This Popular Kitchen Color Can Actually Hurt a Home’s Sale Price

Forget what you thought you knew about  renovating for resale value. Buyers are bidding farewell to blank-slate interiors and willing to shell out more money for a house with a touch of drama, particularly in the kitchen. According to Zillow’s just-released paint color analysis report, a white kitchen may actually hurt a home’s sale price by more than $600. Instead, a striking preference for dark gray walls is rising, as buyers are willing to pay a premium for this moody aesthetic. The study surveyed more than 4,700 recent and prospective home buyers and found that properties with deep graphite kitchens could sell for $2,512 over asking price. Pewter is also apparently a major draw: Zillow estimates midtone gray kitchens can bump a listing’s value $2,553. Of course, the ultimate sale price depends on a variety of factors, but this data proves a little strategic sprucing can make a significant difference. Take a look at three kitchens that nail this edgier hue. 

Don’t Forget the Shelving

Interior designer Joanne Palmisano worked wonders with a small budget to retain the old-world charm of her client’s new home in Stowe, Vermont. While most cabinets couldn’t be salvaged, Palmisano cleverly installed open shelves and painted everything, including the plank that lines the backsplash, a captivating peppercorn gray. 

Go Totally Monochrome

In Alberta, Canada, Rebecca Mclean and her husband, Brad, crafted their 8,000-square-foot dream home from scratch. While the central cooking zone boasts a bold matte black kitchen, the additional bar-slash-kitchen in the basement steals the spotlight with its silvery soapstone counters and fish scale–tile backsplash. 

Simplify a One-Wall Layout

After deciding to flip the placement of her guest bedroom and her kitchen, Silvana Vergara saved hundreds of dollars by situating the appliances and sink along the same wall. Then she opted for Scavolini cabinets and shelving in a chic slate hue. The result? An effortlessly cool aesthetic that perfectly complements the new layout.