This Controversial Interior Paint Color Is My All-Time Favorite
I moved into my house after my divorce. The day I moved in, every room had white walls. Four years later, those walls are still white. I didn’t have the energy or the motivation to contemplate paint color at the time, and now I love them.
In my previous home, which my ex and I sold during the divorce, I’d made different choices. I picked out a springy blue for the kitchen and living room; I based my choice on a bedroom in Downton Abbey, which was a favorite show of mine at the time. I thought the sky blue helped the shady house feel bright, and the color complemented my furniture. When it came time to sell, the real estate team suggested we paint the walls Sherwin Williams’ Agreeable Gray and we agreed. It looked nice, if a little bland, but I didn’t care. We sold the house quickly, and I moved on — literally and emotionally.
One of the most surreal experiences I’ve had as a writer was in that new house. An outlet sent a professional photography team out to take pictures of me looking sad in my house for an article I wrote about my divorce. They had professional lights, reflectors, and diffusers and wandered all over my home scouting out spots to set up. They kept remarking, over and over, about how much they loved my “gallery white walls.”
But while the photographers gushed over the white paint on my walls, numerous trend forecasters, design experts, and real estate pros have suggested that the neutral of all neutrals has never been as “out” of fashion as it is right now.
Are white walls “out”?
It depends on who you ask — but some real estate pros have suggested that neutral colors like white are out, in particular in bathroom spaces. “Clients are now leaning toward softer, curated looks,” Diana Melichar, president of Melichar Architects, previously told Apartment Therapy. The new neutrals — at least in bathrooms — that people seem to be leaning behind include earth tones and rose tones.
Indeed, the 2025 colors of the year from brands like Sherwin Williams and Pantone include a deep plum; a caramel terracotta brown; a teal blue; a deep, not-quite navy blue; and an off-sage green.
So, are the white walls that inject my home with brightness really out? Or is this an instance where buyer trends don’t match up with home owner trends?
I asked Jesse Dill, Realtor at Premiere Property Group, LLC, about paint trends. When it comes to white paint, Dill says, “White is definitely not ‘out.’ It’s a timeless, neutral choice that makes spaces feel brighter and larger, and can be a safe solution for some sellers when prepping a home for sale. While some trends lean toward warmer tones, white still appeals to buyers looking for a blank canvas to personalize.”
It’s important for potential buyers to be able to picture themselves and their things in any house, so neutral can be preferred.
Some of the darker paint trends might be great for when you own a home and can put your own personalized stamp on it.
Alternatives to all-white walls for selling
“Soft neutrals, like light grays, warm taupes, and subtle greens are popular right now and help make spaces feel inviting’” Dill says, as he looks at it from a buying and selling perspective. “Bold or dark colors can be a turnoff, as they may limit a buyer’s imagination. Neutral tones work best for a larger appeal.”
However, he said, “a completely white interior can feel a bit cold. So adding a few warm accents is a good idea.” My house happens to be in the shade, and certain rooms don’t have a ton of natural light during most of the day. However, there is a lot of warm wood along the windows and even on the ceiling in two rooms, which does keep it feeling cozy.
As with the house I sold, Agreeable Gray or another neutral might not be my personal style, and Dill said, when planning interior paint before a sale, “Ultimately, it might not reflect what a buyer ends up doing with the home,” but if it gets the house sold, so be it.
How to pick the right interior paint colors to sell your home
Whether you’re thinking of future sales or trying to create something that feels right for the home you currently live in, “The key is choosing colors that complement the home’s style and neighborhood,” Dill says. He suggests “to start by taking a look at what other homes in your neighborhood are doing. Check out Pinterest or Instagram for ideas, or ask a professional like myself for advice. Don’t just pick your color from the paint color swatches you gather at the paint store.
Once you have a few colors in mind, try out some samples on your walls to see how they look with your lighting and furniture before making a final decision. That includes when you’re considering a neutral such as white, as the way the light hits it can dictate warmth versus a more austere look.
While bright white walls throughout the house might not be making headlines when it comes to interior paint trends, I don’t care. Chasing trends is not high on my priority list when it comes to my house. I love my white walls and it is nice to know that, even though I have no intention of moving, when I do I won’t need to redo the entire inside of my house like I did last time.
Further Reading
I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered
See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
