How much does it cost to paint the interior of a house?
How much does it cost to paint the interior of a house?
The average cost to paint the interior of a house or room is $1 to $3 per square foot. Painters charge $3,500 to $10,000 to paint all the walls in a house interior, and the cost to paint a room is $350 to $850. Prices increase when including the ceilings, baseboards, and trim.
$1 – $3 cost per square foot of surface area
$350 – $850 average cost per room
$3,500 – $10,000 average cost to paint whole interior of house
The average cost to paint the interior of a house or room is $1 to $3 per square foot. Painters charge $3,500 to $10,000 to paint all the walls in a house interior, and the cost to paint a room is $350 to $850. Prices increase when including the ceilings, baseboards, and trim.
Interior Painting Cost
Painters charge $1 to $3 per square foot to paint a room or interior of a house. The average cost to paint a room is $350 to $850, and the cost to paint a whole home interior is $3,500 to $10,000. Labor costs alone account for 70% to 85% of your total paint job.
| Measure | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Coverage Area | $1 – $3 |
| Floor Space | $3 – $7 |
| Room | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Interior Door | $75 – $150 |
| Bedroom | $350 – $850 |
| Primary Bedroom | $650 – $1,400 |
| Bathroom | $150 – $400 |
| Kitchen | $150 – $250 |
| Living Room | $600 – $2,000 |
| Apartment / Condo | $900 – $3,000 |
| 1,500 SF House | $4,500 – $6,000 |
| 2,000 SF House | $6,000 – $8,000 |
| 2,500 SF House | $7,500 – $10,000 |
| 3,000 SF House | $9,000 – $12,000 |
Painting the inside of your house is one of the easiest ways to give it a new look. Start by getting free paint samples from your local home improvement store, then contact interior painters near you after you select the colors.
Increases your property value overnight.
Often has a more than 100% return on investment.
Cost to Paint Interior of House
The average cost to paint a house interior is $1 to $3 per square foot of surface area. The cost to paint the interior of a 1,500 SF home is $4,500 to $6,000. Painting an average home of 2,500 SF costs from $7,500 to $10,000 on average.
| National Average Cost | $7,500 |
| Minimum Cost | $2,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $15,000 |
| Average Range | $3,500 to $10,000 |
Cost To Repaint A Whole House Interior
The cost to repaint a whole house interior is $3,500 to $10,000 depending on the size. Painting an entire 2,000-square-foot house costs $6,000 to $8,000 on average. Prices fall on the higher end of the range when also painting the ceilings, trim, doors, and baseboards.
| Home square feet | Average cost to paint interior |
|---|---|
| 800 | $2,400 – $3,200 |
| 1,000 | $3,000 – $4,000 |
| 1,200 | $3,600 – $4,800 |
| 1,300 | $3,900 – $5,200 |
| 1,400 | $4,200 – $5,600 |
| 1,500 | $4,500 – $6,000 |
| 1,600 | $4,800 – $6,400 |
| 1,800 | $5,400 – $7,200 |
| 2,000 | $6,000 – $8,000 |
| 2,200 | $6,600 – $8,800 |
| 2,500 | $7,500 – $10,000 |
| 3,000 | $9,000 – $12,000 |
Cost to Paint Inside of House by Bedrooms
The cost to paint inside a house can be estimated by the number of bedrooms. Painting all the walls inside a house costs $1,000 to $3,000, while a full house interior runs $4,000 to $10,000 on average.
| Size | Average Cost* |
|---|---|
| 1-Bedroom House | $800 – $4,100 |
| 2-Bedroom House | $1,000 – $6,400 |
| 3-Bedroom House | $1,200 – $8,500 |
| 4-Bedroom House | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| 5-Bedroom House | $3,000 – $12,000 |
*Lower-end prices are for walls only. High-end covers walls, ceilings, baseboards, doors, and trim.
Cost To Paint An Apartment
The average cost to paint an apartment is $900 to $3,000 depending on the number of bedrooms or if it's a studio. A 900-square-foot one-bedroom apartment costs $900 to $2,500 to paint. Painting a 2-bedroom apartment with 10' ceilings costs $1,100 to $3,000 on average.
