The 5 Best Paint Colors for an Airbnb
Let’s talk about the best paint colors for an Airbnb. You might be tempted to go all white, gray, or, worse yet, greige. But, trust us, a little color can go a long way, especially when you’re trying to stand out on a booking platform.
Think about it, if you’re scrolling through listings and every single home is the same gray on gray look, then, all of a sudden, you come along a home that has a moody navy library or a millennial pink bathroom, that’s going to stop you in your tracks. You’re going to be tempted to explore the listing a little closer. You’re going to think, “I want to stay there!” if only for the design inspiration.
The choice to lean into paint color can be something that actually sets your listing apart. so let’s look at the best paint colors for your Airbnb, as well as how to choose the right type of paint for your Airbnb (not all paints are created equal!).
How to Choose the Right Type of Paint for Your Airbnb
Before you get into colors, you first need to choose the right type of paint. This is a more critical (and not as fun) step than you might imagine, but, if you don’t have the right paint, you might as well skip painting altogether.
Consider the Brand of Paint
Talk to any professional painter and they’ll tell you, do not cheap out on paint. Spring for the brand name, the consistency truly is better and it will take fewer coats to cover — which is critical, especially if you’re renovating or DIY painting your Airbnb. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are the classics, with Clare Paint being a new favorite.
Choose the Right Finish for Your Space
Airbnbs and vacation rentals see a lot of wear and tear. That’s the reality. So you want to stay as far away from matte paint as humanly possible. Matte paint stains, shows water marks, and don’t even think about taking a magic eraser to it unless you’d like a massive and permanent mark across your wall.
Instead, choose a satin or semi gloss paint for an easy to clean surface that will let you wipe away scuffs, marks from suitcases (they’re a constant battle!), and even children’s rogue crayons.
The 5 Best Paint Colors for an Airbnb
Now, let’s talk about the best paint colors for an Airbnb. Honestly, the best color is the one you love, but there are colors that we see used again and again, and colors that our guests consistently ask us about.
And, don’t forget, you can also spring for wallpaper to add both color and art to your walls!
White Dove has been an iconic neutral white favored by interior designers for years, decades even. Whites are tough to get right, but this one is clean, fresh and timeless. It’s slightly creamy, but still crisp. Just warm enough to work in a low light space, but holds its own in rooms full of windows.
Green is an absolute favorite in Airbnbs. It’s calming, relaxing, and, if you’re in a wooded area, it plays nicely against the tranquility of nature nature. Try it in an A-frame bedroom, a cabin kitchen, or a historic home where you paint not only the walls, but the trim, too. We’d also love to see this used in a bathroom or on kitchen cabinets.
Navy on the walls? Absolutely! But forget the statement walls of the early aughts, and just go all in. Try it in a library, a cocktail room, a powder room, or even a low light bedroom. It’s best when contrasted with light furniture and warm wood tones.
Millennial pink is perfect for the property that you want to catch design-savvy travelers with. It’s Instagram-worthy and Clare Paint is one of the trendiest paint companies out there (yes, paint companies can be trendy).
This serene blue has historic roots — it’s a color you would have seen in farmhouses in early America, and yet it works in both charming old properties as well as modern homes. We love how this looks with a crisp white and cognac colored wood.