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How Much to Paint a Room?

By Kane

Last updated 26th February 2025 - Reading time: 17 mins

At a Glance

The average cost to paint a room is £400, but the prices you're quoted will depend on the size and complexity of the room.
This type of job usually takes a professional between 1 to 2 days to complete.

In this room painting guide, you’ll find:

NEW! Our painting cost calculator, which offers you an interactive and personalised way of understanding what this type of job will cost you.
A full breakdown of how much painters charge to paint rooms of different sizes and complexity in 2025.
Factors that can impact the cost of painting a room, and how long this type of job tends to take.
How to find and hire a local painter and decorator in the UK.

Looking to find out how much it costs to paint a room?

On average, you’re looking at a cost of around £400 for professional painting and decorating services.

In this guide, you can find a breakdown of room painting prices and painter prices, as well as a handy painting cost calculator, making it easy to determine a ballpark figure before hiring a decorator for painting jobs.

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Want a few more details about the cost of painting a room first?

We've got you covered! Check out the full guide below.

Average Cost of Painting a Room:

This type of job normally takes a professional painter: 1 – 2 days

£400

How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Room?
- Room Painting Prices
Additional Room Painting Costs
What Impacts Room Painting Costs?
Things To Consider With Interior Room Painting Projects
Additional Painting Supplies and Material Costs
How to Paint a Room
Room Painting Checklist
FAQs
Sources

Painting Cost Calculator

How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Room?

Painting a room is a fairly simple task for any painter and decorator and is something that any DIY enthusiast can undertake — but, how much would it cost if you were to hire a professional?

A regular 4m by 3m room would take a couple of days to paint, including all woodwork and coving. With most decorators charging around £150 to £200 per day outside of London, your total labour cost would be roughly £300 to £400.

To this figure, you'll need to add another £50 for the paint itself, which gives us an average total cost of £400.

There are also additional costs - variations in labour fees based on geography, minimum charges for small jobs, and the impact of room size and type - that impact overall pricing.

While it may seem counter-intuitive to hire a professional painter and decorator if you are on a budget, hiring a professional will often save you time, money, stress, and ensure a high-quality paint job.

Hiring a professional painter will ensure that your walls have a perfectly smooth finish, with all the correct prep work for the roof, walls, and woodwork followed, helping to make your paint job last longer.

"How much would it cost to paint a 15m² room in Yorkshire, including high-quality water-resistant paint and labour?"

"The price could vary from £200 to £450 for a medium room like yours, with the paint costing between £50 and £100. A qualified painter will likely charge you around £350 with paint included for this job."

V.R Painting LTD

Hiring a local painter and decorator is a great way to avoid DIY nightmares.

Be aware, though: When you start to get prices from painters, they will normally assume that you'll remove all furniture from the room, as well as strip all existing wallpaper.

House painting quotes will also assume that only minor repairs are needed to the existing wall and woodwork before painting, so small cracks in plaster or chips in woodwork are fine - but large holes or crumbling plaster aren't!

As standard, professional painters will apply two coats to walls and ceiling, plus an undercoat and then gloss to woodwork.

You can use our free “find a local tradesman” service by simply choosing the type of tradesman you want, entering your contact details, and adding a description of the job.

You'll then receive up to 3 quotes without having to search the Yellow Pages or trawl through lots of websites, as it’s all done on MyJobQuote in just 3 easy steps!

"How much does it cost to professionally paint a 16m² bedroom, including labour and materials?"

"Around £500, but depending on the conditions of the walls and ceiling, it can be more than that. Materials included."

Uilliam Morris Property Services

Room Painting Prices

To give you a better idea of how much it is to paint a room, let's take a closer look at some prices and different scenarios:

Job Description	Duration	Material Cost	Labour Cost
Paint room with 2 coats emulsion	1 day	£50	£350
Paint room with 2 coats emulsion and remove old wallpaper	2 days	£50	£450
Paint room with 2 coats emulsion, remove old wallpaper plus remove then replace all furniture	3 – 4 days	£50	£475
As above plus remove and refit carpet when finished	4 days	£50	£500

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To give you an idea of how painting a bedroom costs compared to wallpapering, wallpaper hanging costs can range from £300 for walls already stripped or painted and in good condition, and can rise to £525 and above for walls needing more TLC - stripping, wall preparation, and lining.

Additional Room Painting Costs

It can be wise to have a few jobs done while a painter or decorator is already at your property. Here's what you could consider to make the most of their daily fees:

Stripping Existing Paint

If you're stripping existing paint from your home, you need to be mindful that there isn't any lead-based paint present. Chipping or fracturing this material can create hazardous conditions, leading to physical symptoms as a result of the toxic substance.

Lead paint is most prevalent in homes built before the 1960s before it was banned from use in 1992. The cost of removing lead paint professionally and safely can be anywhere from £70 to £770 depending on the size of the affected area, and your removal method.