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio | $700 – $1,600 |
| 1-Bedroom | $900 – $2,500 |
| 2-Bedroom | $1,100 – $3,000 |
If you're renting, ask for your landlord's permission and if they would be willing to help with the cost.
Condo Painting Estimate
The average cost to paint a condo interior is $1,300 to $3,500 for a 1,200 square foot unit with 2 bedrooms. Be sure to check with your homeowners association (HOA) for approval before you paint your condo's interior.
Average Cost To Paint A Room
Painters charge $300 to $1,000 per room, depending on the size. The average cost to paint a 12' x 12' room is $400 to $950. Labor costs alone are $180 to $650 per room. The DIY cost to paint a room is $100 to $300, which requires two gallons of paint.
| 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 |
Average Labor Cost To Paint A Room
The average labor cost to paint a room is $180 to $650, which typically makes up 70% to 85% of the total cost. Painters charge $1 to $3 per square foot of coverage area for room painting or $20 to $50 per hour for smaller projects.
| Charge | Average Cost* |
|---|---|
| Per Square Foot | $1 – $3 |
| Per Room | $180 – $650 |
| Per Hour | $20 – $50 |
*Prices vary depending on location, the quality of paint used, and the project's size and difficulty.
Cost To Paint A Bedroom
The average cost to paint a bedroom is $350 to $850, while a primary bedroom runs $650 to $1,400. The DIY cost to paint bedroom walls is $100 to $300, which requires two gallons of paint. Prices depend on the room size and whether the baseboards, trim, and ceiling are painted.
| Room Size | Average Cost* |
|---|---|
| 10x10 | $300 – $700 |
| 10x12 | $350 – $850 |
| 12x12 | $400 – $950 |
| 12x15 | $500 – $1,000 |
| 14x16 | $650 – $1,250 |
| 16x16 | $750 – $1,400 |
*Prices range from walls only, to walls, baseboards, doors, trim, and ceiling.
Cost To Paint A Bathroom
The average cost to paint a bathroom is $150 to $400, whereas a large primary bathroom runs $250 to $650 depending on the prep work required. Bathroom painting is more costly because of the cut in work around the tub, shower, and vanity, as well as removing towel bars and toilet paper holders.
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard Bathroom | $150 – $400 |
| Primary Bathroom | $250 – $650 |
Painters recommend using semi-gloss, eggshell, and satin paints for bathrooms due to their durability, moisture resistance, and ease of cleaning.
Cost To Paint A Living Room
The average cost to paint a living room is $600 to $2,000. Prices depend on the living room size and the ceiling height. Painting an attached dining room or large hallway add $300 to $1,000 to the cost.
| Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Small (200 SF) | $600 – $1,000 |
| Average (320 SF) | $900 – $1,600 |
| Large (450 SF) | $1,200 – $2,000 |
Cost To Paint A Kitchen
The average cost to paint kitchen walls is $150 to $250 since cabinets, backsplashes, and appliances occupy most of the wall space. Professional kitchen cabinet painting costs $30 to $60 per linear foot, or between $900 and $3,800 on average.
| Area | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Walls | $150 – $250 |
| Cabinets | $900 – $3,800 |
Cost To Paint Interior Walls
The average cost to paint interior walls is $1 to $2 per square foot of surface area. Prices double when including ceilings, baseboards, and trim. A single accent wall costs $80 to $200 to paint. The average cost to paint trim is $1 to $4 per linear foot.
Most painters have a minimum project price of $250 to $500.
| Item | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Walls only | $1.00 – $2.00 |
| Add texture | + $0.80 – $2.00 |
| Add ceilings | + $1.00 – $2.00 |
Painting Accent Walls
Painting a single accent wall costs $80 to $200 on average. Decorative painting on one wall such as a Trompe L’oeil or mural costs $35 to $150 per square foot.
Texture Painting Cost
Adding texture when painting walls costs $0.80 to $2.00 per square foot extra or between $70 and $200 for one wall. Texture also adds more surface area to the walls, which increases the amount of paint required.
