Does all white paint look cheap on a 70s house

Question

I'm planning my first flip now. I've noticed that the all white wall +white cabinet+black hardwares is really popular. most of the new constructions that are selling fast are using this.

I've decieded to use white shaker cabinet (maybe two tones)+black haredware+oak color floor. but not pretty sure about the wall color. if I do pure white/extra white for the wall. two things that i'm concerned about. first, there is no contrast bewteen the cabinet and the wall; second, a 70's house is low ceiling, less natural light, texured on the ceiling (kind of porpcorn ceiling). I doubt it might looks cheap.

what are your recommendations for the wall color in this situaiton? could you please advice? Thank you.

Alan F. · Answer

Flipping is a business, you want to appeal to the largest group of buyers possible, low DOM. Comps are always your best friend. An old expression in flipping is "normal sells" Build a quality product that sells fast, you're not buying it, you're selling it.

Patricia Steiner · Answer

White interiors/exteriors are in high demand and perceived as more upscale and modern. But that's the 'right white' - as the 'wrong white' can be blinding and some even look like unpainted drywall. The lighting matters a lot too. I recommend Alabaster; it's a creamy white that looks white without the glare or blue hue. I recommend doing an online search of 'what white paint colors do designers use' and you'll get some tried and true options. If you're looking for a modern look and/or a way to light up a dark space, white is the right choice when it's the right white. Nothing is easy...

Hope this helps...

Jake Kain · Answer

Hi Lily,

There has been a lot of great advice in here so far. We've done white/white in flips and our airbnb and it can look very clean. The only thing I would caution is make sure you are getting paint swatches before committing to the color. There are hundreds of shades of white, make sure to find one that doesn't look yellowish against your cabinets and has similar warmth to your floor color. Check in all lighting conditions as well. Here's a shot of our kitchen from our airbnb with similar color scheme you just described. The image quality is poor because of the upload, but you get the idea!

Bill B. · Answer

I find all white stressful and harsh. When I started investing in Las Vegas every single builder painted every wall white, heck I lived in one for more than 5 years. While shopping for another property I walked in to a home with “nomadic taupe” from D&E and it was just relaxing, like I had been living in a hospital.

TLDR: try a tan or even light blue, anything but white walls. That being said. I don’t think buyers notice it when shopping, only when living there. At least that was the case for me until I made the mistake.

Bill J Fay · Answer

White will look clean and fresh to most buyers. You can opt to a 2-tone color scheme with white for doors, trim, ceiling, and an off-white gray for the walls.

Jonathan R McLaughlin · Answer

the thing about all/mostly white is that even if people don't like it they can still imagine it looking like the way they want it to look.

Alan F. · Answer

Common colors for retail flips; Agreeable grey, was an east coast "thing" for many years but has moved west more now. Navajo white was a western thing typically.  Many west coast buyers are already burned out on gray and we're seeing Navajo white coming back (it's just beige FWIW) paint ceiling white as it gives optical illusion of higher ceilings. What matters is clean "cut in" at paint lines. Again if you're flipping to actually make money, appealing to the widest buying market is key. Ask yourself, what would a builder/developer do?

Angela Martinez · Answer

I second alabaster! It is absolutely one of my favorite colors to use. It is a soft white. I always do an analysis of what other Flips are doing and how fast they're moving, but something that worked in this area was tricorn black on the doors alabaster throughout the house, and trims. (Bay Area Flip)

Lily Wang · Answer

Thank you Patricia. I will keep alabaster in mind.

Does all white paint look cheap on a 70s house

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