For the last couple decades I have painted everything antique white.

I was painting the walls, trim, doors and ceilings all the same. Used to be I sprayed it all so that saved on time.

Then I started painting the ceilings flat white.

Then I started painting the trim and doors semi-gloss white. Mostly in hopes that the paint would stand up to more traffic.

Decided to get with the times on colors, which the boss has been pushing for.

Agreeable Gray was the color I decided on. Figured I could still use it with brown LVP if needed, especially since the trim will be white.

Then in another post Brad talked about Swiss Coffee. I did a little snooping online and it is a favorite among some.

What colors does the hive mind prefer?

I really like getting down to one color for the walls. If I have to repaint a place anyhow then I see no problems with changing colors.

I use BEHR from HD in Chic Grey. It is a very nice light grey that really pops with the gloss white trim, doors and windows. I do not like Sherman Williams or Repose gray. Too much blue tint. JMO

Trying to keep up with trends is no different than trying to keep up with the Jones's. It can get very expensive in time and money and yet you still can't please everyone as humans have lots of opinions and change their minds often.

I also get compliments on clean the place is and looks.

I'm using a greige (don't remember the name) - kind of grey, kind of tan.

It's totally neutral & (I think) pretty timeless / not trendy.

I did the off-white spray on every surface the same in the LOW-level rooming house I used to have. I personally think that type of approach screams low-level housing. That is, to be rented by those in the lower socio-economic class - not that the property isn't in good shape.

When we painted everything off-white, people were ALWAYS asking if they could paint. ALWAYS. I was always explaining they could decorate with fabric and art. But it was a given someone was going to ask.

When we switched to Universal Grey walls (very light grey) and Bright White trim, NO ONE HAS ASKED TO PAINT. Not ONE.

Instead we get "I love how clean and bright the place is."

We use semi-gloss on everything. Tenants can't have everything and satin or flat just don't last.

I use Frost on everything. I used to use satin but switched to eggshell. That isn't very different from antique white.

I have done colors a few times but the additional work isn't worth it for me. I might reconsider if the market cools off and rentals take over a month.

I am NOT an expert on colors, but have friends that are. I get a list of the most desirable colors for my area's. Then I do the unthinkable! I buy samples colors in tiny jars--screw on lids. Like $4-$6 per sample.

Last month I spent an entire $50 on new colors and took out from one of my storage garages, colors I used on apartment over the past 10 years.

I took 2 walls in a vacant unit, one in the sun and the second in the darker area. I painted 6" x 6" squares on those walls and marked the colors using masking tape.

Now I had samples colors on walls, dry and showing what they really look like.

Wow, lots of feedback. I appreciate it all.

I used Antique White on everything years back. I did it because it was faster, and easier, when I had someone ahead of me masking things off.

Couple of my places are filled with mistint paint. While it was very cheap, I was getting good paint at $5/$7 a gallon, it does make touch ups harder.

I have absolutely no luck with touching up semi-gloss paint that has been on the wall longer than a month or so. It always shows as a brighter spot, no matter how much I try and blend it in. I have to do the entire wall.

I am not a painter.

I guess I am looking for something that will add a little wow to the place while still being neutral enough so as to avoid that won't match my stuff comments, along with asking to paint.

Will take some of the suggested colors and have a look see. I will either be using Lowes (their higher end paints) or SW as that's all we have local unless I include Do It Brand.

This brings up another question.

Does spending more on paint actually make the paint last (on the walls) longer or you use less per application? I don't buy the watered down contractor grade stuff as I know it doesn't cover anything and makes a mess rolling it on.

Super paint from SW has been used a couple times. But I honestly do not know if buying the top of the line that is provided makes it worth it.

Will paint with more solids in it take a beating better than a mid grade paint will?

Time is money as well. For me it is nearly impossible to get a one coat paint unless I am covering the same color.

Going to look at the different grays, greiges, and the off named colors suggested thus far. I know I have a full rehab in an apartment coming after school is out this year.

Also do people see a problem with LVP that is say a stained wood color with the white trim and grey toned walls? I do not want to become an interior designer looking for this season's trends only.

I am terrible at classing my places, but I would say that I have solid C units pushing towards C+. I want to keep ahead of the competition with my colors and such.