Charge to Paint Ceilings
The average cost to paint a ceiling is $1 to $2 per square foot, depending on the type of texture used and the number of coats. A 12’ x 12’ room ceiling costs $150 to $300 to paint on average.
| Ceiling | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | $50 – $170 |
| Primary Bathroom | $80 – $300 |
| Bedroom | $150 – $300 |
| Primary Bedroom | $300 – $600 |
| Living Room | $250 – $1,000 |
| Kitchen | $100 – $500 |
| Open-Plan Basement | $500 – $2,000 |
Interior Painting Cost Calculator
A professional estimate typically includes prep work such as floor and furniture covering, taping, minor surface preparation, and painting the walls only. Painting ceilings, baseboards, trim, casings, windows, railing, crown molding, and wainscotting increase your overall costs.
Interior Painting Labor Cost
Interior painting labor costs $1 to $3 per square foot of coverage area or $3 to $7 per square foot of floor space. Painters charge $180 to $650 to paint a room or $20 to $50 per hour for smaller projects.
| Measure | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Per Square Foot of Coverage Area | $1 – $3 |
| Per Square Foot of Floor Space | $3 – $7 |
| Per Hour | $20 – $50 |
Additional factors that influence labor costs are:
Wall height
Total project square footage and difficulty
Quality of paint and materials used
Oil-based paints take longer to dry, increasing labor time.
Regional factors such as overhead and wages
Major drywall repairs or wallpaper removal
Changing colors between rooms
Total project time
Speed Factor
If painters charge hourly, speed will be an essential pricing factor. Most painters cover 80 to 120 square feet of flat surface per hour, or about the size of a small bedroom. This is after all the furniture is moved out and the prep work is completed.
| Task | Hourly Labor Estimate |
|---|---|
| Prep Work & Masking | 0.5 – 2 per room |
| Moving Furniture | 1 – 2 |
| Painting Ceiling & Trim | 1 – 2 per coat |
| Painting Walls | 0.5 – 1 per coat |
| Painting Windows | 0.5 each |
| Cleanup | 0.5 – 1 |
| Moving Furniture Back In | 1 – 2 |
Interior Painting Cost Estimator
When estimating interior painting costs, the first step is measuring the entire painting surface of your home or room. The example below is for a 10’ x 12’ room with an 8’ ceiling, one door, and one window.
Measure the perimeter of the room – For a 10’ x 12’ room, add the four wall lengths. 10 + 12 + 10 + 12 = 44’
Calculate the wall area – Multiply the perimeter with the ceiling height. 44 × 8 = 352 SF
Subtract for windows and doors to get the coverage area – Subtract 21 SF per door and 16 SF per window. 352 - 21 - 16 = 315 SF
Calculate the cost to hire a painter – Painters charge $1 to $3 SF of coverage area. 315 × $1 = $315 & 315 × $3 = $945
Get your final estimate per room – A painter's final price for a 10x12 room ranges between: $315 – $945
Calculate how much paint you need – One gallon of paint covers up to 400 SF. Professionals recommend two coats of paint and buying more than you need. (315 / 400) × 2 = 1.6 gallons
Additional Painting Prep Work
In addition to laying drop cloths and taping, damaged walls may need sanding, patching, stripping, caulking, spackling, and crack repair before painting. Plus, you may need trim and baseboard installation, window replacement, furniture moving, or wallpaper removal.
| Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Interior door painting costs | $75 – $150 each |
| Install Baseboards and Trim | $4 – $8 per linear foot |
| Drywall Installation Cost | $1.60 – $2.35 per square foot |
| Cost of Plastering Walls | $2 – $10 per square foot | Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost | $1 – $2 per square foot |
| Sanding & Patching | $1 – $3 per square foot |
| Drywall Repair Prices | $150 – $325 |
| Window Replacement Cost | $400 – $800 per window |
| Moving Furniture Prices | $35 – $60 per hour |
| Wallpaper Removal Costs | $1 – $3 per square foot |
New Construction Interior Painting Cost
Interior painting for new construction costs $2 to $5 per square foot depending on the home size, ceiling heights, the number of colors, and the level of detail. Contractors typically flat paint and spray the entire home interior one color.
