Thank you for the link ttod. Very interesting. I've always been a little skeptical about the psychology of color though. I think a lot of us have very personal associations with colors, and often combinations of colors have a more powerful impact than one color on its own. I must say, I did like all the most popular colors - makes me a feel a bit of a sheep!

I would only paint a room if it needed to be freshened up. The ONLY room I would paint is the bright pink one. I am house shopping and while I understand that kids rooms usually have strong personalities, yet can be changed easily, I still feel more positive when the house has more neutral walls since I know I am going to have a lot of things to do to make the house mine, so I won't be able o get them all done at once. Having neutral wall colors just makes it easier. But none of those other colors sound jarring enough to make a difference. I would only repaint or redo a room if it had a very strong personality. That said, the two kids bedrooms in my old house both had ugly splatter painted walls that the kids did themselves before I bought it, and I still bought the house. But now that I am 15 years older, less painting is a definite plus for me. So a lot will depend on your buyers too.

Fresh paint is worthwhile. (No, Realtors don't get any kickbacks for painting the walls.) If the walls were painted 20 years ago, then a fresh coast of neutral paint will work wonders on your parents home. If the carpet is 20 years old, then replace with something that is neutral. Listen to your Realtor - s/he knows the market and what sells and doesn't sell. Saving the money on the paint job will cost you more in the sales price - even if your home is already discounted for painting. Fresh paint, spotless cleaning and organizing and landscaping are the most effective things you can do to prepare the home before selling. You will end up with a much better bottom line (usually) - unless the house is priced out of the market.

I'm doing the same thing!! I wish people would comment because it's a big decision:). I've been researching gray's...pussywillow by SW, Benjamin Moore galveston gray (too dark for my taste but people say it's a good one), Harbor Gray...good luck to you