Here’s something you might not know: both interior and exterior painting can add significant value to your home. On average, homeowners who do both see about a $4,000 lift in value with a 55%-107% return-on-investment.

Another benefit is that your home will look fantastic, especially at first glance. In real estate, first impressions matter. Especially in a world dominated by online listings, you may only have seconds to catch the attention of a prospective buyer. New exterior and interior paint is your home putting its best foot forward. That’s why 66% of realtors in a recent survey recommended that the current homeowner repaint the interior and exterior prior to listing.

Interior painting

Painting the interior of the home before listing is a project that most homeowners, no matter how handy, can tackle at a relatively low cost. Even if you use the same colors that your house has now—if you’re unsure what exact shades were used, talk to your local hardware store for paint matching services—a fresh coat of paint will add vibrancy and life back into the home. Again, you want to make a good impression on a prospective buyer. New paint sends a subliminal message: “This house was well-cared for by the current owner.”

Of course, interior painting is also a chance to revisit some of your past color choices and make positive changes. While you shouldn’t go too wild with color, the right accent wall in the right space can really influence the mood of your kitchen, living room, or bedroom. Don’t underestimate the power of color to transform a space from bland to exciting.

Exterior painting

Your home’s exterior paint is especially important to its curb appeal—after all, the front of the house is typically the first thing a prospective buyer sees, whether they are pulling up to the curb or scrolling through homes online. However, to maximize the value you get out of exterior home painting, you’ll need to make the right decisions in a few key areas:

• Quality: Shoddy paint work makes your home look old and cheap—probably not what you’re looking to get out of your exterior painting project! Use high-quality paint that is formulated specifically for your home’s exterior. Take the time to prepare the surface for painting so that the paint adheres and dries correctly. When in doubt, hire an exterior painting contractor.
• Color: If your home is in a homeowner’s association (HOA), chances are that your color palette is already limited to a predetermined selection. However, even if you live in an HOA-free neighborhood, go with what the neighbors are generally doing. You don’t want your home to stick out like a sore thumb!

Paint your home and see the results for yourself

For even more interior and exterior painting tips—including a breakdown of color options—check out this incredible infographic below:.