2024 Paint Colors of the Year - Home Stager Edition

As the new year approaches, the top paint companies have all announced their picks for the 2024 color of the year and we must say they are bold and intriguing. While some are useful for interiors, some…not so much. But is that really the point of the paint companies’ choices? That’s why we are back at it again this year with our top paint color picks for 2024 as well.

Pantone and the other paint companies tend to predict the color based upon the culture of the world at the time. They use this information to forecast trends for the upcoming year. Color experts come from a wide range of design, cultural and geographical backgrounds to decide on a color that reflects society as a whole both culturally and emotionally. This doesn’t always mean it’s the perfect color for your living room. (I mean most people probably don’t want a family room painted in Pantone’s 2024 color Peach Fuzz, right?). It’s simply a color that is symbolic of cultural society at present day.

Our job as home stagers is to acknowledge the trend but recommend paint colors that will resonate with a wide audience and remain stylish for several years to come. Our homes should be a reflection of us, but when it comes time to sell your home, just know you will need to appeal to vast array of buyers. Careful selection of color choices will allow you to enjoy and reflect your style, while also inviting others to love it as much as you do.

Let’s be honest, 2024 colors selected by the paint companies are somewhat of a 1980s island theme, with all the variations of blue and coral. I have visions of Fantasy Island and The Golden Girls each time I see these colors. (Hats off to Behr & Dutch Boy for their moody hues with Cracked Pepper and Ironside!). As much as we want to be swept away to the tropics or re-live our childhood watching Blanche, Dorothy and Rose banter back and forth sitting on their coral and teal rattan sofa, we believe we should recommend a more realistic approach to paint colors. Colors that will be on-trend but also universal and pleasing to a wide audience.

In this post you will hear LRV mentioned quite a bit. LRV stands for “Light Reflective Value”. Each color has a number ranging from 0-100. The number represents how much light the color will take on, therefore possibly changing its appearance. In order to get a better understanding of this paradigm, think of a pure white as having an LVR of 100 and a true black as 0. So, the darker the color, the smaller the LRV number and the lighter the color, the higher. Darker colors soak up light and lighter colors reflect it just like a black shirt soaks up the warmth of sunshine while a white t-shirt can keep you cooler on a hot summer day.

Alright, let’s get to it, shall we? And our 2024 color picks are…….

Leigh - Sherwin Williams Iron Ore

I went with a bold move this year. I think I may have traveled to the dark side. Sherwin William’s Iron Ore is a standout neutral. Dark color is very on-trend right now and this color does not disappoint. With an LRV of 6 this color is very, very dark and to the naked eye comes across as a true black against a stark white. However, it’s more of a charcoal and has a nice warm feel (kind of like a warm hug). It pairs nicely with creamy whites, beiges and browns while allowing a neutral backdrop for any pops of color. It creates the drama one may want or need in an interior space or on the exterior of the home (loooove it paired with wood and stone on exteriors!) Inside the home consider using Iron Ore for trim, doors or accent walls. Or even try it in your powder room (ceiling too) for a dramatic flair. You will thank me later.

Picture via Sherwin Williams

Wendy - Benjamin Moore Rodeo

I painted my new modern mountain house Rodeo by Ben Moore, which started out as a compromise between myself (I wanted white) and my husband (wanted an actual color).  I was unsure at first, but now that I live in it, I'm amazed how much I love it.  Rodeo is a warm gray taupe that is a perfect compromise between gray and beige.  It's warm enough to go with natural wood tones and saddle leathers, but cool enough not to look muddy or brown. Its LRV sits almost neutral at 60 which means there’s not a lot of shift that happens. This is a fantastic neutral if you are unwilling to spend the $$ to update those natural wood floors or cabinets that look too orange with the more popular true grays.  Its a bit unassuming in the sea of color swatches you'll see in the retail store, and anything but when you put it on the wall. 

