The Best Color to Paint Rental Property for Maximum Tenant Appeal

Derek Neill |

 

Discover the best paint colors for your rental property to attract tenants and enhance appeal. Read on for expert tips and color recommendations.

Choosing the Right Paint Color for Rental Properties

Giving your rental property a new look is the foundation of preparing it for the guests.

When deciding which color palette to use, consider a few key points: the room's natural light and brightness, its size, the color of the furniture, and the decor.

Neutral colors like beige, cream, gray or white paint are suitable as they attract various tastes. Light tones reflect natural light and help open up small spaces. Neutral tones are the best option for rental homes, but they can be interpreted as boring.

Light neutrals with hints of color are trending and likely to remain popular.

Using darker shades can make a big room space feel cozier, while lighter shades can make it more spacious. Colors like gray and beige have been trending in recent years.

Rentals should avoid plain white walls because they can appear institutional.

Benefits of Painting Rental Properties

Paint the entire rental regularly. This is one of the most cost-effective yet often overlooked ways to improve the aesthetics of your rental and retain tenants.

Using white paint can make a rented property look a lot better, making it feel more like home for tenants and more attractive to potential renters.

A good color can improve the comfort and warmth of a room. It shows care and attention to detail, which changes the living room space and makes prospective renters more likely to rent.

A new coat can also help hide small scratches, scuffs, and other flaws or marks on the walls. Repainting before showing a rental home can cover signs of previous tenants.

Different Room - Different Paint Color

Different color schemes will divide the space in an open floor plan or feature a long, unbroken wall.

Use cool neutrals to reflect more light and make a small home or narrow central hallway appear larger. Soft gray, white, cream, and beige are timeless and versatile neutral colors, complementing various styles and creating a sense of openness and tranquility.

Paint the rest of the house light gray, and consider painting a long wall a slightly darker shade of gray to make it appear smaller. Play with the colors and tones to create a visual effect that will benefit your rental property and create an aesthetically pleasing living space.

Don't forget the ceiling—use a lighter shade than the one used for the walls, as that will make the room space feel more spacious.

Durability and Maintenance

Painting a rental property is a big task and time-consuming work. Your goal is to do the job properly, and the first step is to choose high-quality paint that will provide good coverage for the walls. This will give the whole rental a fresher and cleaner look, and save money in the long run.

Poor-quality paint will look sloppy and peel off easily, making the rental property seem cheap and unattractive for (future) tenants.

PRO TIP: Use semi-gloss in high-traffic areas or moisture-prone areas. It is highly durable and holds up to frequent cleaning.

Another option is to use satin paint, a highly durable wall paint, for areas that get a lot of use or are cleaned a lot, like kitchens and bathrooms.

Floors and Walls -- Paint Coordination

For a neat and cohesive look throughout the rental home, the property manager should consider connecting the flooring and the walls—meaning you should decide on color based on the type of flooring you need.

Use neutral tones that appeal to a wide range of potential renters to create a neutral backdrop for the floors and avoid clashing color combinations.

Wall Color and Cabinets

Create a backdrop for the cabinets by using a neutral color palette.

Choose colors for your cabinets that will add contrast between the walls and floors to avoid a cave-like feel. For a clean, lively, and new look in the kitchen, use brighter colors. These colors, which include different shades of gray, white, black, and brown, look great with other styles and are always in.

PRO TIP: prioritize cleaning surfaces, applying primer, and using high-quality paint and brushes

Popular Kitchen Cabinet Colors

White cabinets are a classic kitchen piece with a neutral backdrop for adding colorful accessories, appliances, and decor elements.

Thanks to the clean and bright look, white cabinets can make the kitchen look bigger and more open.

Grey is the second most popular color for kitchen cabinets. It's versatile and comes in numerous shades, ranging from soothing neutral to dramatic darker tones.

Beige creates an inviting feel in your kitchen. Beige cabinets make the room feel warmer and cozier, making it a great place for family and friends to hang out.

Using the Same Color Throughout

A sense of continuity and flow will give your rental property a polished and pleasant look, significantly improving tenants' satisfaction and making real estate stand out in a competitive market.

If you're unsure which color to choose, pick colors that will be appealing to many people. Neutral colors create a blank slate that can suit any décor.

Kilim Beige by Sherwin Williams, Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore which is a classic shade and Merino Wool by Behr are popular choices for rental properties.

Using the same color for every room space of the rental can help create a sense of cohesion throughout the property and also make it easier to touch up any scuffs or marks on the walls.

Warm undertones make the space feel more like home.

Professional Help - Experience for The Best Result

Hiring a professional paint crew can save time and ensure a professional result. Professionals have the staff, equipment, and experience to create a high-quality finish.

An experienced crew has what it takes to give your rental property a makeover that will make your space look welcoming and well-kept.

Professional help will make the whole process of painting the rental home much easier, faster, and simpler without unnecessary mess or accidental damage.

PRO TIP: A property management company can also provide guidance on picking the right color for your rental property.

Additional Tips

Consider the amount of light in the rental property. If the house gets ample sunlight, you can choose colors such as a cool neutral like gray, to cover the warmth and brightness of the light.

If the house doesn't get much sunlight, use warmer shades like beige or cream to create a friendly and inspiring atmosphere.

Think about maintenance and choose colors with a subtle sheen that is easier to clean in case of accidents. This will save you time and money in the long run.

Interior paint colors that are non-toxic and eco-friendly are currently trending, and it's a big plus if you choose them for your rental property.

