How much does it cost to paint a room?
How much does it cost to paint a room?
$1 – $3 cost per square foot of surface area
$300 – $1,000 average total cost per room (walls only)
$600 – $2,000 average total cost per room (walls, trim, & ceilings)
Cost to paint a room
The cost to paint a room is $300 to $1,000 on average, depending on the size, wall height, and whether including the ceiling and trim. The labor cost to paint a room is $1 to $3 per square foot. The cost to paint a room yourself is $150 to $300.
| Room | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | $150 – $400 |
| Primary bathroom | $250 – $650 |
| Kitchen | $150 – $250 |
| Bedroom | $350 – $850 |
| Primary bedroom | $650 – $1,400 |
| Living room | $600 – $2,000 |
| Dining room / hallway | $300 – $1,000 |
| Open-plan basement | $800 – $2,500 |
*Some painters charge a $250 to $500 minimum project fee.
Average cost to paint a room
The following table shows the average cost to paint the walls of a room.
| National Average Cost | $750 |
|---|---|
| Minimum Cost | $150 |
| Maximum Cost | $2,500 |
| Average Range | $300 to $1,000 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Cost to paint a bedroom by size
The cost to paint a bedroom is $320 to $2,400 for the walls alone, depending on the size and height. When including walls, ceiling, and trim, painting a bedroom costs $640 to $4,800.
Matte finishes are popular for low-traffic bedrooms. Choose a satin finish for a kids’ or higher-traffic bedroom.
| Bedroom size* | Paint walls only | Paint walls, trim, and ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| 10'x10' | $320 – $1,200 | $640 – $2,400 |
| 10’x12’ | $350 – $1,300 | $700 – $2,600 |
| 12'x12' | $380 – $1,400 | $770 – $2,900 |
| 12'x16' | $450 – $1,700 | $900 – $3,400 |
| 14'x14' | $450 – $1,700 | $900 – $3,400 |
| 15'x15' | $480 – $1,800 | $960 – $3,600 |
| 16’x16’ | $510 – $1,900 | $1,000 – $3,800 |
| 18’x18’ | $580 – $2,200 | $1,200 – $4,300 |
| 20’x20’ | $640 – $2,400 | $1,300 – $4,800 |
*8’ to 10’ ceilings.
Average cost to paint one vs. multiple rooms
Painting one room costs $300 to $1,000 on average for the walls alone or $600 to $2,000 when including the ceiling and trim, depending on room size, ceiling height, and condition. The price per room is about the same when painting multiple rooms since labor accounts for most of the cost.
Professional painters’ charges per room
Cost to paint a living room
The cost to paint a living room is $600 to $2,000 on average, depending on the size, number of coats, and whether painting the walls only or the walls, ceiling, and trim. Painting rooms with ceilings greater than 10’ high costs more due to the increased wall surface, labor, and equipment required.
| Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Small (200 SF) | $450 – $1,700 |
| Average (320 SF) | $550 – $2,100 |
| Large (450 SF) | $650 – $2,600 |
Cost to paint a bathroom
Painting a bathroom costs $250 to $650 for the walls of an average-sized bathroom and $300 to $1,500 for a larger primary bathroom. Bathrooms require washable, moisture- and mildew-resistant paint that holds up to cleaning, scrubbing, and higher humidity levels than the rest of the home.
| Type | Average Cost* |
|---|---|
| Small bathroom | $150 – $400 |
| Average bathroom / small primary bath | $250 – $650 |
| Large primary bathroom | $300 – $1,500+ |
*Not including ceilings or trim.
Kitchen painting cost
Painting kitchen walls cost $150 to $250 on average, typically less than other rooms due to the appliances, cabinets, and backsplashes reducing the wall surface area. Eggshell or satin finishes work best for kitchen walls as they are durable and hide imperfections better than flat finishes.