Picture via Benjamin Moore

Alison - Benjamin Moore Herb Garden

I love all things green - it’s “Nature’s Neutral” - and it’s one of the few colors that I can commit to in an interior space without too much hesitation. (My co-workers will tell you I tend to run from color). Benjamin Moore’s Herb Garden is the color that checks off all the boxes for me.  This color has an LRV of 17 so it is dark and holds its own with lighting. It will not sway. It’s the perfect balance:  not too deep and dreary - and not too pale and pastel (gasp!)  The cast is right where I like green to be - fresh, earthy, leafy - and not too blue.  At that point it just starts to look like the color of the Philadelphia Eagles - and as the wife of a New York Giants fan, we can’t have that.  

Picture courtesy of Noz Design

Kim - Sherwin Williams drift of mist

Looking for a nice neutral? Sherwin William’s Drift of Mist is my choice for this year. It’s not your normal, boring gray. However, its a little complex (aren’t we all?), because it is neither cool nor warm. It can wave back and forth, depending on what it is paired with in your fixed elements of the home like countertops and flooring. (Hmmm…sounds a lot like what I tell my kids happens with certain friends they hang out with the most). It’s LRV is 69 which means it is heading toward the lighter end of the scale. It makes for a great whole house neutral allowing for just enough pop with the white trim. If you’ve been a fan of Agreeable Gray (which isn’t very agreeable sometimes!), you will LOVE Drift of Mist. It’s lighter and brighter. It also has a little bit of a green undertone so if you love all the dark green tones that are trendy right now (swoon!), this color will look stunning with it. But you will find that it compliments many colors as well. As a result, it makes sense to paint your whole house a color that will withstand the ever-changing trendy colors in your decor. If you don’t want to commit to sterile white/cream walls but you don’t want gray or beige either - Drift of Mist is for you!

Picture courtest of The Creativity Exchange

Laura - Sherwin Williams Pewter Green

Is it a greyish green? Is it a greenish grey? I don’t know, but I am obsessed! With an LRV of just 12, this surprisingly neutral hue by Sherwin Williams is on the dark side, but still manages to keep things light. Pewter Green is extremely flexible, complimenting Grand Millennial’s busy wallpapers, Modern Farmhouse’s warm beiges, and Boho’s light wood tones. This color chameleon swings from soft and romantic to complex and moody (kind of like me!). In 2023, it has taken center stage on my kitchen island, made a grand entrance on my exterior doors (paired with pinkish brick, it’s a chef’s kiss!) and may soon make a guest appearance in my spare bedroom (get it - guest appearance?). With the number of compliments I have received, I think we will be seeing a lot of this color in 2024.

Picture via Sherwin Williams

Marlo - Benjamin Moore Sweet Basil

Benjamin Moore’s Sweet Basil is a classic color that works great with modern or traditional decor. It’s moody, soothing and it brings nature indoors. For someone like myself who loves to be outdoors hiking the trails, this color brings the feel of nature indoors. With an LRV of 13, it’s on the darker side making it moody and soothing but not so dark you feel like you’re in a cave. It’s a good color to create a pop for an accent wall or a powder room (we love to have a little creative fun in powder rooms!). It pairs so well with natural wood bringing more of that outside inside vibe to any space. It pairs well with blacks and creamy whites without bringing out any yellow undertones.

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Miriam - SW Silvermist

Last but not least, let’s nod toward the paint companies’ efforts for their Caribbean flair, but in a nice neutral way. Silvermist was the August 2023 Color of the month choice for Sherwin Williams and is my color of choice for those wanting a coastal, modern vibe to their home. This color evokes an ocean feel but in a neutral way. With an LRV of 47, it falls in the medium-dark category. Its soft blue, green hues pair nicely with most beiges and grays, while standing out on its own. You can pair it with just about any of the other colors mentioned by our staff. Silvermist adds coastal, casual, calmness to any space whether it be an accent wall, the main feature or just in accessories to lighten up darker spaces. Sorry paint companies, but this is my pick for island serenity as I dream of breezy ocean air.

