published Jan 6, 2024
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
New year, new home trends. Looking for a quick upgrade to put your space in a whole new light? A fresh coat of paint can totally alter a room. Although it’s a simple and inexpensive change, choosing the right paint color can also significantly increase your home’s list price. When homes hit the market this year, what color will dominate? According to real estate pros, classic white will be everywhere in 2024.
“There is nothing quite like a crisp white to transform a tired room,” says Mike Fabbri, real estate broker with The Agency.
A Blank Canvas
While you might be inclined to think of white walls as boring, Fabbri says you can’t go wrong with neutrals and predicts we’ll see a lot more of them this year as opposed to loud pops of color or accent walls. He recommends Benjamin Moore’s Dove White as the perfect warm white that looks great throughout the home.
Think of a fresh white paint job as a facelift for your home, shaving years off its age. The classic look never goes out of style and can go with a number of other colors and design elements. White also allows potential buyers to more easily imagine themselves in the home, serving as the ideal blank slate for their style ideas.
“A uniform room looks good every single time,” says Fabbri. “And there’s very little risk. You’ll paint it one time and be happy. What you see is what you get.”
Beautiful and Bright
Diana Sutherlin with Compass in New Jersey agrees. She loves Farrow & Ball’s School House White No. 291, noting it’s the perfect color for those deciding between a white or a caramel hue in their home.
“It has a tendency to change color based on the light, the ceiling height, and the overall proportions of the room,” says Sutherlin. “Farrow & Ball’s colors are always surprising, yet elegant. They often look different on the walls compared to the swatches, in the best of way.”
This chameleon quality can come in handy to help you achieve different aesthetics. White tends to brighten and open up a space, helping it to appear larger. And there’s actually a lot of variety within white. You can choose shades from bright white to ivory, bone, and beyond.
Sutherlin predicts that neutrals are here to stay for the foreseeable future. In addition to white, she sees a big comeback for beige.
“For those not willing to go completely tan, this shade is the perfect balance between white and pale butterscotch,” says Sutherlin. “You can use it for your entire house or hallways or one room. It’s very versatile.”
Another mellow shade is Pantone’s Color of the Year: Peach Fuzz, which could easily complement white walls in the form of throw pillows or an area rug.
If you’re selling your home in 2024, don’t be afraid to leverage white walls. This basic shade just may be the perfect paint to make your home shine.
