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The Power of Color Psychology in Home Staging

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Living Real Estate, LLC 9152684

Choosing Colors That Captivate Buyers

 

Introduction

 

When you're preparing a home for the market, colors play a vital role in the emotional response of potential buyers. The right hues can create an inviting atmosphere, making your property feel like a welcoming haven. It’s not just about aesthetics; it's about tapping into color psychology to help you stage your listings effectively. 

 

Understanding Color Psychology

 

Colors can evoke emotions and influence decisions. For instance, warm tones like red and orange can create feelings of warmth and comfort, while blues and greens tend to promote calmness and trust. These emotions are key when buyers imagine their lives in a home. So, consider what feelings you want to evoke in your target audience while staging. 

 

Choosing the Right Palette

 

Selecting a color palette can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Aim for a mix of neutrals and accent colors. Neutral colors like beige, gray, or soft white create a blank canvas. This allows buyers to envision their personal touch without distractions. On the other hand, strategic pops of color can highlight features like a fireplace or a beautiful window. For example, vibrant throw pillows or art can draw attention to a feature you want to showcase.

 

Creating Cohesion

 

An important part of staging involves ensuring your color choices create harmony throughout the home. Transitioning from room to room should feel seamless. If you choose a cool-tinted shade for the living room, carry that color into adjacent spaces in a lighter or darker tone. This not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also creates a flow that buyers will appreciate. 

 

Personal Touch Matters

 

Consider this: a recent staging project involved a modernized bungalow where the right use of color made all the difference. Soft greens in the kitchen paired beautifully with a warm taupe in the living room. Feedback from showings indicated that potential buyers felt relaxed and at home—which translated into multiple offers. When you understand the impact of color, your staging strategies become innovative and effective.

 

Conclusion

 

As you plan your next staging project, remember the power of color psychology. The right colors can attract more viewers and help your listings sell faster. Whether you decide on tranquil shades or energetic pops, aim for a palette that resonates with your target market. 

 

Want to make an impact with your next listing? Connect with me today to create a color strategy that captivates buyers!

 

Posted by

 

Lew Corcoran
Licensed Massachusetts Real Estate Agent
Certified Listing Expert
Certified Real Estate Negotiator
RESA Certified Home Stager
Professional Real Estate Photographer
FAA Licensed Drone Pilot

Director, National Board of Directors,
Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)



Better Living Real Estate, LLC

15 Wall Street, #9157
Foxborough, MA 02035
O: (888) 877-8300
D: (508) 258-9658

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Comments(19)

Show All Comments Sort:
Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308
Stake Your Land Realty, Inc. - Eustis, FL
Broker/Owner, SFR®, e-PRO®, GRI, AHWD, REALTOR®

Lew Corcoran 

You make some great suggestions for sellers that want to list their properties and attract buyers. Some do such a great job and others need our assistance.  Keeping it simple is always best.

Feb 17, 2025 08:07 AM
Lew Corcoran

I appreciate you acknowledging the tips for sellers, Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308, and I agree that simplicity often works wonders! It's true, some sellers really shine, while others could use a little extra support.

Feb 17, 2025 01:04 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good advice to share. I posted your blog on X.

Enjoy the holiday and have an outstanding week.

Feb 17, 2025 08:16 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thanks so much, Roy Kelley, for the share on X – I really appreciate that! I hope you have a wonderful President's Day and a fantastic week ahead.

Feb 17, 2025 01:05 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Lew Corcoran from personal experience, colors do impact the mode I am in.

Feb 17, 2025 09:43 AM
Lew Corcoran

I'm so glad you chimed in with your personal experience, George Souto, as it truly validates the concepts! It's fascinating how colors can subtly, yet powerfully, affect us.

Feb 17, 2025 01:05 PM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

great information. Thanks for sharing it.

Have a super fantastic week!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Feb 17, 2025 09:52 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you so much, Bill Salvatore - East Valley! Your encouragement means a lot to me—wishing you an equally fantastic week ahead!

Feb 17, 2025 01:06 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Lew,

This is what I love about my stager. He always goes into the house when it is vacant and gets a feel for the vibe on the house. His colors are consistant throughout the house as he puts his creativity into play. I always love what he produces and so do my sellers!

Feb 17, 2025 12:28 PM
Lew Corcoran

Wow, Dorie Dillard Austin TX, your stager sounds amazing, truly attuned to the home's essence! It's wonderful to hear how much your sellers appreciate his talent.

Feb 17, 2025 01:07 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Lew- color choice is very important in staging as well as living in your home. Colors evoke certain emotions and memories. 

Feb 17, 2025 08:29 PM
Lew Corcoran

Thanks for adding a thoughtful perspective, Kathy Streib. I love how you highlighted the emotional impact of color choice. I really adds depth to our conversations about home staging and living.

Feb 18, 2025 06:30 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Such an important issue, Lew, when staging a home for sale. Reactions to color can be very dramatic. I once showed a coop in NY City that the wife was loving. Her husband not so much... in fact not at all. We asked him why. He said he hates brown. We looked around and there was no brown, except for the sofa and easy chair. It took a while to convince him that that brown furniture was not staying with the property. 