Commercial Building Interior Painting Cost
Interior commercial painters charge $2 to $6 per square foot. Cost estimates depend on the size of the job and whether it's new construction or a repaint.
How Much Does Paint Cost?
Paint costs $15 to $50 per gallon and covers up to 400 square feet per can. Professional painters get up to a 50% discount on paint. To calculate how much paint you need, multiply the wall length by its height and subtract for any doors, windows, or unpaintable areas.
Paint Cost Calculator
High-quality paint lasts longer and is easier to clean. Always buy the best-quality paint you can afford. Below are the interior paint estimates per gallon.
| Brand / Sheen | Flat | Eggshell | Satin | Semi-Gloss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valspar | $15 – $55 | $23 – $49 | $27 – $50 | $25 – $52 |
| Glidden | $18 – $40 | $20 – $40 | $23 – $29 | $22 – $30 |
| Behr | $15 – $42 | $18 – $44 | $31 – $45 | $20 – $46 |
| Benjamin Moore | $43 – $80 | $43 – $80 | $40 – $80 | $43 – $80 |
| Sherwin Williams | $36 – $43 | $38 – $45 | $39 – $46 | $40 – $47 |
Types of Wall Paint
Latex and oil-based paint are the two main types of paint to choose from.
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Latex |
|
| Oil-based |
|
Paint Gloss
Interior paints come in five different finishes: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss.
High-gloss paints cost more, but are great for kitchens and bathrooms and are easier to clean.
Flat or eggshell sheens are best for bedrooms, halls, and living rooms and hide flaws better than glossier paints.
Paint Primer
Paint primer costs $10 to $30 per gallon on average and ensures the paint sticks to the surface evenly. Most jobs require a primer, such as if the wall has been painted over, the walls had wallpaper or a textured surface, or for a more drastic color change.
Use a latex-based primer with latex paint and an oil-based primer with oil paint.
A stain-blocking primer offers mildew resistance and blocks most stains from bleeding through the paint.
Paint-and-primer combo products are suitable for repainting the same color, or small touch-ups.
How Much Paint Do I Need For A Room?
One gallon of paint covers up to 400 square feet, which is enough to paint an average bathroom. A standard-size room needs 2 to 3 gallons of paint to cover between 800 and 1,200 square feet with two coats of paint.
| Room Size | Coverage Area | Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| Average Bathroom | 400 SF | 1 |
| Average Room | 800 SF | 2 |
| Large Room | 1,200 SF | 3 |
| Living Room or Several Average Rooms | 1,600 SF | 4 |
*The amount of paint needed depends on how many coats you need to apply, the porousness of the wall surface, and the paint quality.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room Yourself?
The average cost to paint a room yourself is $100 to $300, which includes supplies and paint. Painting a house interior DIY is time-consuming and requires moving furniture, prepping the area, applying the paint, and cleaning up. Compare this to hiring professional painters at $300 to $800 per room.
Supplies Needed To Paint A Room
Paint supplies cost $50 to $200, depending on the room size and complexity. These items are also reusable for multiple projects in the future. If you hire a professional painter, they will typically bring supplies.
| Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Ladder | $80 – $300 |
| Paint Sprayer Rental | $30 – $50 per day |
DIY Painting Steps
Follow these basic steps to paint a room DIY:
Choose your color(s) – Home improvement stores offer samples you can take home and test.
Buy the materials – Each job needs sandpaper, tape, rollers, drop cloths, rags, brushes, tape, and more.
Buy the paint and primer – First, calculate how much paint and primer you need. The general rule is one gallon per 400 square feet of wall area.
Prep the walls and room – Clean the walls. Then, remove all the furniture, remove electrical outlets (turn off the electricity first), and cover everything with a drop cloth.
Apply painter's tape – Tape the edges of the room's corners, base, doors, and window casings to create clean lines.