Picture courtesy of Sherwin Williams

That’s a wrap with our 2024 paint colors. Though each of our colors were chosen individually, collectively we all leaned toward green undertones. That must say something about trend worthy design!

Whether you are selling or staying in your home, it’s important to acknowledge trends while staying neutral in your paint selections. You can have more fun, and less expense, with trendy colors through your accessorizing - so go out and buy that Persimmon pillow but don’t paint your wall that color!

We strongly encourage homeowners to sample these colors (or any for that matter) in their own homes as light and fixed elements play a huge role in how a paint color appears in a home. No one wants to waste time or money so it’s important to get it right. If you are looking for a refresh in your home, but don’t know where to begin, we offer Color Consultations for selling AND living! Just go online and book your appointment today.

Let us shine a spotlight on your home!

How to Light up Your Life

Many people are choosing LED lights for their homes these days, but many have no clue where to start when shopping for LED bulbs. We’ve got some great resources and tips for you to figure out just how you can light up your life with cool products that are available.

Proper lighting is essential to create ambiance and enhance online photos. We are consistently asked about what type of bulb to purchase. The way to go these days is definitely LED bulbs. BUT they can be so confusing to shop for when you are unfamiliar with LED terminology such as lumens. Kristie Barnett, the Decorologist, has a helpful guide to wade through the myriad of options in LED lighting and WHY you should replace the bulbs in your home. Read it here. There she delves into the color (temperature) of LED bulbs and she also breaks down the conversion of watts to lumens for the brightness level of a room.

Sufficient lighting can be a huge problem when a home was not built with overhead lighting into rooms. There may be a switch attached to an outlet in the room that you can use to turn on a lamp, but that switch could be inconveniently located. Or better yet, one lamp just may not put out enough light for the entire room. One of our lead stagers, Kim Jones, found a cost effective solution to this problem in her own home. In the video below she demonstrates how you can light up a room with new smart bulb technology even when you don’t have overhead lighting. Take a look:

Say no to dark rooms and turn on the lights! Lighting technology has come a long way in the past five years. There’s so many cool products out there that provide the right light no matter your problem or area. Better lighting can increase your mood and your productivity levels. AND its especially helpful to have sufficient lighting when selling your home!

C by GE Smart Home Bundle Pack - 2 Smart LED Bulbs and Wire-Free Smart Dimmer Switch (2 LED A19 Tunable White Smart Light Bulbs + Wire-Free Smart Dimmer Switch + Color Control), Bluetooth Light Bulbs Buy on Amazon

Why Stage A Home in a Seller's Market?

COVID brought on a myriad of shortages for 2021. The shortage of homes for sale has caused the real estate market to just go a little crazy, to say the least. It’s definitely a sellers’ market with little inventory and over the top bidding wars. Many are scoffing at the idea of home staging in this market because they think buyers are desperate to find homes. While this is true, we have many examples and statistics as to why you may want to consider the small investment in home staging before listing your home in today’s market. There may be money left on the table if you don’t…

The shortage of inventory is causing record multiple offers above asking price on homes. But just because it’s a seller’s market, does that mean any home will sell for multiple offers above asking price? The short answer - no. If a home has not been updated in over a decade, do not expect it to compete in today’s “crazy over listing price” market. Yes, it may sell but it won’t bring in top dollar due to the sheer fact the buyer will calculate in all those updates that need to be done.

In today’s market, your first step toward curb appeal is your online presence.

Pictures say a thousand words and in the real estate world it is the buyers’ first impression of any home. If your pictures don’t “wow” the client, it’s unlikely they will schedule a showing. If your pictures show years of neglect on updates, then you won’t see that high offer on day one. The buyer will simply move on to another home online.

Home sold in 2 days after staging!

Home staging allows the buyer to visualize themselves in the home.

