By: Guest Author, Virginia REALTORS^® Project Manager & Content Manager, Laura Jones

An eye-catching neutral. The concept is a bit of an oxymoron, but it can work!

Not only can it work, but it can be outstanding when used the right way—especially when clients are looking to spruce up their homes to put them on the market. In recent years the neutral color shift has gone from the ever-popular “builder beige” to the transitional “greige” and now into a full-fledged gray takeover. For some properties and homeowners, that color scheme (or lack thereof) just won’t do. In those cases, suggest an eye-catching neutral!

Hazel is an excellent option for a crowd-pleasing neutral color. It is warm, inviting, and pushes the boundaries past beige and into an ever-so-slightly more exciting area. This color is great for anything from just painting an accent wall, entry doors, or even an entire room! It complements other colors well and fits into a variety of décor themes.

Black and white work well as bold neutrals. Again, this sounds like an even BIGGER oxymoron, but the contrasting combination can make a serious visual impact. This timeless and traditional duo works well for paint colors, flooring, accent rugs, throw pillows, and more.

When advising clients on how to prep their homes for the market, consider leaning them toward using bold neutrals instead of a plain whites or grays. Listing photos and curb appeal can be boosted simply by opting to enhance an area with color or color a combination that has mass appeal and yet still makes a statement.