Painting kitchen cabinets costs $900 to $3,800 or $3 to $10 per square foot, depending on the material and layout.
| Area | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Walls | $150 – $250 |
| Cabinets | $900 – $3,800 |
Basement painting cost
Painting a basement costs $800 to $2,500 on average for an open floor plan. Painting a multi-room basement costs more due to the increased wall surface area. Professionals typically use latex primer and acrylic latex paint on finished basement walls. Choose a glossy finish for ideal moisture and stain resistance.
Consider waterproofing for unfinished concrete basement walls. Interior basement waterproofing costs $4,500 to $10,000 on average.
Cost to paint all rooms in a house
Painting a whole house interior costs $1,300 to $6,300 on average, depending on the size, ceiling height, and complexity. The cost to paint the walls alone falls at the lower end of the price range. The high end of the range includes the baseboards, trim, and ceilings.
| Area | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,500 SF House | $1,300 – $4,400 |
| 2,000 SF House | $1,600 – $5,600 |
| 2,500 SF House | $1,800 – $6,300 |
Labor cost to paint a room
The labor cost to paint a room is $1 to $3 per square foot on average. Labor typically accounts for 70% to 85% of the total room painting cost. Many painting contractors charge a $250 to $500+ minimum project fee.
| Charge | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Per Square Foot | $1 – $3 |
| Per Room | $400 – $1,100 |
| Per Hour | $20 – $50 |
Factors affecting the cost of painting a room include:
Geographical location – Painting contractors’ rates are higher in major metropolitan areas with a higher cost of living.
Time of year – Interior painting rates are often more competitive during the fall and winter.
Room size & wall height – The larger the room, the more paint and labor are required to cover it. Ceilings higher than 10’ increase the painting cost by 10% to 50%+. Higher ceilings increase the wall surface area and require additional equipment and safety measures to paint.
Room layout and difficulty – A standard square or rectangular room costs less than an irregularly shaped room with multiple corners, intricate molding, and areas requiring additional masking and cutting in.
Primer – Primer costs $15 to $30 per gallon. Priming porous surfaces like new drywall and stained, glossy, dark, or odorous surfaces ensures the best paint adhesion and longevity. Some paints come formulated with a primer, which saves on labor and material costs.
Color – Changing from light to dark or dark to light may require additional paint coats, increasing materials and labor. Bright or deep colors often require more coats.
Paint type, finish, & quality
Oil-based paints take longer to dry and are more difficult to clean up, adding to the total project time.
Higher sheen paint finishes cost more but are more durable than flat or matte finishes.
High-quality paints cost more but look better and last longer.
Customizations / textures / accents – Accent walls cost 20% to 30% more than other walls. Changing colors between rooms increases the cost.
Prep work – A room filled with furniture and wall hangings takes more time to prep than an empty room. Removing items and cleaning surfaces before the project begins reduces the labor time.
Repairs – Major drywall repairs cost $100 to $400 per crack. Most painters factor minor drywall repair from wall hangings or small punctures into a painting estimate.
Trim – Painting baseboards and trim costs $1 to $4 per linear foot.
Ceiling – Painting a ceiling costs $1 to $2 per square foot.
Mold – Mold removal costs $15 to $30 per square foot.
Lead or Asbestos Testing – Asbestos testing costs $250 to $850 and is recommended for homes built before 1986.
Handyman charges to paint a room
A handyman charges $50 to $80 per hour to paint a room, depending on the location. Other handyperson services and costs include:
Wallpaper removal costs $0.80 to $3.00 per square foot.
Adding wall texture costs $0.80 to $2.00 per square foot.
Removing a popcorn ceiling costs $1 to $2 per square foot, not including repainting.
Painting a door costs $100 to $250.
Moving furniture costs $50 to $80 per hour or $320 to $600 per day.
Room paint cost
Paint costs $15 to $50 per gallon on average. Latex- or water-based paint is most common for walls and ceilings. Oil-based paint is popular for trim due to its higher durability, but it takes longer to dry, is more difficult to clean up, and requires more off-gassing safety precautions.