Painting Skirting Boards

If you're having your bedroom painted, it's likely your skirting boards will be taken off to be repainted, or replaced entirely, during the course of the job. Painting skirting boards cost around £200, taking 1 day to complete - depending on the room size, and the condition of the skirting boards.

Painting Staircases

Staircases are tricky to paint and can be incredibly time-consuming. The cost to paint a staircase ranges from £350 to £450 for the professional painting and priming of a 63.5 m² staircase.

Painting House Exterior

Painting isn't just something for inside the home - you can also opt to have your home's exterior re-vamped if it's looking a little worse for wear. The cost to paint a house exterior averages at £850 for a two-storey, three-bedroom house in the UK.

Painting Exterior Doors

You can also choose to have your exterior doors painted, too, with an exterior door re-paint costing £200, and taking between 2 and 4 hours to complete. With any external painting work, it's important that you or your painter choose external paint, as interior paint won't be strong enough to withstand UV rays and outdoor elements.

What Impacts Room Painting Costs?

Room Size and Complexity

The size and complexity of a room's layout can significantly impact your overall painting cost.

Larger rooms naturally require more paint and labour, which increases the cost. Painting a spacious living room will cost more than a small bedroom due to the additional materials and time needed.

Rooms with intricate details - such as crown moulding, wainscoting, or built-in cabinetry - will demand more precision and effort, further adding to the cost.

A professional painter will take these factors into account when providing an estimate for your painting job, ensuring that all aspects of the room are considered.

Location and Regional Differences

Location and regional differences also play a crucial role in determining painting costs.

Painters in urban areas, such as London, typically charge higher rates than those in rural areas. This is due to the higher cost of living and increased demand for city services. This means that prices can vary considerably in different parts of the country and on the experience and quality of the painter.

As well as this, regional variations in labour costs, material prices, and local regulations can influence the overall cost of a painting job. When hiring a professional painter, it’s essential to consider these factors to get an accurate estimate and avoid any surprises.

Things To Consider With Interior Room Painting Projects

There are several factors which impact painting and decorating prices.

First to note is that almost all of the quotes will be for labour costs. Interior painting costs can be influenced by factors such as the use of the same paint across multiple spaces and potential discounts based on homeowner preparations.

Quality paint is much more expensive than budget paint. Strategies to save money on supply costs include reusing supplies, buying paint in bulk, and selecting cost-effective paint brands.

What’s the main reason you’re considering painting a room?

To fix damage or wear

20 votes - 27%27% of votes

To prepare for selling or renting the property

20 votes - 27%27% of votes

To change the style or color entirely

11 votes - 15%15% of votes

To freshen up the existing look

22 votes - 30%30% of votes

73 votes See results

However, there are other extras which are usually not included in standard quotes — yet can make a considerable difference to the price.

Old, stained ceilings will need to be washed with sugar soap before they can be painted, peeling gloss on woodwork will need to be completely removed, and if wallpaper needs removing, this will also add to the cost.

Wallpaper removal costs can range from £250 to £350, depending on the layers of wallpaper, the wallpaper type, and condition of the wall.

Also, once existing wallpaper has been removed, you may reveal - or even cause - large patches of crumbling or missing plasterwork, which again will cost extra to make good before it can be painted. The cost to repair plastering ranges from £75 to £130 for patch repairs, while a full-wall skim can cost closer to £150 to £200.

Once you’ve hired a painter and decorator, make sure you agree to a fixed price for the work rather than a daily rate, as this will avoid costs quickly spiralling if problems occur and the work takes longer. Also, check whether or not the quote includes VAT before comparing quotes, and ensure all quotes are for the same paint quality.

Additional Painting Supplies and Material Costs

The type and quality of paint used can significantly impact the overall cost of a painting job. There are various types of paint, each with its own unique characteristics - and price points.

For example, matte paint is often chosen for its smooth, non-reflective finish, making it ideal for hiding imperfections. However, it is less durable compared to other types, costing £5 to £8 per litre.

On the other hand, semi-gloss paint offers a higher level of durability and moisture resistance, making it suitable for areas like kitchens and bathrooms, but it comes at a higher cost, ranging between £9 to £18 per litre. It's a versatile option with reflective qualities, durability, and resistance to grime, grease, and moisture, making it a practical choice.

Glossy paint, known for its shiny finish and easy-to-clean surface, is the most expensive but provides excellent durability. Glossy paint can cost in the region of £12 to £25 per litre.

Here are some approximate costs for different types of paint:

Matte paint: £5 – £8 per litre
Semi-gloss paint: £8 – £16 per litre
Glossy paint: £12 – £25 per litre

When estimating the overall cost of a painting job, it’s essential to consider the cost of paint and other materials. A professional painter can help you choose the right type and quality of paint that fits your specific needs and budget, ensuring a high-quality finish that meets your expectations.

