What color paint do you use for rental property kitchens?

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What color paint do you use for rental property kitchens?

Chris L.
Triangle NC · Member since 2016 · 136 posts · 11 votes

HI all, I have a rental house with a kitchen that needs to be repainted. It was originally white and I"m thinking of keeping it that color; however, I know what color was originally used. Is there a particular white that you use for your rental properties that doesnt look yellow? The kitchen has white cabinets-most likely a decorators white color-and the formica is that old pale beige/mauve look. Trying to figure out the following:

1. If I stick with white what would be the best color white for walls and trim-dont want it to look yellow but also dont want it to look stark. Any suggestions?

2. If I paint it a color, is there a color that you have found goes with most other colors or have been successful with? What color trim would you use with this color?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. 

Mary

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Jackson Carr
Investor · Napa, CA · Member since 2016 · 82 posts · 42 votes
9y

My personal preference that I use in all my units is a light grey. IMHO it adds more to the space, and goes well with white trim, white or dark cabinets, and stainless steel appliances, white doors and jams, etc.

Good luck on your choices.

Jack

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  • Ryan MurdockPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    I've been using a lot of "Navajo White" as of late. Looks good and pretty much goes with everything. For trim I usually stick with plain white. 

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    1Reply
  • Thomas Giganti
    Investor · Damascus, MD · Member since 2016 · 53 posts · 10 votes
    9y
    I've used accessible beige which went very well with my white cabinets. Good luck!
    1Reply
  • Jackson Carr
    Investor · Napa, CA · Member since 2016 · 82 posts · 42 votes
    9y

    My personal preference that I use in all my units is a light grey. IMHO it adds more to the space, and goes well with white trim, white or dark cabinets, and stainless steel appliances, white doors and jams, etc.

    Good luck on your choices.

    Jack

    3Reply
  • Chris L.
    OP
    Triangle NC · Member since 2016 · 136 posts · 11 votes
    9y

    Jackson Carr, who makes light grey?

    0Reply
  • Michael Herr
    Peoria, IL · Member since 2011 · 365 posts · 182 votes
    9y

    I like to use the same colors over and over again. 
    I never paint white. Nobody likes white except painters (job security)
    I use the colors: anew grey(light grey), olivewood (green/grey color), and a tan color that I colormatched years ago. Doesn't have a name, but I have the numbers that paint mix computer needs.

    Some people say to only use one color. I like a little variety and can't get one color to work perfect in all situations. 
    Not a huge deal for me to store 3 five gallon buckets. 
    Every time I paint I pour a bit of paint into a labeled glass jar and leave it in the basement for touch-ups. 

    Olivewood goes well with my standard kitchen remodel. Fake granite laminate, cherrywood color cabinets at local discount store and on sale glass tiles at home depot. Greyish porcelain floor tiles from home Depot. 

    2Reply
  • Jackson Carr
    Investor · Napa, CA · Member since 2016 · 82 posts · 42 votes
    9y
    Mary L. Go ahead and PM me. I will stop by my shop today and look at that exact color. I can send you a picture as well of the kitchen and the color matches. Jack
    1Reply
  • Kim Meredith HamptonBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · St Petersburg · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    The new hot color is in the grey family 

    On a side note, there are companies that can install granite right over your Formica countertops if you are looking to upgrade, and if the market can bear an increase

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  • Jesse M.
    Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 60 posts · 45 votes
    9y

    1. Behr Premium Plus Ultra - Snowy Pine

    2. Depends on many factors, but something either light grey or beige. I used something called Riviera Sand. It helps the white trim pop and gives good contrast to medium-brown cabs and dark granite.

    1Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    9y

    I use whatever I have on my shelf that is the correct sheen (semi-gloss in a kitchen, obviously) and goes well with the counters, flooring and cabinets.

    Get quality mis-tints when you're at the box store.  I haven't had a gallon of paint mixed in a store in years!  $40 gals for $10. No flat for rentals.  I'm an addict! 

    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2016 · 736 posts · 582 votes
    9y
    Glidden Speedwall White Base (its semi-gloss). $60 for a 5 gallon bucket.
    1Reply
  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    9y

    Use the same colour on all walls through out a rental, contractor beige is common. Buy it by the 5 gal pail and do quick touch ups in every unit between tenants.

    1Reply
  • Samantha Klein
    Investor · Monroe, WI · Member since 2015 · 691 posts · 610 votes
    9y

    I use Medici Gray from Walmart, it's a nice lighter gray that goes well with white trim. 

