'You don’t want to shock people when you come in': Selling Sunset's Jason Oppenheim's failsafe entryway color
The real estate president sits down exclusively with H&G to discuss the influence of the right hues – whether you're selling or not
When the 'Best Real Estate Agent in the United States' offers selling advice – we take note – especially when it concerns the first room buyers see when they enter your home.
An entryway's power to clinch a sale is no secret – but the founder of The Oppenheim Group (and star of Netflix's Selling Sunset and Selling the OC) reminded us just how impactful, negatively and positively, your styling decisions can be in this space – starting, not least, with paint colors.
'An entryway can allow for different palettes, but I will play it safe and go with white. You don't want to shock people when you come in,' Jason says in an exclusive interview with H&G.
The real estate mogul sat down with us to share his entryway color ideas after using Behr's Designer Collection paints in a recent penthouse renovation. This introduced him to the power of finding the right hue – and how to create the right first impression with color. 'You want to have a calming presence,' Jason says. This is true in all rooms – but vital when creating an impression on those who pass through your home.'
Jason Oppenheim is the president and founder of The Oppenheim Group and was awarded the 'Best Real Estate Agent in the United States' at the International Property Awards. The star of Netflix's Selling Sunset and Selling the OC has more than $3 billion in closed sales and currently has more than $300 million in active listings around Southern California.
Like many soft neutrals in the Designer Collection palette, white's tranquil and reassuring aesthetic gets Jason's approval. White, he says, can boost your entryway's appeal in more ways than one.
'Sometimes, entryways can be narrow, so white will make yours feel like a more expansive space,' Jason says. If you're working with a small entryway – or any compact area – Jason recommends decorating with neutrals or off-whites that will emphasize its size without impacting its style.
'In my penthouses, I chose Tranquil Gray, Even Better Beige, and Blank Canvas. They are softer, tranquil colors,' he says. 'When you’re looking to sell a place or honestly looking to live somewhere, you just want some peace. I like my home to be a tranquil environment. I like softer, mild, organic colors.'
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You can shop for these shades via The Home Depot below.
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This muted gray is designed to bring a sense of balance and harmony to your home – while offering an unmistakable contemporary look in all lights.
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This subtle earth tone blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape – meaning it is particularly perfect for farmhouses or craftsman-style homes.
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Behr's Color of the Year, Blank Canvas, is the perfect white to bring into your entryway. It's clean, timeless – and Jason Oppenheim-approved.
Neutral room ideas are a timeless way to welcome and impress potential buyers and guests alike – but as Jason explains – we don't need to avoid vibrant colors altogether. They do, according to the agent, have a place – but should be used with caution.
'It’s nice to have an accent color, but not an aggressive accent. If you’re selling a super funky house and that’s the style, you can get away with it,' he says. 'There are some houses that allow for it, but you need to be very careful. If you’re not a professional designer, you’re entering dangerous territory.'
When in doubt – follow Jason's lead – and enjoy neutral's power far beyond SoCal.
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
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