Adding Value to Your Home - Updating the Paint (Part 1 of a 5 part series)

As the holiday season quickly fades into the rearview mirror, Spring selling season is not far down the road. With the next couple of posts, we'll share a handful of ideas for updating your home, thus, by extension, adding property value. We'll take a look at painting (today), replacing floors, countertops and more.

It's no secret that updating your home will result in added home value. Something as simple as updating with this season's top colors resonates with possible buyers. The colors in your home create meaning and give people feelings. If your potential buyers feel comfortable in your home when they visit, they may offer you more money to purchase it.

The World Today

The Covid-19 pandemic caused turbulence in the world. Many people sought family, close friends and comfort. They chose soothing, more muted colors to decorate with last year. Others wanted to be uplifted, so they decorated with brighter colors to add positivity and hope to their lives. As we move towards the post-pandemic world, colors that we decorate our homes with will change. The colors may vary based on peoples' feelings and what they are looking for in this changed world. However, trends will emerge. Experts have already predicted the top colors of 2022.

How Colors of the Year are Chosen

The top colors each year are chosen by experts in the decorating world. According to Better Homes & Gardens, "Their choices for colors of the year often draw on trends in pop culture, fashion, technology, and design from around the world." Pantone is the latest authority for color.

Pantone's 2022 Color of the Year

Pantone announced that it created an entirely new hue for its 2022 color of the year. This is a first. In the past, Pantone has selected a color from its vast library of shades. The color of the year for 2022 is PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri. According to Pantone, "It is a vibrant shade of periwinkle that blends the familiarity of blue with the energy and excitement of red." Pantone explained that Very Peri is, "Designed to pique curiosity and creativity. The warm, joyful hue is meant to symbolize our transition out of the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic." Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director for the Pantone Color Institute states, "Encompassing the qualities of the blues, yet at the same time possessing a violet-red undertone, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression." Very Peri is meant to bring a sense of playfulness to the world and the interiors of our homes.

How to Decorate with Very Peri

According to Better Homes & Gardens website, Very Peri can be combined with green tones in living rooms and home offices for more refreshing and nature-inspired looks. Very Peri can be combined with more muted shades in bedrooms. Mauve and terra-cotta are a couple muted-color ideas. In children's spaces, get bright by combining Very Peri with hot pink and bright yellow. You can bring the Very Peri color into your home's rooms with furniture, accent pieces, paint or other decor. Paint an accent wall in one of your rooms with Very Peri. Bring in a coffee table or side table with this color if your other furniture is a more muted color such as gray or tan. Add Very Peri colored accent pillows, a blanket and a throw rug in your bedrooms.

Other Colors of the Year

Country Living magazine has announced seven colors of 2022 that range from calming neutrals to cheerful, optimistic shades. Use these colors as wall colors or accent walls, a furniture accent piece or other decor. These shades are:
1. Babouche, a sunny yellow
2. School House White, an updated neutral
3. Bright Skies, a hopeful blue
4. Breakfast Room Green, a cheerful shade of green
5. Incarnadine, a comforting red
6. October Mist, a pale green
7. Stone Blue, a vintage tone of blue

Bringing several of these colors into your home is sure to impress buyers and add to your overall home value. Better yet, it can work on a minimal budget. If not performing a major overhaul by completely painting and redecorating, simply painting a few accent walls in your home and add a few pillows, vases, blankets, rugs or curtains.