When it comes to staging a home for sale, the timeless advice of keeping color schemes neutral remains as valid as ever. White or light shades create a sense of simplicity, serenity, and spaciousness within a space. These understated colors act as a blank canvas, enabling potential buyers to envision themselves residing in the home.

However, homeowners with colorful walls or furniture may question whether it’s possible to retain some color in their staged home. The answer is a resounding yes.

You can maintain or even introduce a pop of color to infuse just the right amount of personality and style into your staging. In fact, a splash of color can transform a space into a designed, memorable environment for prospective buyers.

Additionally, color can enhance the visual appeal of your listing photos. Remember that adding color should come after the initial stages of home staging, which involve decluttering and refreshing. Here’s a strategy for strategically incorporating color into each room of your staged home.

**Brighten the Living Room:**

– Utilize throw pillows to introduce a burst of color. They are readily available and cost-effective, making them an excellent way to add vibrancy to a sofa. Opt for throw pillows that harmonize with the sofa and the room’s decor. You can choose a bold contrast, such as royal blue against white or bright yellow with a beige sofa. Patterned, floral, solid, or metallic pillows are all acceptable options. The key is to select colors that generate visual interest without overwhelming the room.

– Coordinating the colors of items on display shelves is another cost-effective approach to infuse a touch of color into your living room. When organizing your bookcase or shelves, consider grouping books of the same color or color combinations together. You’d be surprised at how a stack of brightly colored books, whether red or blue, can revamp a shelf or an accent table.

– If you’re hesitant to part with a pair of brightly colored armchairs, rest assured that you may not need to eliminate them entirely. After creating a neutral and soothing ambiance overall, consider reintroducing the colorful furniture piece or accessory. You can balance it with a paler counterpart, like placing a light-colored throw on a chair or arranging white books on a colorful table.

The rule of thumb is that if an element is visually distracting, it should be removed. However, if a colorful piece complements the space and adds the right touch of personality, it can be retained. A potential buyer is more likely to remember a unique house, such as one with an intriguing blue velvet ottoman, in contrast to the sea of all-white homes that leave no lasting impression.

**Bring a Splash of Color to Your Kitchen:**

– Explore opportunities on surfaces such as countertops, open shelves, or the stovetop to introduce hints of color into the kitchen. Avoid clutter but consider replacing essential, neutral items like a tea kettle, dish towel, or cookie jar with colorful alternatives that tastefully brighten the space.
– Adding colorful seating options is an effective way to infuse color into the kitchen. Vibrant bar stools or dining chairs can bring the kitchen to life.
– Another simple yet impactful method often used by stagers for both photos and open houses is placing a bowl of colorful fruit on the counter. Consider using a single color, such as an arrangement of all green or all red apples. To provide a warm, personal touch at an open house, you could leave a note inviting visitors to enjoy the fruit.

**A Bedroom That Exudes Tranquility:**

– A well-staged bedroom should offer the feel of a serene hotel room, devoid of overly personal elements. Light or white bedding and minimal accessories contribute to a calming decor.

– However, adhering to a hotel-like atmosphere in your bedroom doesn’t mean you can’t introduce some color. The wall behind your bed is an ideal place to showcase a different hue. Stick to peaceful or classic colors that complement your neutral bedding. White or ivory bedding appears sophisticated against a navy wall, while a soothing aqua or pale blue wall can freshen up a dull or dark space, making it more inviting and relaxing. Incorporating a mirror on the painted bed wall adds elegance and serenity to the retreat.

– Like the living room, you can opt for colored throw pillows or a single colorful piece of accent furniture to subtly enhance the bedroom’s ambiance. As long as it doesn’t overshadow the room’s spaciousness and calming atmosphere, a touch of color can bring vibrancy to the bedroom.

**Bathrooms Are for Color:**

– The bathroom should convey a fresh and clean feeling to potential buyers. Crisp white towels and a gleaming shower or tub work wonders in brightening up an outdated or worn bathroom. Surprisingly, a little color on the walls can also achieve this effect.

– If your bathroom still feels somewhat lackluster despite cleaning and updating with new hardware and a fresh glaze on the tub, consider painting one or more walls with a classic or fresh color. This not only adds a touch of style to the room but also helps conceal aging walls and divert attention from other outdated features.

– Opt for classic colors like navy or charcoal gray to stand out against the pristine white towels or make white tiles appear brighter. Alternatively, a serene shade like pale aqua can evoke the essence of clean water, instilling a soothing atmosphere.

– It’s advisable to steer clear of non-soothing, vibrant colors like orange or emerald green for bathroom walls. While these hues can make a bold statement, they don’t convey the calm or clean ambiance typically sought in a bathroom.

**Dress Up Your Exterior:**

– Last but not least, enhance your home’s exterior with a splash of color to boost its curb appeal. Painting the front door and shutters in a color that complements the rest of your house can make a significant difference.
– Classic and vibrant colors like red, green, and blue are excellent choices, especially when coordinated with planters and brightly colored flowers.

– Consider the season when deciding on the colors of flowers and accent pieces for added visual impact. For instance, red tulips work wonderfully in spring, while orange and yellow evoke a sunny ambiance in the fall.