Painting the interior of a space or home involves more than a few buckets of paint and brushes. It also requires planning, budgeting, and dedicated time. The cost of interior painting varies widely, with a typical range from $2,910 to $5,710 and a national average of about $4,185.
Factors that affect the total cost include the size of the area being painted, labor, and wall condtions. Whether you’re trying to update your home or give the new apartment a brighter look, the average cost per square foot to paint your interior is $3, with a typical range of $2 to $5.
- Average Cost
- Cost Estimator by Area Size
- Cost Estimator for an Apartmentt
- Cost Estimator by Room
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- Cost of Interior Painting by Location
- FAQ
Average Interior Painting Costs in 2024
| National Average Cost | $4,185 |
| Typical Price Range | $2,910 – $5,710 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost (one room) | $450 |
| Extreme High-End Cost (large house) | $11,500 |
For a house in the U.S. of about 1,500 square feet, a homeowner can expect to pay between $2,910 and $5,710 for interior painting. The amount will vary depending on the size and complexity of your project.
Maybe you want to paint only one room, and you aren’t picky about getting the best paint brand. You could pay as low as $450 for a professional paint job. Or say you want to get the whole interior of the house painted by professionals with the best equipment. The high-end cost reaches up to about $11,500.
Cost Estimator by Area Size
The size of the area you want to paint greatly affects the total cost. On average, interior painting costs about $3 per square foot with a typical range of about $2 to $5 per square foot. Measuring your home’s interior is a great way to plan ahead and see what your budget can cover.
| Area Size | Average Overall Costs |
| 800 sq. ft. | $1,600 – $4,000 |
| 1000 sq. ft. | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| 1200 sq. ft. | $2,400 – $6,000 |
| 1500 sq. ft. | $3,000 – $7,500 |
| 1800 sq. ft. | $3,600 – $9,000 |
| 2000 sq. ft. | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| 2500 sq. ft. | $5,000 – $12,500 |
| 3000 sq. ft. | $6,000 – $15,000 |
It’s a good thing to note how large the numbers range. Cost factors such as the quality and amount of paint, primer, and equipment used also add to the cost. Also, cost per square foot might not come into play for very small areas because some painting contractors have minimum prices that they follow.
Cost Estimator for an Apartment
Apartment living can feel restricting when it comes to what you’re allowed to change. That said, some landlords are willing to let you paint the walls (with some restrictions). The cost to hire a pro to paint your apartment will depend on the room size and the restrictions that were given to you by your landlord. But a fresher, livelier living space might be worth the expense.
| Apartment Type | Average Cost |
| Studio | $1,450 |
| One Bedroom | $2,075 |
| Two Bedroom | $2,600 |
| Condominium (two bed) | $2,775 |
Cost Estimator By Room
Have a room in mind that needs a fresh coat of paint? Characteristics such as wall height and the complexity of the room design can make the cost of painting one room higher than another.
| Room | Average Cost | Average Range |
| Bedroom | $560 | $315-$800 |
| Master bedroom | $1,265 | $650-$1,450 |
| Bathroom | $210 | $115-$300 |
| Master bathroom | $475 | $300-$650 |
| Living room | $1,535 | $600-$2,000 |
| Kitchen | $540 | $320-$765 |
| Dining room | $835 | $535-$1,135 |
Bedroom
The average cost to paint a bedroom is about $560. Bedrooms typically have a lot of surface area and are therefore relatively easy to paint. For large bedrooms, such as a master bedroom, you can expect a high of up to $1,450.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are almost always small and contain appliances that cover up wall space. They may also contain tile on the walls, which lowers the square footage that must be painted. The typical cost to paint a bathroom is $210. With half-baths being an extreme low, and larger master bathrooms being an extreme high, prices can go as little as $115 or as high as $650.
If you’re looking to remodel the bathroom and want to save some cash by bundling, you can also install bathroom flooring for an average cost of $1,910. Certain contractors will give discounts for package deals.
