Interior Paint for Rentals

[Jessica Acosta]

Hello, we are near ready to pick the paint for our duplex. We have low ceilings and it has less natural light that comes in. What paint would you suggest to make it feel more open and bright? Shade, brand, sheen - let me know your thoughts. 

Thanks in advance. 

[Account Closed]

If you’d like to visually make the ceilings seem higher with paint alone, you could paint the ceiling the SAME color as the walls in that space. I’m an interior designer and that’s a trick I like to use. Example attached below:

I know it seems counterintuitive but in practice it works. In terms of paint color- I tend to choose paints last based on the rest of the architectural finishes. My favorite paint manufacturer however is sherwin williams. For mass appeal rentals I like light and airy with a subtle accent wall here and there. Swiss coffee is a pretty, warm white. Grays in general look dated, taupes and beiges with less yellow undertones are what people are responding to now. For sheens: eggshell for main body of the house and bedrooms, semi gloss in kitchen and restrooms. Hope that helps! 

[Bruce Woodruff]

We used to use 3 colors - a beige/tan (flat) for the walls, swiss coffee (satin or eggshell) for the trim like molding,  basic 0001 white for ceilings (flat, although some people use eggshell in kitchens and baths for rentals)

The best quality is going be Behr Marquee, the pigment count is higher than any other brands. Although it is $50 a gallon, it pays for itself both in initial coverage and durability...

[Account Closed]

If you’d like to visually make the ceilings seem higher with paint alone, you could paint the ceiling the SAME color as the walls in that space. I’m an interior designer and that’s a trick I like to use. Example attached below:

I know it seems counterintuitive but in practice it works. In terms of paint color- I tend to choose paints last based on the rest of the architectural finishes. My favorite paint manufacturer however is sherwin williams. For mass appeal rentals I like light and airy with a subtle accent wall here and there. Swiss coffee is a pretty, warm white. Grays in general look dated, taupes and beiges with less yellow undertones are what people are responding to now. For sheens: eggshell for main body of the house and bedrooms, semi gloss in kitchen and restrooms. Hope that helps! 

[Bruce Woodruff]

Quote from @Account Closed:

If you’d like to visually make the ceilings seem higher with paint alone, you could paint the ceiling the SAME color as the walls in that space. I’m an interior designer and that’s a trick I like to use. Example attached below:

A good trick. I worked with high-end designers and they would add a few drops of the wall color to the white ceiling paint to get that effect. It doesn't take much.

[Scott E.]

Not a popular opinion but I like Sherwin Williams extra white in eggshell sheen everywhere. Walls, ceilings, trim. Same color same sheen everywhere. It's super clean. It goes with any style of architecture or furniture. And it's easy for the painters.

[Zachary Chart]

Hey there I have a paint business here in Maine if you are looking to have this done at a good rate let me know I am 30 minutes from Portland. JH Paint 

[Bruce Woodruff]

Quote from @Scott E.:

Not a popular opinion but I like Sherwin Williams extra white in eggshell sheen everywhere. Walls, ceilings, trim. Same color same sheen everywhere. It's super clean. It goes with any style of architecture or furniture. And it's easy for the painters.

 For a rental doesn't really matter....cheap, quick, easy....!

[Ray Hage]

IMO, it depends on the quality of the rental and tenants. You will want to go with Behr if it is a higher end rental and choose lighter colors.... and for a lower end, you can go with just all white (I like the Glidden Premium Flat at $20/gal).

[Colleen F.]

@Jessica Acosta  Use good paint. It covers better, it makes less mess (not drippy thin) and it holds up better.  I use Sherwin williams. We use a warm off white since the floors and trim are oak and grey just looks bad/dark.  Eggshell/ Less sheen you see imperfections less.  Satin or Semi for trim.   Your floor and trim color makes a big difference when you paint the walls.  White ceilings since they have strips and I don't want to paint them every time. 

[Jim Rivell]

For those on this thread, have you noticed certain paint jobs on homes doing better/worse in appraisal? Curious if painting a home all 1 color affects ARV or does a new paint job make it look good enough to appraise well?

[Bill B.]

Man. Anyone that says all white should have to live in one. My first home was an all white builders special. I lived there for 8 years before I bought another place with nomadic taupe walls. It was so relaxing. I hadn’t realized how much stress all white puts on you. It’s like living in a hospital. So stark and sterile. 

[Thomas Oliver]

@Jessica Acosta I use Sherman Williams Super paint. It cleans much easier.

I take the time to trim in white and Lazy Grey walls. Both colors are in Satin. It really helps making a old place pop. It has helped me rent some places that looked rough on the out side but looked good on the inside due to a coat of paint. The most important thing. Is the good paint Job helped me get top rents. Paint is very important.

[Ray Hage]

Quote from @Bill B.:

Man. Anyone that says all white should have to live in one. My first home was an all white builders special. I lived there for 8 years before I bought another place with nomadic taupe walls. It was so relaxing. I hadn’t realized how much stress all white puts on you. It’s like living in a hospital. So stark and sterile. 

I guess I am taking my punishment well! Haha. My house is all white inside and yes I really do like it.