How Much Does It Cost To Paint A House Interior or Room?

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 home interior is $1,200 to $3,900. Labor costs alone account for 70% to 85% of your total paint job.

Interior Painting Cost Per Square Foot Calculator

Measure	Cost Per Square Foot
Coverage Area	$1 – $3
Floor Space	$3 – $7

Interior Painting Cost

Room	Average Cost
Interior Door	$75 – $150
Bedroom	$350 – $850
Master Bedroom	$650 – $1,400
Bathroom	$150 – $400
Kitchen	$150 – $250
Living Room	$600 – $2,000
Apartment / Condo	$900 – $3,000
1,500 SF House	$1,300 – $4,400
2,000 SF House	$1,600 – $5,600
2,500 SF House	$1,800 – $6,300

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 return on investment of more than 100 percent.

Table of Contents

1. Interior Painting Cost
2. Cost To Paint Interior of House
   • Whole Interior
   • By Bedrooms
   • Apartment / Condo
3. Average Cost To Paint A Room
   • Labor Rates
   • Bedroom
   • Bathroom
   • Living Room / Hallway
   • Kitchen
4. Cost To Paint Interior Walls
   • Accent / Textured
   • Ceilings
5. Interior Painting Cost Calculator
   • Labor Cost
   • How To Estimate
   • Prep Work
   • New Construction
   • Commercial
6. How Much Does Paint Cost?
   • How Much Paint For A Room?
7. How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room Yourself?
8. Frequently Asked Questions
   • How Long Does It Take?
9. Hiring A Professional Painter
10. Interior Painters Near Me

Cost to Paint Interior of House

The average cost to paint a house interior is $1 to $3 per square foot of floor space. The cost to paint the interior of a 1,500 sqft home is $1,500 to $2,400. Painting an average home of 2,500 sqft costs from $2,100 to $3,900 on average.

Average Cost to Paint Interior of House

National Average Cost	$2,100
Minimum Cost	$700
Maximum Cost	$7,500
Average Range	$1,200 to $3,900

Cost To Repaint A Whole House Interior

The cost to repaint a whole house interior ranges from $1,000 to $7,500 depending on the size. Painting an entire 2,000 square foot house costs $1,600 to $5,600 on average. Prices fall on the higher-end of the range when also painting the ceilings, trim, doors, and baseboards.

Whole House Painting Cost

Home Square Feet	Average Cost To Paint
800	$700 – $3,000
1,000	$800 – $3,600
1,200	$1,000 – $3,900
1,300	$1,100 – $4,100
1,400	$1,200 – $4,300
1,500	$1,300 – $4,400
1,600	$1,400 – $4,600
1,800	$1,500 – $5,300
2,000	$1,600 – $5,600
2,200	$1,700 – $5,900
2,500	$1,800 – $6,300
3,000	$2,000 – $7,500

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.

Cost To Paint Inside of House

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.

Apartment Painting Price List

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 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.

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Average Cost To Paint A Room

Painters charge $300 to $1,000 per room on average, depending on the size. The average cost to paint a 12x12 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.

Cost To Paint A Room

Room	Average Cost
Bathroom	$150 – $400
Master Bathroom	$250 – $650
Kitchen	$150 – $250
Bedroom	$350 – $850
Master 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 your 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.

Average Labor Cost To Paint A Room

Charge	Average Cost
Per Square Foot	$1 – $3
Per Room	$180 to $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 master 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.

Cost To Paint A Bedroom

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 master 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.

Cost To Paint A Bathroom

Type	Average Cost
Standard Bathroom	$150 – $400
Master Bathroom	$250 – $650

Painters recommend using semi-gloss, eggshell, and satin paints for bathrooms due to the 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 size of your living room and the height of the ceilings. Painting an attached dining room or large hallway costs $300 to $1,000 more on average.

Cost to Paint a Living Room

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.

Cost To Paint A Kitchen

Area	Average Cost
Walls	$150 – $250
Cabinets	$900 – $3,800

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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. However, most painters have a minimum project price of $250 to $500.

Cost To Paint Interior Walls

Item	Cost Per Square Foot
Walls only	$1 – $2
Add texture	+ $0.50 – $1
Add ceilings	+ $1 – $2

• The average cost to paint trim is $1 to $4 per linear foot.

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 and $150 per square foot.

Texture Painting Cost

Adding texture when painting walls costs $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot extra or between $40 and $150 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.

Cost To Paint A Ceiling

Ceiling	Average Cost
Bathroom	$50 – $170
Master Bathroom	$80 – $300
Bedroom	$150 – $300
Master Bedroom	$300 – $600
Living Room	$250 – $1,000
Kitchen	$100 – $500
Open-Plan Basement	$500 – $2,000

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Interior Painting Cost Calculator

The prices in professional estimates typically include prep work such as floor and furniture covering, taping, and 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 Cost Calculator

	Length of room in feet
	Width of room in feet
	Height of ceiling in feet
	Number of doors
	Number of windows

*Estimated cost to hire a professional painter. Paint needed based on 2 coats at 400 SF per gallon.

