3 Fence Colours That Could Lower Your Home's Value – Plus The Safest Shades To Choose

Spring is peak house-selling season in the UK. While obvious things – structural damage, damp, overgrown gardens and noisy neighbours – can negatively affect kerb appeal, there are also more subtle choices that might put a potential buyer off.

Along with rotten decking, unwieldy weeds and every gardener’s nemesis; Japanese knotweed, the wrong shade of garden fence colour can also devalue a home.

With that in mind, here are three schemes to avoid...

Rainbow colours

Let flowers bring the bold colour to your garden – not your fence.

“You might love the idea of painting a fluro rainbow on your fence panels, and if it is just for you by all means do it,” says The Standard’s property expert Ruth Bloomfield exclusively tells Country Living.

“If you want to appeal to the widest possible range of buyers go neutral.”

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colourful wooden fence abstract background

Rafael Ben-Ari//Getty Images

Let blooms bring the bold colour to your garden

Red

Most people want their garden to create a calming environment in which to unwind. Choosing red – often seen as a visually dominant, aggressive colour, can overwhelm an outdoors oasis.

“Mid to light grey or soft sage green pairs well with a traditional garden,” Ruth advises, “Or, if your outside space is more contemporary you might consider anthracite or olive green.”

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Bright white

Let’s face it: British weather can be a fickle thing – just when you’ve dusted off your spring shorts and sunglasses, it’s taken a turn and rain is forecast for the foreseeable.

While white paint might look lovely initially, the damp, cold climate can quickly lead to it looking stained or patchy. If it’s not kept in good condition, it may give the impression you’re laissez faire with your garden maintenance.

Colors Hunter - Chasseur de Couleurs//Getty Images

White fences can quickly look stained and patchy

Ruth adds: “A fence is easily repainted, so I don't think something weird and wonderful would necessarily cut the value of your property.

"But the market is really competitive for sellers right now and with lots of properties to choose from it might give buyers the ick because if it doesn't make your garden look as gorgeous as possible. And repainting it would just be an annoying job on their future to-do list.”