These 7 paint colors will increase your home’s value

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If you’re looking to sell your home for the most money, start by giving your bathroom a fresh coat of paint!

According to a new study from Zillow, homes with blue bathrooms sold for $5,440 more than expected, the highest sales premium of all colors analyzed.

Read more: 3 words you should never use when selling a home

Paint your home these colors to sell it for the most money

Zillow’s 2017 Paint Color Analysis looked at more than 32,000 photos from sold homes nationwide to see how certain paint colors impacted their sale price on average when compared to similar homes with white walls.

Various shades of blue were also top picks in other areas of the house besides the bathroom, including the bedroom, kitchen, dining room and front door.

Natural tones like pale gray and oatmeal were also found in top-performing home listings.

“Painting walls in fresh, natural-looking colors, particularly in shades of blue and pale gray not only make a home feel larger, but also are neutral enough to help future buyers envision themselves living in the space,” said Svenja Gudell, Zillow chief economist. “Incorporating light blue in kitchens and bathrooms may pay off especially well as the color complements white countertops and cabinets, a growing trend in both rooms.”

Although paint is a simple fix, darker, more style-specific walls may deter buyers.

Meanwhile, a lack of color could be the biggest mistake for sellers. Homes with white bathrooms sold for an average of $4,035 below similar homes, Zillow found.

Take a look at Zillow’s best and worst paint colors by room:

Kitchen

Best: Light blue to soft gray-blue; home sold for $1,809 more on average

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Worst: Straw yellow to marigold; home sold for $820 less on average

Image credit: Dreamstime

Bathroom

Best: Light powder blue to periwinkle; home sold for $5,440 more on average

Worst: Off-white or eggshell white; home sold for $4,035 less on average

Image credit: Dreamstime

Image credit: Zillow

Bedroom

Best: Light cerulean to cadet blue; home sold for $1,856 more on average

Worst: Light pink to antique rose; home sold for $208 less on average

Image credit: Dreamstime

Living Room

Best: Light beige, pale taupe, oatmeal; home sold for $1,809 more on average 

Worst: Pastel gray, pale silver to light blue, periwinkle; home sold for $820 less on average

Image credit: Dreamstime

Dining Room

Best: Slate blue to pale gray blue and navy blue also found in dining rooms with white shiplap; home sold for $1,926 more on average

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Worst: Brick red, terracotta or copper red; home sold for $2,031 less on average

Image credit: Dreamstime

Home Exterior

Best: Greige (mix of gray and beige); home sold for $1,526 more on average

Worst: Medium brown, taupe or stucco; home sold for $1,970 less on average

Image credit: Dreamstime

Front Door

Best: Navy blue to dark gray or charcoal; home sold for $1,514 more on average

Image credit: Dreamstime

Ready to get started on a painting project? Sherwin-Williams, Behr, Benjamin Moore and Dutch Boy interior paints all ranked above average in J.D. Power’s 2017 Paint Satisfaction Study.

Read more: 9 best paints for your home

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