Paint colors is one of those things I stick with as long as it is socially acceptable much like NE. Sine everything gets painted the same color I just use up a bucket and buy the next as I do the painting tasks. I only have to keep one wall color paint in storage for touchups.

Could be wrong, MikeA, and could be products have changed, but several years ago I read a paint comparison and the end result was with paint at least, you DO get what you pay for.

MikeA, I use the Ultra from Valspar now. I believe it might be third tier. They have some SW branded stuff but I didn't see much difference. All Valspar is made by SW.

The more solids (pigments) the better it will cover and last. Guess I need to do some google searching to see what the comparisons are like now.

J, I just looked up the Floral White. It is comparable to the Antique White that I still have. I have seen some of the pics of your finished work. I need to look again and pay more attention to the color rather than the work you did.

WMH, you had my biz card from Florida. Probably tossed it months ago tho, rightfully so. Try this one from gmail, rylo591.

In a word, Zero: FEATHER.

I used Antique White in 1977.

Repose gray the last few years with white trim.

Get ready!...the designers say the trend among consumers is shifting from cool (grays, blues) to WARM tones (off white and tan/brown).

In Indiana we are about 5-10 years behind Cali trends, but they ARE coming.

So we're moving to light griege. (a shot of brown into the light gray paint)

PS

Yes, better paint means faster coverage and durability.

TIME/LABOR is more valuable than a few extra bucks for the better paint.

Interesting to know about the greige.

Might look into that instead. I would rather have something that went with more colors anyhow.

What I want to know now is where is the cut-off on paying more for better paint and getting better results from a mid grade paint.

I personally don't like yellow tones - they make me think of nicotine and pee LOL! I like pure sunny yellow, just not yellow-toned paint. So we'll probably stick on the grey-er end of the spectrum rather than go with designer picks where everything old is always new again.

"the designers say the trend among consumers is shifting from cool (grays, blues) to WARM tones (off white and tan/brown)"

YES!!!

I remember when many folks were switching from beige/tan to light grey walls and white trim because it was trendy at the time. Changing colors cost a lot because you either have to primer over the old color and then paint the new color, or you have to go over 2x-3x with new color to ensure the older color doesn't bleed through. And you have to tape off the ceilings and trim to make sure you get right up to the edges to avoid "outlines" of the old color.

"This is going to cost a LOT!" I thought. Why do this, if the rent doesn't change one dollar?

I' thrifty (Boy Scout word) and decided to stick with my good ol' "Brazilian Tan" from Glidden (Wally World). Same stuff I've used the past 15 years. Even if I had to repaint a wall due to touch up paint not matching perfectly, I save time and money not having to mask off anything. Tenants usually don't screw up the paint 0.5 inches from the ceiling.

Looks like I'm about to become trendy again for a cost of $0.00. Time to write a book: "Saving Big Money on Rentals By Doing Absolutely Nothing."

Marcia, DH is a "good brush and steady hand" guy.

Sid, we rarely paint our "new" colors in an old place. So we still have Off-white places. They've just never had a full re-paint done.

*Never had a full repaint done*

Now I am really curious on how these places look. Feathering with semi-gloss doesn't work for me. Unless the paint is freshly applied.

Sent you a few pics, Zero.

I think some here are missing my point. Let me try again.

S i d's point: "Don't chase color trends unless you have to."

Even a "steady hand" painting still takes extra time going slowly, carefully, and cleaning up the "oopses", and extra time means extra vacancy, which means lost rent. It also means less time driving my fun car on twisty back roads.

I'll put it this way: if I NEVER have to paint a unit again, I'll consider that proper management. But if I do have to paint it, it's going to be the same color 40 years from now that it is today. Neutral colors stand the test of time: off white, beige/tan, or gray. Pick one color and stick with it forever, unless you're a Class A investor and have to repaint because trendy is expected with Class A. Maybe if you're a high end Class B also.

The day someone can show me a rent increase vs. paint cost analysis that demonstrates net rent gain over time, I'll change my mind. But my standard is upgrades (including repainting to a different color) must pay off in 3 years or less, or I don't do them.

Sid, I agree about not chasing fads. But I also know that the few places I have painted that were not antique white I got positive responses.

Might I get more money because of the color change? Possibly, but doubtful.

Might someone take my place over another because I have grey walls instead of antique white? It has happened.

Again I need to look into this greige color. Best of both worlds maybe?

