As a landlord in the MTSU campus area, your paint color choices can make or break your rental property’s appeal to college students. With over 22,000 students at Middle Tennessee State University, the competition for quality student housing is fierce. The right paint colors don’t just attract tenants—they can help you command higher rents, reduce vacancy periods, and create spaces that students actually want to call home during their college years.
Understanding Your Target Market
College students aren’t just looking for any place to live—they’re seeking spaces that reflect their personality, provide Instagram-worthy backdrops, and feel like a step up from cramped dorm rooms. Today’s students have grown up with Pinterest, TikTok, and design-focused social media, making them more visually aware than previous generations. They want rental properties that feel modern, fresh, and photo-ready for their social media presence.
Top Paint Colors That Attract College Students
Warm Neutrals with Personality
Greige (Gray + Beige) Combinations Colors like Sherwin Williams’ “Accessible Beige” or Benjamin Moore’s “Revere Pewter” provide the perfect backdrop for students to personalize with colorful furniture, posters, and decor. These sophisticated neutrals make small spaces feel larger while maintaining that “adult” feel students crave as they transition from dorm life.
Soft Whites with Warmth Skip the stark builder’s white and opt for warmer whites like “Swiss Coffee” or “Cloud White.” These create bright, airy spaces that photograph beautifully for social media while providing a clean slate for personal expression.
Accent Colors That Pop
Navy Blue Feature Walls A single navy accent wall in living areas creates instant sophistication and pairs beautifully with the vintage and boho decor trends popular with college students. Navy works equally well with warm wood tones and metallic accents.
Sage Green Accents This trendy color appeals to students interested in wellness and natural living trends. Sage green creates a calming atmosphere perfect for studying while maintaining the modern aesthetic students desire.
Dusty Rose or Mauve Particularly popular with female students, these sophisticated pink tones feel grown-up while still being fun and personable. Use sparingly as accent walls or in bedrooms.
Colors to Avoid in Student Rentals
Outdated Color Schemes
- Beige-on-beige combinations that feel dated and boring
- Yellow walls which can appear dingy and are hard to photograph well
- Orange or red feature walls that limit furniture and decor options
- Dark colors throughout that make small spaces feel cramped
Overly Bold Choices
While students like personality, avoid highly saturated or neon colors that quickly become overwhelming or go out of style. These can also make it difficult for students to coordinate their belongings.
Room-Specific Recommendations
Living Areas
Use light, neutral base colors (soft gray or warm white) with one accent wall in a trendy color like navy or sage green. This provides visual interest without overwhelming the space and allows for flexible furniture arrangements.
Bedrooms
Keep bedrooms neutral with warm whites or light grays. Students will personalize these spaces heavily with bedding, artwork, and personal items. Neutral walls ensure their belongings will look cohesive regardless of their color preferences.
Bathrooms
Stick with classic whites or very light grays. Add personality with stylish fixtures or accessories rather than wall color. Students appreciate clean, spa-like bathroom environments.
Kitchens
Light, bright colors work best. Consider soft whites with one colorful accent wall, or use colorful backsplashes while keeping walls neutral. Students often eat on-the-go, so kitchen appeal is more about cleanliness and brightness than bold design statements.
The Psychology Behind Color Choices
Why These Colors Work for Students
Instagram-Friendly Aesthetics Light, neutral backgrounds with strategic pops of color photograph beautifully for social media. Students want spaces they’re proud to show off to friends and family.
Flexibility for Personal Style Neutral base colors allow students to express their evolving personal style through removable elements like throw pillows, artwork, and temporary decor.
Mood and Study Environment Calming colors like sage green and soft blues can help create better study environments, while warmer neutrals make social spaces feel welcoming and comfortable.
Practical Considerations for Landlords
Durability and Maintenance
Choose high-quality, washable paint finishes. College students are harder on rental properties, and you’ll need to touch up walls between tenants. Eggshell or satin finishes in neutral colors hide minor scuffs better than flat paint.
Cost-Effective Updates
Focus your color investments on main living areas and consider leaving bedrooms neutral. This allows you to refresh the property’s look affordably while letting students personalize their private spaces.
Future-Proofing Your Investment
Stick with colors that will remain appealing for 3-5 years. Avoid trendy colors that might look dated quickly, as frequent repainting cuts into your profits.
Local Murfreesboro Considerations
Climate Factors
Tennessee’s humidity can affect paint longevity. Choose moisture-resistant formulas, especially in bathrooms and kitchens where students may not always use proper ventilation.
Competition Analysis
Drive around popular student housing areas near MTSU to see what color schemes other landlords are using. Look for opportunities to stand out while still appealing to student preferences.
ROI on Strategic Paint Choices
Rental Rate Improvements
Well-chosen paint colors can justify rent increases of $25-50 per month compared to outdated or bland color schemes. Students are willing to pay more for spaces that feel modern and Instagram-worthy.
Reduced Vacancy Periods
Properties with appealing, current color schemes rent faster. In the competitive MTSU market, attractive paint can be the difference between a 30-day vacancy and a 90-day vacancy.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Strategic neutral base colors with colorful accents mean you’ll only need to repaint accent walls between tenants, rather than entire units.
Professional Application Matters
While color choice is crucial, professional application ensures your investment looks its best. Proper surface preparation, high-quality materials, and expert technique create the polished look that attracts quality student tenants.
Consider hiring experienced painters who understand rental property needs, including quick turnarounds between tenants and durable finishes that withstand college living.
Final Recommendations
The most successful MTSU campus rental properties use a sophisticated neutral base (warm whites or light grays) with one trendy accent color that can be easily changed as trends evolve. This approach maximizes appeal while minimizing long-term maintenance costs.
Remember that today’s college students have higher design expectations than previous generations. Investing in appealing paint colors isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about maximizing your property’s earning potential in Murfreesboro’s competitive student housing market.
Ready to transform your MTSU rental property with colors that attract quality student tenants? Contact Michael’s Painting for a consultation on paint colors and professional application that will set your property apart in the campus rental market.