The Best Modern Paint Colors for Updating a Historic 1928 Bungalow

When preparing homes for the market, I like to work with a talented interior designer and color consultant to select paint colors. I want a home to look fresh and neutral yet memorable. In other words, I want potential buyers to be able to see themselves living there, but I don’t the house to be an all-white box that looks like every other house.

I am currently working on a 1928 bungalow that seamlessly blends original charm with modern sensibility. Think original Batchelder tile, beautifully preserved woodwork, and industrial updates that honor the era. Our paint strategy? Celebrate the home's history while embracing it’s the modern updates that have a 1920s industrial vibe.

Our Color Palette:

🤍 Alabaster (SW 7008): Interior walls. The perfect warm white that lets original features shine.

🤍 Snow White (SW 9541): Interior woodwork. A crisper white that makes the original millwork pop.

🩶 Gray Owl (BM 2137-60): Bathrooms. A soft, sophisticated complement to white subway tile and dark grout.

🌿 Pine Forest (BM 451): Sunroom. This rich green brings the lush backyard indoors, perfectly framing the original beadboard and expansive windows.

🤎 Polished Mahogany (SW 2838): Mantle (wood portion only). A historically accurate brown that makes the original Batchelder tile sing. And yes, the mantle was already painted; I'd never paint over beautiful, stained wood!

🔵 Rain Cloud (SW 9639): Exterior doors. A striking contrast against the taupe siding and greenery.

🔵 Mount Etna (SW 7625): Front fence & patio stairs. A deeper blue that complements the doors while grounding the exterior.

🩶 Homburg Gray (SW 7622): Basement floor. A dark color for the concrete that pops against Alabaster walls and warm wood tones.

Every color choice was intentional, honoring what makes this home special while preparing it to captivate today's buyers.