Park, and surrounding areas. They specialise in residential sales, lettings, property management, and probate valuations, offering a personalised and results-driven service for homeowners, landlords, tenants, and buyers.