    2Reply
  • Jim Adrian
    Architect · Papillion, NE · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 840 votes
    9y

    Color is subjective.  Its hard to give you colors when we don't know the colors of other things in the room like floors and countertops, doors, etc.  Staying neutral is the best way to go whether its beige or grays. Simiplifying the color palatte in the house will help out when repaiting.

    1Reply
  • Erin K.
    Professional · Loudonville, OH · Member since 2015 · 125 posts · 37 votes
    9y

    Here is a before and after of our last renovation. Top pic has our go-to color on the walls - Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore, with Ben Moore's Dove White for the trim.  I think the contrast with white trim and color on the walls makes an incredible difference in the "warmth" of a room.  For kitchens, we use Restoration Hardware's Silver Sage color. I will see if I can find a pic of that and post it below. We get lots of positive feedback about out paint colors.  Good luck!  

    1Reply
  • Samantha Klein
    Investor · Monroe, WI · Member since 2015 · 691 posts · 610 votes
    9y

    @Erin K. Looks great. What flooring did you use for that unit? What I mean is, what brand and where did you purchase it?

    0Reply
  • Erin K.
    Professional · Loudonville, OH · Member since 2015 · 125 posts · 37 votes
    9y

    Thanks. We usually use the snap-together vinyl plank - I bought 1,500 sq ft on sale at Home Depot on Black Friday - LOL. This particular house, however, is a bank from the late 1800's, so we sanded down and refinished the original oak (I think - def a hardwood) floors. They are gorgeous.

    1Reply
  • Erin K.
    Professional · Loudonville, OH · Member since 2015 · 125 posts · 37 votes
    9y

    Here is our go-to kitchen color - Restoration Hardware's Silver Sage.  I love this one!  

    0Reply
  • Gail K.
    Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    I'm a Navajo White person also.   Has a slight greenish tint to it.   I used to use "oopsie" paint in our rentals...except if you run out of it you have to start from scratch again if there's even a slight need to retouch an area.

    Now with one color for every rental I don't have to guess what color to have mixed up to use whether I'm repainting an entire house after a move out or just doing touch up work.

    I've found that often, it doesn't matter what color you'll use.  You might be standing there with a dripping paint brush in your hand and a certain number of folks viewing the place will ask you "can I paint?".

    Gail

    0Reply
  • Chuy Gonzalez
    Investor · Long Beach, CA · Member since 2012 · 313 posts · 190 votes
    9y

    i use ceiling white in all the living areas ceilings except kitchen an bath. For the walls...i forget what it's called, but like an almond color. i used semi gloss in all the living areas except bath and kitchen. i paint the bath in all the same color almond, except high gloss, and the kitchens i paint the same high gloss as the bath, except i paint the cieling gloss white. home depot has a glidden 440 alkyd paint that is tough and almost as good as old oil paints. i use the same colors for everything...In my last appartment renovation, i didnt have to buy a drop of paint, i used old paints i had that still worked...lol...I guess that makes me a landlord if i just have a garage full of old paint, countertops, mini blind spare parts, etc.

    0Reply
  • Geoffrey Schnake
    Property Manager · Saint Petersburg, FL · Member since 2016 · 113 posts · 87 votes
    9y

    Lol. we paint one wall of every kitchen a dark green. the background color of pre 2000 us 20 dollar bills. I don't know why but every unit we have done this with has turned out to be a winner ,  either as a flip or rental unit. we do them all that way now. the rest of the walls get light yellow . 

    0Reply
  • Erin K.
    Professional · Loudonville, OH · Member since 2015 · 125 posts · 37 votes
    9y

    @Geoffrey Schnake - I would be interested to see a picture of a room with the color combo you are talking about if you have any.  

    0Reply
  • Dante Pirouz
    Investor · Almont, MI · Member since 2015 · 361 posts · 302 votes
    9y

    We always use white...it looks very clean when showing, is easy to clean and patch and you don't have to worry about matching the color down the road which is a pain...no one has the same taste in colors so it is not worth making a splashy statement in a rental...at least in my market.

    0Reply
  • Dante Pirouz
    Investor · Almont, MI · Member since 2015 · 361 posts · 302 votes
    9y

    And we tend to do something interesting with the tile for the backsplash to make the kitchen look upgraded...like subway tile or glass mosaic...that stands out nicely against the all white paint.

    0Reply
  • Dennis Nemitz
    Billings, MT · Member since 2013 · 102 posts · 11 votes
    9y

    Contractors tan, from home depot.

    0Reply
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