According to the new 2021 survey from the National Association of Realtors®, eighty-two percent (82%) of buyer’s agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. If the buyer feels like it’s home, their desire for the house will drive their offer. This report also revealed that staging increased the sum buyers were willing to spend for a property. Twenty-three percent (23%) of buyers' agents said that home staging raised the dollar value offered between 1% and 5%, compared to similar homes on the market that hadn't been staged. Coincidentally, the same percentage of seller’s agents (23%) stated they received between 1% and 5% higher offers on home that had been staged. Let’s do the math on that, shall we:

Amounts are approximate depending on area you reside, size of home, and value of home. Home consultations are a service that provides you with a list of needed updates/repairs that the homeowner should consider. Full service staging is bringing in furniture for a vacant home. Both avenues give a nice return on investment.

So based on the math, you don’t lose money. You make back your investment plus gain an extra profit - the amount depends on your list price, and whether the home has been properly prepared.

Real estate agents have good reason to stage too

Don’t sacrifice your proven, repeatable systems even in this strong sellers’ market. That includes professional photography AND staging. This sellers’ market will not last forever, and it’s important to show how you differentiate yourself and your listings from other Real Estate Agents.

Don’t forget that a home that sells for more also increases YOUR commission, in addition to adding to the equity in your sellers’ home.

If you are a homeowner and/or realtor in the Northern Virginia area, take a look at this video that Owner, Leigh Newport, made in February. She makes great points to support the reasons behind staging in a sellers’ market.

It stands to say that the small investment in home staging can bring in a nice return on investment (ROI). In the past we’ve always referred to home staging being less than your first price reduction. In today’s market, you’ve got to consider the amount of money you are leaving at the table by NOT staging. Go ahead - be the best house on the block!

Interested in more tips and advice about home staging? Porch.com has a great Q&A article from home stagers around the country (including our very own Leigh Newport!). Check it out here: Real Estate Photography, Home & Virtual Staging Q & A: Tips & Advice

If you need help being the best, book an online appointment with us and allow us to shine a spotlight on your home!

How to Bring Spring Into Your Home

Spring is just around the corner. And with the warmer weather comes the desire to freshen up our homes. It’s not just about Spring cleaning but we crave to give our home decor a lighter, brighter facelift. Gone are the dark days of winter and bring on the sunshine in our homes. We’ve got five ways to bring spring into your home without breaking the bank. Little touches like these will bring the spring vibe inside and hopefully not cause spring allergies like the outside.

Pillows Pack a Punch

Consider buying new throw pillows in light, airy colors and patterns. Just say no to the heavy fur or textures because spring vibes need soft colors to bring a sense of clean to a space. You will be amazed how new pillows can give life to a tired sofa or bed!

Fresh Florals

Whether your florals are real or faux, fresh, new flowers and greenery help bring the outside into your home. Florals have come a long way in the past few years to the point now that many require a double take to tell if they are indeed faux. Consider some simple floral stems in a vase for your dining centerpiece. Or try out your green thumb and add a new houseplant to your home. Spring will be represented with small touches like this around your home.

New Linens

With the onset of warmer temperatures and gorgeous sunshine, many fall into the spring cleaning frenzy. New linens to your bedroom and bathroom can evoke that fresh clean feeling into your home. Don’t be afraid of white linens - particularly towels. They wash well and can be bleached to keep brilliantly white.

Mirrors are Magical

Consider replacing darker wall art with a mirror. Mirrors can bounce light into a room therefore causing the room to look bigger, lighter and brighter. Such a small change with such a great impact!

Add some Curb Appeal

Small touches such as a new doormat and some beautiful flowers accenting your doorway create a fresh spring vibe for you and your guests as soon as they arrive. Both give off a clean, polished look - but make sure those winter cobwebs are all cleaned up around that entryway too. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, consider a fresh new paint color for your front door (but make sure your HOA approves before preceding)

Bringing a little spring into your home doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. These five cost effective ideas will certainly allow spring to come alive indoors and create a ray of sunshine into your home. If you’re looking to refresh your space we offer redesign services. We design and find the products, then you choose and purchase at your own time that fits your budget. It’s a cost-effective way to get design help and inspiration without breaking the bank. You can schedule an appointment online at your convenience.

Let us shine a spotlight on your home!