Mix and apply each coat – Make sure the area is well ventilated, then follow the instructions on the paint can to apply multiple coats. Don't forget the primer. Touch up baseboards and trim as needed.
Clean up – Make sure all paint is completely dry before removing painter's tape and drop cloths.
Interior Painting FAQs
How Much Do Interior Painters Charge Per Hour?
Painters charge $20 to $50 per hour, with specialty projects like murals ranging from $70 to $100 an hour. Most professional painters charge by the project or square foot rather than hourly rates.
How Much Do Painters Charge To Paint A Room Per Square Foot?
Painters charge $1 to $3 per square foot on average to paint the walls in a room. Costs increase for painting the ceiling, trim, baseboards, and doors.
How Much Does Painting and Decorating Cost Per Hour?
Hiring an interior decorator costs $50 to $200 per hour to design and oversee the painting of a home. Interior designers help choose the perfect paint colors to create a welcoming environment.
How Much Does It Cost To Paint A 12x12 Room?
Painting a 12' x 12' room costs $450 to $950, depending on if you include the ceiling, doors, and trim. It takes about three gallons of paint to apply two coats to a 12' x 12' room.
How Much Does It Cost To Paint A 10x10 Room?
The average cost to paint a 10' x 10' room is $300 to $700, depending on if you include the ceiling, doors, and trim. It takes two gallons of paint to apply two coats to a 10' x 10' room.
How Long Does It Take to Paint A House Interior?
Painting a medium-sized bedroom takes 4 to 5 hours, while a typical bathroom takes 2 to 4 hours. The time includes moving furniture, taping the edges, covering the floor, prepping the surface, and cleanup. Painting the trim adds one to two hours.
| Room | Hours To Paint |
|---|---|
| Bedroom | 4 – 5 |
| Primary Bedroom | 5 – 6 |
| Bathroom | 2 – 3 |
| Primary Bathroom | 3 – 4 |
| Kitchen | 4 – 5 |
| Living Room | 5 – 7 |
| Open Plan Basement | 6 – 12 |
| Trim & Baseboards | + 1 – 2 |
How Much Does It Cost To Paint A Stairwell?
The average cost to paint a stairwell, spindles, baseboards, and handrails is $15 to $30 per linear foot of stairway. Taller stairwells and hard-to-reach areas may require scaffolding and increase overall costs.
| Height | Cost Per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| 8’ – 13’ | $16 |
| 13’ – 17’ | $20 |
| 17’ – 19’ | $24 |
| 19’+ | $30 |
How To Budget For Entire House Painting
Experts recommend putting aside 1% of the purchase price of your home annually to cover future repairs, including painting. Consider these tips to save on painting costs:
Only paint accent walls to change the look of a room at a fraction of the cost.
Do the prep work yourself, such as moving furniture, dusting and cleaning the walls, removing outlet covers, and laying drop cloths.
Do the cleanup yourself, such as removing the drop cloths, and moving everything back into place.
Combine multiple painting projects at once to get a bulk rate discount.
Let contractors buy the paint since they get it cheaper and typically stick to high-quality paints that last longer.
Hiring A Professional Painter
When hiring an interior painter, do your research, ask plenty of questions, and get at least three quotes from contractors with a good reputation.
Getting Interior Painting Quotes
Research painting contractors near you, or ask friends, family, and neighbors for references.
Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide and Google.
Contact 3 to 5 professionals for estimates to compare.
Always get painting estimates in person, and be skeptical of low bids.
Verify their licensing, insurance, and experience.
Never pay cash and figure out a reasonable payment plan up front.
Get a detailed contract in writing, including prep work and cleanup.
Remember, the lowest bid is not always the best value since they might use cheap materials or unskilled labor.
Questions To Ask Interior Painters
How long have you been in business?
Are your license and insurance up to date?
Will you be using subcontractors?
How many painting jobs have you completed in the last year?
Can I have a list of references with contact information?
What paints do you recommend for my home, and why?
If you get paint on the furniture, are you liable?
Do you offer a warranty or guarantee your work?