If you are painting your interior walls prior to putting your house on the market, choose light, neutral, versatile colors such as off-white, beige, or buff. This will help prospective buyers to envision how their furnishings will look in the room and what other colors they might like to use.

If you are repainting and do not plan on moving, here are a few important things to consider:

• Color choice is a long-term decision. Very bright or very dark colors may grab your initial attention, but may not serve as a long-term preference. On the other hand, bright or dark colors are often popular with artistic decorators, and they can lend a stately air to a room. If a room has wainscoting, built-in bookcases, a fireplace, and decorative windows and doors, consider painting them a contrast color, such as white woodwork and sky-blue walls. Some decorators like to paint one wall in a vivid color, with a neutral color for the rest of the room.
• Most people prefer a white ceiling, but consider using a light color that complements the color of the walls.
• Consider your furniture and artwork. Choose colors that will work well with them, unless you are redecorating completely.
• Consider different paint finish options. You might prefer a satin, semi-gloss, high-gloss, eggshell, or matte finish--or different finishes on different walls.