Feb 18, 2025 04:21 AM
Lew Corcoran

That's a fantastic and incredibly relatable anecdote, Nina Hollander, Broker! It really illustrates how personal color preferences can make or break a sale, even in the seemingly small details.

Feb 18, 2025 06:31 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

This is such great advice to share with both buyers and sellers, your viewpoint is spot on with how colors make you feel, and if buyers feel relaxed and comfortable they will make an offer.

Feb 18, 2025 06:07 AM
Lew Corcoran

I completely agree, Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543. You perfectly captured the essence of why understanding color is so crucial in real estate; it's all about creating the right atmosphere! Thanks for adding this insightful point!

Feb 18, 2025 06:33 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Lew - finding a color palette that is pleading to the eye and doesn't distract from the property for sale is wise.  Good tips.  

Feb 18, 2025 02:59 PM
Lew Corcoran

I'm glad you appreciated the tips, Michael Jacobs. I think you're right that a thoughtful color palette really can elevate a property, and I appreciate your feedback!

Feb 18, 2025 04:25 PM
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Thanks Lew, color does indeed require serious consideration. Nothing evokes stronger emotional response from buyer than uninviting,distracting color choices.

Feb 18, 2025 08:01 PM
Lew Corcoran

You hit the nail on the head, Kris Collis, Associate Broker; color truly sets the stage for those all-important buyer emotions! I'm glad you shared your expertise.

Feb 19, 2025 05:31 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

In Feng Shui In my own practice, color, palette mixes in a way that suits the overall needs of each client  to create a flow that’s specific To them while in keeping with the overall position of flow and it really does make a difference similar to what you’re saying,.

Feb 18, 2025 09:19 PM
Lew Corcoran

It's fascinating how you tailor your approach to each client's unique needs, Laura Cerrano, and I'm sure that personal touch makes a huge difference in the end result; it's a testament to your dedication to delivering personalized service.

Feb 19, 2025 05:32 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Lew Corcoran - Your excellent staging tips including color, palette mixes, and using accessories to make colors pop is the perfect solution for selling your home and/or enjoying the time you live in the house. New colors over time make a fresh new look. 

The old pink colors of yesterdays (like mauve) may have looked great in granny's house in the 1970's but if that color hasn't changed, it's going to be a lot harder to sell. 

Congratulations on getting a well-deserved feature post on ActiveRain! You deserve it! 

Feb 19, 2025 04:23 AM
Lew Corcoran

I appreciate your insightful comments and the well wishes, Patricia Feager! Your point about outdated colors is spot-on, and I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

Feb 19, 2025 05:33 AM
Peter Mohylsky,
Property Management International-Destin - Inlet Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Nice touch with the right colors.  I am sold now.  

Feb 19, 2025 12:30 PM
Lew Corcoran

I appreciate your comment, Peter Mohylsky, because you've nailed the importance of how colors influence perceptions. And thanks for sharing that you're sold on the idea! It's great to hear that you found the information valuable.

Feb 19, 2025 12:43 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Hey Lew, great post on this topic. The interior colors of a home certainly do play a very important role in the overall feel of a home. Depending on the type of lighting and windows, the interior colors need to compliment and enhance the home. 

Feb 19, 2025 01:17 PM
Lew Corcoran

Thanks so much for your thoughtful insight, Dr. Paula McDonald! You’ve highlighted such an important aspect of home staging—those little details can truly transform a space and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Feb 20, 2025 01:25 AM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Lew Corcoran very valuable report for the power of color psychology in home staging.

Feb 19, 2025 08:08 PM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you, John Pusa! I really appreciate your feedback; it’s great to know that you found the insights valuable for your own staging efforts!

Feb 20, 2025 01:25 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker
Great information, thanks for sharing.  I hope you have a great day.
Feb 20, 2025 04:39 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you so much, Richard Weeks! Your kind words made my day brighter, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to connect. Wishing you a wonderful day as well!

Feb 20, 2025 09:43 AM
J. Casey Losh
Ewing and Clark - Seattle, WA
CEO

Thanks for posting!

Feb 20, 2025 08:42 PM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you so much, J. Casey Losh! Your support means a lot, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post!

Feb 21, 2025 12:04 PM
Miriam Odegard
United Real Estate Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN
Real Estate Broker Serving Greater Indianapolis

Love your post, Lew! A neutral palate with pops of color here and there is so effective. I've noticed it when touring builder models; the palate is a lovely neutral, and there's usually one signature accent color throughout the model home.

Feb 21, 2025 04:34 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you, Miriam Odegard! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the post, and I completely agree—those subtle accent colors can truly transform a space in such a beautiful way!

Feb 21, 2025 12:05 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Lew:

You've made some really good points about the use of color in a home, and when staging. Colors can evoke all kinds of emotional responses, both positive and negative.

Jeff

Feb 21, 2025 03:28 PM
Lew Corcoran

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, Jeff Dowler, CRS! It’s fascinating how color can shape our experiences in a space, and I appreciate you bringing that valuable perspective to the conversation!

Feb 22, 2025 12:32 PM