One paint gallon covers 300 to 400 square feet with one coat.
| Paint type or finish | Average price |
|---|---|
| Latex | $15 – $50 |
| Oil-based | $20 – $70 |
| Flat finish | $15 – $50 |
| Eggshell finish | $15 – $50 |
| Semi-gloss / gloss finish | $20 – $60 |
Cost to paint a room yourself
Painting a room yourself costs $150 to $300 on average for the paint and supplies for a typical 12’ x 12’ room. Labor accounts for a large part of a painting estimate, so painting a room DIY is a budget-friendly alternative, especially if you already have some supplies on hand.
| Item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Paint (per room)* | $30 – $150 |
| Scraper | $6 – $20 |
| Sandpaper | $5 – $15 |
| Patching Compound | $10 – $20 |
| Painters Tape | $3 – $10 |
| Brushes | $2 – $15 |
| Paint Roller Kit | $10 – $25 |
| Paint Tray | $2 – $5 |
| Drop Cloth | $5 – $30 |
| Respirator mask | $5 – $30 |
| Ladder | $80 – $300 |
| Paint Sprayer Rental | $30 – $50 per day |
*Based on a 12’ x 12’ room with 8’ ceilings.
Room painting FAQs
How long does it take to paint a room?
Painting an average room takes 6 to 10 hours, including prep work, cutting in, painting, and cleanup. Several factors impact the painting time, including the room size, wall height, crew size and experience, application method, number of coats, and whether including the trim and ceiling or just the walls.
Most paints require 2 hours of dry time between coats. Painters recommend waiting 24 to 48 hours once the paint is dry to the touch before moving furniture back and rehanging wall fixtures.
Cleaning and prep work takes 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Cutting in—painting the areas not reachable with a roller or sprayer—takes 1 to 2 hours.
Painting trim takes 1 to 2 hours per coat.
Painting walls takes 30 to 60 minutes per coat.
Painting a ceiling takes 1 to 2 hours per coat.
How to measure a room for painting
Follow these steps to measure a room for painting:
Measure the perimeter of the room in feet.
Measure the ceiling height in feet.
Multiply the room perimeter by the ceiling height to get the room’s total wall area square footage.
Subtract 21 square feet per door and 16 square feet per window to get the most accurate square footage for the paintable wall surface.
Example – For a 10’ x 12’ room with 8’ ceilings:
10’ + 10’ + 12’ + 12’ = 44’ perimeter
44’ x 8’ = 352 square feet of wall space.
One gallon of paint covers 300 to 400 square feet with one coat.
Do painters remove and replace furniture?
Some painters remove and replace furniture, while others request the homeowners remove it. Painters who move the furniture include the added labor in the estimate or charge hourly for the service. Request a walkthrough before the work begins and confirm the details with your painting contractor.
Painters need at least 2 to 3 feet between the walls and furniture.
Furniture that cannot be removed is moved to the room’s center and covered.
Most painters advise the homeowner to remove all wall hangings, valuables, and small obstacles.
Getting estimates from room painters
Before hiring an interior painter to paint a room, remember to:
Get at least three in-person estimates to compare.
Check their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Hire a company that is licensed, bonded, and insured.
Look for members of the Painting Contractors Association (PCA).
Choose businesses that have been established for at least five years.
Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work starts.
Avoid going with the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Never pay in full before the work begins. Follow a payment plan instead.
Questions to ask
How long have you been in business?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Can you provide references with contact details?
Which paint type and finish do you recommend for my room, and why?
How long will the project take?
Do you charge extra to move the furniture? If yes, how much?
What do I need to do to prepare the space for the project?
Do I need to do any repairs before you start painting?
Does the estimate include prepping the room?
Does the estimate include cleanup costs?
What additional costs should I expect?
What happens if you get paint on the floor or furniture?
Do you do the painting, or do you use subcontractors?
Is there a warranty for the paint job?