Note that the costs mentioned above are approximate and may vary depending on the specific location, brand, and quality of paint.

How to Paint a Room

If you’re looking for a professional finish, it’s best to hire a professional.

That being said, if you have the time and patience to tackle the job yourself, all you need are a few basic tools and a day or so to finish the job without hassle or spending any more money than some paint and basic materials.

You may not get the same finish as a professional, but you can save a lot of money.

It's important to note that if you've recently had an home extension built, your newly plastered walls will require special attention when being painted for the very first time. You can find out what differences you need to keep in mind in our painting over new plaster guide, including the type of paint you can - and can't - use.

Should I start painting a room from the ceiling or walls? What’s the professional approach?

"Always start at the top. Ceilings first, then walls and woodwork. As a professional, I have a system that works for me. You start with ceilings and top to bottom. That way, if you get any drops on the lower half, you can roll it out as it’s not finished."

RGC Property Maintenance

Here's what you need to know about painting a room:

Preparation is the most important part of any painting job. Take the time to make sure the walls are prepared properly, and the painting itself will be much easier.
Start by removing anything in the way. The less clutter, the faster the job will be.
Cover any furniture not being removed with old bed sheets, and cover your floors with plastic sheeting.
If your walls are dirty or dusty, wash them with a sponge to remove any dirt or grime, but don’t soak the walls — otherwise, it will take ages to dry.
Use painter’s tape to go around the edges of the room to create a straight edge for your paint along skirting boards, door and window frames, electric sockets, and switches.
If your walls have any holes or large cracks in the plaster, these will need to be filled in first using ready-mixed filler and a scraper. Once the filler is dry, use sandpaper to smooth the area so it is ready for painting.
Use a primer or undercoat as a barrier between the old paint and the new paint, followed by two coats of your final colour. Paint the edges first using a small brush, starting with the areas that you taped off, ensuring you don't go over the edge of the tape.
Once your edges are done, use a roller starting in the middle of the wall and rolling away from you in diagonal directions until the wall is fully painted.
Wait the appropriate time before starting the next coat, and repeat the process.
When the final coat of paint has been applied, carefully remove the painter’s tape before the paint is dry, then leave for 8 hours before hanging anything on the wall or moving furniture against the walls.

I have some walls that are magnolia and some walls that have been re-plastered and painted white with a ghost coat. Do I need to paint the magnolia walls white before applying grey to ensure an even tone across all walls?"

"You can paint over the magnolia with grey paint without it looking like a missmatch. Just make sure you give the whole wall 2 coats of paint."

Lunar Builders/Flat Pack Assembly

Room Painting Checklist

Most quotes will assume all furniture will be removed from the room by the customer.
If you want wallpaper removed, then this will add extra time and money.
The vast majority of the cost of painting will be labour.
Most decorators will include minor repairs to the walls in any quotes.
Paint cost varies based on the type of paint finish, such as eggshell, gloss, satin, semi-gloss, and matte. Each type has different characteristics and suitability, with prices allowing for comparison and informed decisions.
Make sure you get at least 3 quotes from different painters to get a fair quote for your project.
Ensure your quote is in written format, and check that it includes everything you expect it to.

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FAQs

If I Want to Paint One Wall a Different Colour, How Can I Choose the Right Wall?

The feature or accent wall will depend on the space, but the wall that comes into view opposite the entrance, in most cases, works best as the feature wall.

How Do I Choose the Best Interior Colour?

Light colours work best in dark rooms and make walls and ceilings appear to be further away, so small rooms feel larger. Dark colours can make a room feel more intimate and cosy. Bright colours give the room a cheerful, upbeat feel. For square rooms, make one wall a feature wall by painting it in a different colour to give the room a more dramatic, less boxy look.

How Do I Select the Right Brush Size?

As a general rule, you should use the largest size brush that can be used comfortably. A 3-inch brush is great for corners that can't be reached using a roller. For narrow surfaces like door and window frames, use a brush that's slightly narrower than the width of the frames. For detail work or getting into awkward areas, use a 1 inch angled sash brush.

When Painting a Room, in Which Order Should I Paint the Walls, Ceilings, and Skirting Boards?

This is debatable, but generally, the ceiling and walls should be primed first, then the ceilings painted first, and then the walls. Then the skirting and door/window frames can be primed and glossed.

How Much Cleaning Is Necessary Before Painting?

You should regularly remove all dirt and dust from the surface to be painted using warm, soapy water. Mould and mildew should be removed using a ready-made remover or by making up a cleaning solution of 1 part bleach and 3 parts water. Once washed, all surfaces need to be rinsed thoroughly and allowed to dry completely before painting.