Finally, consider the mood the real estate investor wants to create throughout the house. Choose soft and subtle hues if you're going for a relaxing and soothing atmosphere.

If you want a bright and dramatic effect, consider bold, deep interior colors that will give the whole house a sophisticated look like a darker blue.

Final Word

It might be difficult to decide on the ideal color for your rental property since there are a lot of things to take into view. You also have to think about your style and personal preference, the overall design of the place, and the mood you want to achieve.

With the right color, you can create a welcoming and inviting living space that will appeal to many prospective renters. Consider the durability and maintenance when selecting a color.

Be creative and play with different tones of the same color. Try to maintain a cohesive look that adds an elegant charm to the rental property. Remember that walls are a blank canvas with countless possibilities.

Quality interior lighting will accentuate the color of the walls and give them a subtle sheen and warmth.

Don’t be afraid to seek professional help if needed.

Tenants must seek approval from their landlord before painting. Most lease agreements require tenants to follow specific guidelines when painting and using the correct sheen. Landlords may require tenants to provide color samples for approval before painting. Landlords generally prefer tenants to maintain ceilings, doors, and trim in the same color.

Tenants may need to protect flooring, trim, ceilings, and outlets from over paint as part of the process. Following landlord conditions when painting may prevent tenants from having to repaint the unit back to its original color upon moving out.

FAQs

What is the best paint color for a rental property?

  • Quail Ridge by BEHR: It is an amazing and popular color that will instantly elevate the elegance of your property. It is a gray paint with a warm brown undertone that creates a warm and friendly ambiance.

  • Popular Gray by Sherwin Williams: Popular gray by Sherwin Williams represents a grayish beige with brown undertones. This soft color pairs well with the furniture and gives a touch of sophistication to the living space-

  • Silver Sage by BEHR: Perfect for those who want a little boldness on their walls. This is a great green-blue paint with a touch of gray that keeps it calm and soft.

  • Benjamin Moore by Revere Pewter: Benjamin Moore is a light gray color with a warm finish. This classic color opens up your space and creates an elegant and sophisticated feel. Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter is the best choice for living rooms, dining rooms, or bathrooms.

  • Moth Grey by BEHR: It is a light gray with a classy washed-out gray undertone that may look like "light greige," depending on the source of the light.

  • Kilim Beige by Sherwin Williams: It is a harmonious blend of caramel beige and gold-yellow beige. This warm color will look perfect in the master bedroom or a living room.

  • Merino Wool by BEHR: It is a popular choice for bedrooms as it has a soothing, warm-beige undertone that gives an elegant touch to the space.

  • Navajo White by Sherwin Williams: It is a beautiful white hues with a yellow undertone. It radiates elegance and class and is recommended for dining rooms and living rooms.

  • Semi-gloss paints are well-suited for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms due to their increased durability.

What color is best for a rental property?

Neutral base colors like grey, white, beige, and cream. Depending on the lighting, play with warm and cool undertones.

If you want a bold pop of color, choose blue, pink, green, or yellow.

A property management company can help you with color psychology and with which colors are best for each room space.

How can I improve the appearance of my rental property?

Fresh paint, keep it clean and decluttered, and make sure it has the right furniture.

What shade of white do landlords use?

Landlords prefer an off-white shade because it complements many interior styles.

What sheen of paint for rental property?

The most popular are satin, semi-gloss, and egg-shell sheen. They are attractive and easy to clean.

Professionals recommend an eggshell sheen accompanied by satin as they are easy to clean and maintain. Use them in high-traffic areas like hallways or kitchens.

What is the best color scheme for a rental property?

For interior paint you cant go wrong with white, gray, and beige. Don't be afraid to play with color swatches and choose what best suits your rental property.

Cool colors can create a serene and harmonious environment in a bedroom.

Dark colors can make larger rooms feel cozier and more intimate with only a few coats.

What are the benefits of regular painting?

Regular painting has many benefits, including maintaining aesthetic appeal, protecting surfaces from damage, increasing property value, and attracting new tenants. Also, a new coat of paint suggested by the property manager keeps your investment property trendy and more desirable.

Are there any eco-friendly paint colors?

Real estate agents recommends BEHR Premium Plus, BioShield, and ECOS Paints.

Investing in good quality paint saves money in the long run because poor quality paint requires more coats and does not cover well.

How often to repaint?

Although there isn't a specific rule for this, it is advisable to paint high-traffic areas (living rooms, kitchens) every 3-5 years. Less used spaces can be repainted every 7-10 years.

Additionally, you should fix drab paint jobs whenever you notice them and do touch-ups when necessary to hide dirt or fix any damage.

What are the best paint colors for the accent wall?

An accent wall is a easy way to get a bold pop of color and can be changed regularly.

You can experiment with blue, yellow, green, pink, or orange depending on your style.

You can change the look of your wall with a Sea Star shade of blue by Benjamin Moore Color or go with Milk Shake orange for a warmer and cozier feel.

What are the trending paint colors for 2025?

According to Benjamin Moore, the best paint colors for 2025 are Cinnamon Slate, Cloud Clover, Antique Pearl, Sea Salt, and Chamourd.

What are the recommended exterior paint colors?

Look for high-quality, weather-resistant paint colors that will last:

  • Aura® Exterior paint with exclusive Color Lock® technology, provides the ultimate performance for rich, full color and unprecedented durability.

  • Regal® Select Exterior paint resists fading, cracking, and peeling, and provides a mildew-resistant coating for humid conditions.

Trending outdoor colors are gray, black, white, or navy blue.

Durability is vital when choosing paint finishes for rental properties that experience wear and tear.

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