'You don’t want to shock people when you come in': Selling Sunset's Jason Oppenheim's failsafe entryway color

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

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.' 

You can shop for these shades via The Home Depot below.

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.