Most experts advise luxury property owners to choose paint colors based on architectural styles, but what are the benefits of doing it?
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) researched the impact of full interior and individual room paint jobs. It showed that most homeowners “have a greater desire” of being home after completing the project.
Top real estate brokers such as Groupe Mercure, Hawai’i Life and OKAY.COM also believe that well-chosen paint colors do more than just convey a luxurious vibe.
Here are expert insights on choosing the best paint colors based on three architectural styles.
Gray-hued trim lends a contemporary note to this 1920s apartment in Paris, between the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Boulevard du Montparnasse (Groupe Mercure)
Contemporary Designs
Contemporary homes emerged in style as early as 1950, according to the NAR’s style guide.
Not much has changed over the years with the appearance of contemporary-style homes. Flat-roof and gabled homes remain the two of the most common designs for contemporary luxury properties.
Exposed beams often distinguish gabled houses from flat-roof designs. Groupe Mercure suggests bold paint colors for the interiors of contemporary properties.
Bright-red accent pieces and contemporary street art by Invader stand out inside this industrial-vibe mansion in Paris.
For example, homeowners can use bright red for lounge areas. The vibrant color would sharply contrast with the usual black, gray and white found in contemporary homes.
Homeowners can also choose an offbeat shade of red. It doesn’t have to be the centerpiece either, like how the interior of a private mansion in Paris elegantly scattered red accents and furniture.
Thailand’s abundant resources of top-quality wood, bamboo and other related natural materials are often incorporated into interior designs.
Country-Specific Styles
OKAY.COM suggests rich and vibrant colors for country-specific architectural styles like those in typical Thai houses.
Traditional hues include bronze, gold, green and purple that can be combined with red for eye-catching designs. When repainting the walls of a luxury house, most homeowners in Hong Kong use white for a modern touch.
White ceilings or walls help with creating a clean-lined aesthetic in a luxury home’s interior, according to OKAY.COM. In some prime properties, elegant wooden furniture does the trick.
Wood details are used to create a clean-lined look inside this coveted Hong Kong apartment. (OKAY.com)
One example is a renovated one-bedroom home in Happy Valley, Hong Kong. The flooring and structural elements use wood for the clean-line effect.
Clean lines in architecture mean designs that follow a continuous pattern without being broken or interrupted. You can imagine it as a home design that flows freely inside, unlike most Western styles that use specific patterns.
If you aren’t keen on using traditional Thai-style colors, choose darker hues such as oak or teak as alternatives.
Some properties, like this award-winning design on Maui, may also infuse a mix of architectural styles. (Hawaii Life)
Mediterranean Houses
Anna Severson of Hawai’i Life says that while Mediterranean homes use different colors, the most common choices include:
- Blue and lavender for arched doorways
- Off-white color for walls
- Red-tiled roofs
A typical Mediterranean-style house also uses red clay bricks and other earth tones to achieve a distinct appearance, according to Severson.
Colorful trim plays up the details of this mountaintop estate designed by Nishikawa Architects. Clay roof tiles further the chateau-like vibe.
In Hawaii, architects and designers use custom variations of Mediterranean blue. Severson says that you are unlikely to find Mediterranean houses in the state that use pthalo blue or turquoise.
Some properties may also infuse a mix of architectural styles, like this award-winning mountaintop design on Maui by Nishikawa Architects. Inspired by the works of C.W. Dickey, the grand estate evokes a hilltop chateau with its use of Italian and Mediterranean styles.
Many homeowners will look to upgrade their homes as strong market activity continues.
Home Improvements Amid Slower Price Growth
Residential property prices worldwide are expected to see continued increases in 2022, although at a slower pace than the preceding year, according to Fitch Ratings.
Many luxury homeowners use periods of increased downtime to complete upgrades or improvement projects before putting a property on the market.
Fitch Ratings identified a persistent shortage of houses as one factor for a continued yet slower increase in prices.
The Takeaway
Contemporary, country-specific and Mediterranean styles each require different color combinations. Their common theme, however, harmonizes neutral and vibrant shades.
Still undecided on which paint colors to use? If you’re staging a house, check out a curated list of brokers that can solve your problem.
