How Much Can Interior Painting Increase My Home’s Value?
If you’re considering updates that genuinely boost your home’s value without tearing into walls or taking months to complete, interior painting is one of the smartest—and most affordable—projects you can do. It’s often described as “high-impact, low-cost,” and for good reason. A fresh coat of paint makes your home feel cleaner, brighter, and better maintained. But how much can it actually increase your home’s value?
The short answer: Interior painting can increase a home’s value by 1–3%, and in some markets, buyers are willing to pay 5% more for a home that looks modern and move-in ready. For a $450,000 home, that’s a potential bump of $4,500–$22,500. Not bad for a project that often costs far less than that to complete.
Below, we break down how interior painting improves resale value, which rooms matter most, and how to choose colors that appeal to today’s buyers.
Why Interior Paint Helps Increase Value
Buyers tend to make decisions emotionally first, logically second. If your home feels warm, clean, and updated the moment they walk in, they automatically place a higher value on it.
Interior paint boosts value because:
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It creates a “move-in ready” impression. Many buyers—especially those relocating or short on time—don’t want a project.
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It makes spaces look larger and brighter. Fresh, neutral colors photograph better and help your home show better online and in person.
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It signals that the home has been well maintained. If the paint looks crisp, buyers assume the rest of the home has been cared for, too.
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It can modernize an older property instantly. Outdated colors can make a home feel older than it is; new paint removes that “time stamp.”
Which Interior Areas Increase Value the Most?
Not all rooms deliver the same return. If you’re painting with ROI in mind, here’s where to focus.
1. Kitchens (High ROI)
Painting a kitchen—especially if you have older cabinetry or dated wall colors—can significantly elevate perceived value. A freshly painted kitchen looks clean and modern without the cost of renovation.
Best color families: soft whites, warm grays, very light greige, and muted blues.
Why it matters: The kitchen is the emotional “heart of the home,” and buyers always scrutinize it closely.
2. Living Rooms & Main Living Areas (High ROI)
This is where buyers form their first impressions of your home’s overall style and condition. Outdated colors (yellows, reds, dark browns, bold accent walls) can make the entire home feel dated.
Best color families: neutral grays, creamy off-whites, greige tones.
Tip: Keep it simple and cohesive—buyers prefer a consistent color palette instead of multiple competing tones.
3. Entryways & Hallways (Moderate to High ROI)
These areas get scuffed and dinged more than any other part of the home. Even if you’re not planning to paint every room, painting the entryway and main hallways can instantly lift the home’s appearance.
Why it matters: First impressions affect perceived value more than homeowners realize.
4. Bedrooms (Moderate ROI)
Kids’ rooms with bright colors or themed walls can be distracting for buyers. Updating them with softer, neutral tones makes the home feel calmer and more universally appealing.
Best colors: light grays, soft blues, muted greens, off-whites.
Tip: Primary bedrooms benefit the most, since they appeal to adult buyers.
5. Bathrooms (Moderate ROI)
Even a dated bathroom looks cleaner and newer with updated paint. Paint can also visually “cool down” older tile colors.
Best colors: spa-like tones—soft blues, greens, and warm neutrals.
6. Ceilings and Trim (Quiet but Powerful ROI)
Most homeowners focus on walls, but freshly painted ceilings and trim deliver a noticeably cleaner, brighter look.
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White ceilings reflect more natural light, making rooms feel larger.
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Crisp white trim modernizes a home faster than most people expect.
If your trim is yellowing, chipped, or painted in outdated colors (brown, off-white, etc.), repainting it can elevate the entire interior.
What Colors Increase Home Value?
When selling, the safest choice is always modern, soft neutrals. They create a blank canvas buyers can picture themselves in.
Top ROI colors:
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Warm off-white
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Light greige (gray + beige)
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Soft gray
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Muted warm beige
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Pale blue or sage in bathrooms or bedrooms
Avoid colors that are too dark, bold, or trendy. They can divide buyers instead of attracting them.
Professional Painter vs. DIY—Does It Affect Value?
In many cases, yes. Here’s why:
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Professional results look sharper, especially with trim, high ceilings, or older walls.
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Brush strokes, drips, uneven coverage, or sloppy lines can hurt your home’s value rather than increase it.
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Professionals use higher-quality paint and often get better pricing on materials.
If you’re planning to sell soon, hiring a professional painter often delivers the strongest ROI because buyers can immediately see the difference.
How Much Does Interior Painting Cost?
Costs vary by region, size, and paint type, but most average homes fall into the following ranges:
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Full interior painting: $4,000–$10,000
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Per room: $400–$1,200
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Trim and doors: $1,000–$3,000
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Ceilings: $500–$1,500
If your home is in the upper-middle-class range (3,000+ sq ft, varied ceiling heights, detailed trim), total interior painting may run higher.
Even so, the value increase almost always exceeds the cost—especially if you choose neutral, buyer-friendly colors.
So How Much Value Can You Expect to Add?
On average:
Interior painting can increase home value by 1–3% directly
…and up to 5% indirectly by helping your home sell faster and for closer to asking price.
Homes with fresh interior paint:
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Stand out more in online photos
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Feel newer and cleaner
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Appeal to a broader range of buyers
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Tend to receive higher offers
It’s one of the most reliable, cost-effective upgrades you can make.
Final Thought
If you’re looking for a home improvement project that delivers maximum return with minimal disruption, interior painting should be at the top of your list. A well-chosen, modern color palette can transform your home’s atmosphere, improve first impressions, and ultimately increase the value buyers are willing to pay.
Whether you’re preparing to sell or simply want a refreshed, updated look for the next few years, new paint is a small investment with a significant payoff.