How to Recommend Colors to Painting Clients

Paint Colors for Property Managers

It's not all just white and white.

When it comes to painting, color can be scary. The fear of alienating a tenant with the wrong color can send some property managers into a color-free "safe zone" of all-white rooms with all-white trim. But white is never just white. With 115 shades of white in the Dunn-Edwards Perfect Palette®, including 10 high hide whites, there are still decisions and commitments to be made. Choosing a warm or cool white, or a slightly off-white shade can make the difference between a property that looks sterile and unwelcoming, and one that attracts top-notch tenants.

Here are some tips for choosing the perfect colors for any property.

Fabric & Artwork Trick

For furnished properties, it is easier to start with existing elements rather than selecting a color from scratch. Using a tool like the Dunn-Edwards InstaColor® tool & app (available on the Mac App Store and Google Play), you can identify colors that already "live" within the property. Snap a photo of a sofa cushion, drapery, or perhaps a wall hanging, and match paint colors to those elements. This will give the property a cohesive and tastefully designed look. Once you've honed in on some selections, remember to test out the colors in the space before committing, as lighting can change throughout the day and reflect differently from various surfaces. You'll need to see color samples painted in the space to ensure a true match.

Get Help

Color is a big decision, and getting it right can help you go from unsigned leases to great reviews and full occupancy. It's okay to ask for help! Take advantage of our free color consultations and professional renderings to help you visualize color on projects. We also provide color palettes archived with Color-Ark^® Pro, an online index of homeowners association and commercial property colors, along with HOA color palette assistance. Learn more about our other services here.

Color it Forward

One way to ensure that your colors will still be in style a year from now is to choose colors based on trend forecasts. Check out the 2022 Dunn-Edwards Color Palettes to get ahead of the curve on color. You'll get plenty of inspiration and options for conservative neutrals, statement colors, and accent walls that will stand the test of time.

With a little know-how and a few of these resources, you'll be boldly exploring the world of off-whites in no time. And who knows? The added confidence just might inspire you to branch out into more adventurous and rewarding color territory—into the land of browns, greens, and blues—where few property managers have dared to go before.