Interior Painting Labor Cost

Interior painting labor costs $1 to $3 per square foot of coverage area or between $3 and $7 per square foot of floor space. Painters charge $180 to $650 to paint a room or between $20 and $50 per hour for smaller projects.

Interior Painting Labor Cost

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:

1. Wall height
2. Total project square footage and difficulty
3. Quality of paint and materials used
4. Oil-based paints take longer to dry which increase labor time
5. Regional factors such as overhead and wages
6. Major drywall repairs or wallpaper removal
7. Changing colors between rooms
8. Total time it takes

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.

Estimated Painting Labor

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.

1. Measure the perimeter of the room – For a 10’ x 12’ room, add the four wall lengths.
   10 + 12 + 10 + 12 = 44’
2. Calculate the wall area – Multiply the perimeter with the ceiling height.
   44 × 8 = 352 SF
3. 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
4. Calculate the cost to hire a painter – Painters charge $1 to $3 SF of coverage area.
   315 × $1 = $315 & 315 × $3 = $945
5. Get your final estimate per room – A painter's final price for a 10x12 room ranges between:
   $315 – $945
6. 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.

Additional Painting Services Prices

Service	Average Cost
Interior door painting costs	$75 – $150 each
Install Baseboards and Trim	$4 – $8 /LF
Drywall Installation Cost	$1.60 – $2.35 /SF
Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost	$1 – $2 /SF
Sanding & Patching	$1 – $3 /SF
Drywall Repair Prices	$150 – $325
Window Replacement Cost	$400 – $800 per window
Moving Furniture Prices	$35 – $60 /HR
Wallpaper Removal Costs	$1 – $3 /SF

New Construction Interior Painting Cost

Interior painting for new construction costs $2 to $5 per square foot depending on the size of the house, the heights of the ceilings, the number of colors used, and the level of detail. Typically, contractors will 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.

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How Much Does Paint Cost?

Paint costs $15 to $50 per gallon on average and covers up to 400 square feet per can. Professional painters buy paint up to 50% less than homeowners. To calculate how much paint you need, times the wall length by its height and subtract for any doors, windows, or unpaintable areas.

Paint Cost Calculator

Higher quality paints last longer and are easier to clean. Always buy the best-quality paint you can afford. Below are the interior paint estimates per gallon.

Interior Paint Prices

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.

1. Latex paint is typically used on walls and ceilings, is easier to work with, dries quickly, and provides a long-lasting finish.
2. Oil-based paint works well on trim, is more durable, has a good stain resistance, and provides better coverage. However, it's harder to clean up and takes longer to dry.

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 can on average and ensures the paint sticks the surface evenly. Most jobs require a primer, especially 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 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 two to three gallon-cans of paint to cover between 800 and 1,200 square feet with two coats of paint.

Paint Needed For A Room

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.

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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 on average, depending on the complexity and size of the room. These items are also reusable for multiple projects in the future. If you hire a professional painter, they will typically bring supplies.

Supplies Needed To Paint A Room

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

Here are the basic steps to paint a room DIY:

1. Choose your color(s) – Home improvement stores offer samples you can take home and test.
2. Buy the materials – Each job needs sandpaper, tape, rollers, drop cloths, rags, brushes, tape, and more.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Apply painter's tape – Tape the edges of the room's corners, base, doors, and window casings to create clean lines.
6. 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.
7. Clean up – Make sure all paint is completely dry before removing painter's tape and drop cloths.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Do Interior Painters Charge Per Hour?

Painters charge $20 to $50 per hour on average, 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 for designing and overseeing 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?

The average cost to paint a 12x12 room is $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 12x12 room.

How Much Does It Cost To Paint A 10x10 Room?

The average cost to paint a 10x10 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 10x10 room.

How Long Does It Take to Paint A House Interior?

The average time it takes to paint a medium-sized bedroom is four to five hours, while a typical bathroom takes two to four 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.

Time It Takes To Paint A Room

Room	Hours To Paint
Bedroom	4 – 5
Master Bedroom	5 – 6
Bathroom	2 – 3
Master 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.

Cost To Paint A Stairwell

Height	Cost Per Linear Foot
8’ – 13’	$16
13’ – 17’	$20
17’ – 19’	$24
19’+	$30

How To Budget For Entire House Painting

It’s recommended to put aside 1% of the purchase price of your home annually to cover future repairs, including painting. To save on painting costs, consider these tips:

• 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.

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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, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Contact at least three professionals for price quotes.
• 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 upfront.
• Get a detailed contract in writing, including prep work and cleanup.

Questions To Ask Interior Painters

1. How long have you been painting?
2. Is your license and insurance up to date?
3. Will you be using subcontractors?
4. How many painting jobs have you completed in the last year?
5. Can I have a list of references with contact information?
6. What paints do you recommend?
7. If you get paint on the furniture, are you liable?
8. Do you offer a warranty or guarantee your work?

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