Page 14 - Designing Ways 259

TRADE WINDS

Keep it neutral: The

best colour palette

to attract buyers

Plascon

hile most estates have
recommended colour codes
Wwith regard to exterior colour
choices, for the most part, these tend
to sit within the neutral spectrum. The
options present as either a choice of a few
related colours, or one dominant colour cleanliness, there are off-whites, beiges,
for walls, with a matching accent colour greys and ‘greiges’ (a mix of grey and beige)
for trimmings. There are many reasons in a vast array of tones and hues. The great
for this, such as consistency of aesthetics thing about all of these colours is that they
across the development, but one main go with each other and with everything else
consideration is the potential resale value. - whatever the landscape, and whichever
While a certain individual might value choice of neutral the neighbouring homes
shocking pink walls, it is not a commonly are painted.
loved choice. It is safer and more practical If your estate is a new development
to choose paint colours that will be most that has yet to choose its colour palette,
effective in attracting the widest range of or if you’re an existing estate that wants
buyers and that won’t present them with to change its colour direction, then warm
the added cost of repainting if they don’t whites, beiges and greys are undoubtedly
like that bright pink, for example. the best options for painting exteriors to
You may look at the word ‘neutral’ and attract potential buyers. The Architectural
think it is limited to white, white and more Greys range from Plascon has a wonderful
white, but neutrals are much more nuanced selection of grey hues, like GR-Y06 Orchid
than that. Apart from white, which is still Bay, GR-Y04 Mandarin Tusk and GR-Y05
an incredibly popular choice due to its Antique Petal, that will create a sophisticated
heat reflecting ability and appearance of yet subtle appearance. In the Essential
Collection you’ll find a range of beiges and
off-whites, like 4 Salt Pebble, 7 Frothy Milk,
1 Evening Mist and 13 Alpaca, that provide darker charcoal and greys unless they are
warmth and make spaces feel welcoming. being used in small doses.
“Picking neutral colours is actually about ‘Natural’ is another word that we like to
more than just creating a blank canvas for use when looking at paint colours to best
potential buyers — they help make small attract new buyers. They can be incredibly
spaces look bigger and dark spaces brighter,” effective in creating a calm atmosphere
advises Caroline Ras of Plascon. which can help potential buyers feel
For estates that are south-facing or welcome on first viewing. There are
placed in the shadow of a mountain, and definitely benefits to bringing in subtle
where the homes are on the smaller side, touches of colour like 84 Light Sage, 92
white is a perfect choice of paint colour. Nutter Butter, G2-E2-1 Briar Green and
This is because white doesn’t absorb any O6-E1-3 Maple Tree to create depth and
light or warmth, it reflects light that comes counteract the starkness of whites and
its way to create the illusion of a bigger greys.
space. We recommend using Plascon’s In short, neutrals are the key to attracting
standard white to achieve a crisp white the largest possible pool of buyers, instead
look, or picking more subtle off-white of trying to appeal to a select few. By
colours like Ray of Light 07-A2-3 or GR- opening up estates to a bigger potential
Y05 Antique Petal. Black obviously does market, they help fuel demand and ensure
the complete opposite, absorbing light the appreciation in value. dw
and making spaces look smaller — which
is why we recommend steering away from www.plascon.co.za

14 Issue 259 • dw