While I do agree with not chasing trends, I also challenge the thought above:

"The day someone can show me a rent increase vs. paint cost analysis that demonstrates net rent gain over time, I'll change my mind. But my standard is upgrades (including repainting to a different color) must pay off in 3 years or less, or I don't do them."

There is way more to this than just a rent increase. You also have to consider things like extended vacancy rates, quality of applicants who apply, and the business reputation. While a little more intangible, these are the things that will make or break you when the rental market tightens and there is lots of competition. From many recent posts, I suspect a fair amount of posters find themselves in this kind of market currently.

To drive my point home, consider using that same logic elsewhere. You wouldn't worry about the trash left by the former tenant, removing it won't add more rent. You wouldn't worry about the roach infestation, again solving it won't add more rent. What about the 3 foot tall weeds in the backyard, again, it doesn't add more rent to cut them down.

As mentioned I have been using semi-gloss white for the trim and doors of late. I buy exterior grade.

The last 5 gallon pail I got for free from a Valspar rep. It is meh for coverage over anything not already white. Two coats after primer on the stained trim and doors at the flip house.

Well I am down near the bottom now and needed to paint the laundry/mechanical room. So I broke out a gallon of new paint.

Never tried this before. It is from a Do-It Best store. White, semi-gloss, high hiding, exterior. I was going to get one gallon to test but had nothing going on paint wise at the time. They had a BOGO sale up to ten gallons. So I have 20 gallons of this stuff in gallon cans. They had no 5 gallon pails available.

I have to admit is is definitely thicker than the Valspar that I have. It covered well, only one coat after priming with 1-2-3. I painted the trim inside as well.

Then I decided to touch up some of the trim that I had previously painted and banged into.

The hue was definitely off. Looked fine by itself, but against the other white it had a tiny bit of yellow tinge to it.

I still have some of the other paint left for touch ups and to finish a couple doors.

I knew they wouldn't be a perfect match together, but it was odd.

Either way I might consider using the Do-It paint over the Valspar. In this single test it did do better.

I used semi-gloss bright white for all trim, doors, etc.

The house I am working on now to flip is getting mistint mixed colors.

Bedrooms, hallway, dining and kitchen are a gray of sorts. Living room will be a tan (TBD) color.

Bathroom is still up in the air. Have white tub, stool and vanity for it. Then I also have a lot of ceramic for the walls, half way up maybe. White and black goofy looking LVP for the floor (wife picked it out from auction). No clue what color the rest will be. I have a few gallons left of odd stuff but don't want to get carried away.

I would avoid anything crazy like that. I am cheap, but not that cheap.

Zero, for patching, you’re trotting your horse when you want to be at a nice easy jog. ( just had to work in a horse reference for Zero, WMH, and myself. Gosh, I miss having horses.)

Light handed on the feathering, almost dry brushing. At least, that’s what works for me. I tend to paint with a light hand anyway. My husband goes heavier, and he’s not so good at patching.

After my favorite paint technician had trouble getting a perfect match to my custom color, I switched to her recommendation of Sculptor Clay, Behr Scuff Defense/Stain blocking in FLAT. I was afraid the flat wouldn’t hold up, but she assured me it would. Haven’t been in the unit for a while, so haven’t had a chance to see, but there were no marks from tenant move-in, or the first few months.

We have always and continue to use Antique White on each place, except for our high end property, which we always painted off white. Since we gave both tenants in the high end the happy clause and got the place back, hubby decided to paint the LR/DR antique white. We chose the eggshell finish due to all the complements from tenants on the finish.

We also chose to paint all the trim and fireplace antique white but with semi-gloss. I love the result and the trim looks white, and not the wall color. I'm glad we made the switch.

Our other rentals are 1920's era with dark moulding. I've seen different colors used with that moulding and don't find most of them attractive and then decorating becomes more difficult. And we would never ever paint over the beautiful oak moulding, like we find it more desirable to have real wood floors rather than Allure.

Busy, I always thought Someday...but health and all that. Now I watch virtual riding videos on Youtube. Brings back good memories. And I follow several breeders and rescue farms.

Well I will give a lighter handed attempt at feathering in the semi-gloss paint sometime.

I thought I was running the brush with a whisper touch, but maybe the volume needs adjusted.

As for the horses. I do NOT miss them at all. For me it went from enjoying the animals to a job. Ruined it for me. Same happened with dogs for the longest time.