Living Room
Living rooms differ from house to house. If you have an open area to cover, make sure you specify where the boundaries lie. The average cost to paint a living room is roughly $1,535. This base average may change depending on the conditions of your room as well as wall height. Some contractors charge more for higher ceilings.
Kitchen
Despite the fact that kitchens can be large and sometimes difficult to paint, they generally cost less due to the appliances and countertops covering up wall space. Kitchens cost anywhere between $320 to $765, with an average of about $540.
If you’re in the market to replace your kitchen floor, this is another good time to consider bundling two projects in one. The average cost to replace your kitchen floor is $3,115.
Dining Room
Dining rooms are generally easy to paint with lots of wall space to cover. On average, the cost to paint a dining room is $835, with a typical range from about $535 to $1,135.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Additional costs for materials and labor are the second-most important price factor after the size of the space. What kind of paint is being used? How many gallons? Certain contractors will charge more per hour, and the texture of your walls can influence how much paint will be needed.
All of these can affect the total cost of your interior painting project. We’ll go over the most significant factors to help you understand where your money is going and how to save more of it.
Labor Costs
Most contractors will give an estimate based on supplies and labor costs, but it can’t hurt to know what you’ll be looking at to help with budgeting. The average hourly cost for labor ranges from $25 to $75.
Remember that this cost is per person. So the cost for two workers for one hour at a rate of $25 per hour will be $50. The more workers, the higher the cost. But with more hands to work, less time is needed to complete the job.
Type of Paint
The cost of paint per gallon averages around $20 to $55. Not all paint is created equal, and the range in prices indicate as much. Everything from the quality to the color to what brand it is will affect the overall cost. Not to mention the addition of a primer if included. Keep this in mind when comparing contractors’ estimates.
Ceilings
Before considering your total cost, remember that ceilings factor into the overall price as well. One prominent way is height. Wall height affects ceiling height, and taller walls or ceilings can up the total cost.
This is important to consider, especially if you want to paint your ceilings, too. The average cost to paint your ceilings is about $460 per room, with a typical range of $200 to $715.
Wall Condition
The condition of your walls is another thing that contractors will look at when giving estimates. This might apply if there are cracks or if the walls are textured. Textured walls, like popcorn or swirl patterns, can be harder to paint and often require more coats of paint. Textured walls cost an additional $3 to $6 per square foot to paint.
Related Services
When hiring professional painters to paint your home’s interior, you might want to take a look at other features of the house while you’re at it. Bundling services is a great way to get more done for less money. This is a great time to consider your home’s curb appeal (Why not have them paint the front door, too?) and make other (interior) investments toward your home.
Exterior Painting
If you want to paint the interior, this is the perfect chance to check out the home’s exterior, too. Painting your home’s exterior is a relatively simple project that can help to boost your home’s curb appeal and overall appearance. Painting the exterior of your house will cost around $3,348, with a typical range of $2,191 to $4,505.
This project cost is an investment, but what about something less extensive? When you consider the increased resale value that comes with something as simple as a newly painted front door (up to 2.9%), you might decide it’s worth a few extra bucks to keep the painters around for another hour or two.
Wallpaper Removal
On average, wallpaper removal costs about $670 per room. If you’re having professional painters come in to remove the wallpaper before painting, this cost will be added to the overall price for your project and could potentially save you from having to hire separate people.
That said, if you wanted to, you could remove the wallpaper yourself as prep work and knock off a good chunk from your total bill.
Trim and Baseboards
If you have someone coming in to paint your walls, this would be a great time to have your trim or baseboards cleaned and/or painted. To include the trim or baseboards in with your interior painting cost, you’ll spend an additional $3 per linear foot.
Trim is a broad term that refers to the added millwork that covers the space where walls meet flooring. Baseboards specifically refer to a type of board trim (often wood) that covers these gaps. They can be used for practical and decorative purposes.
Interior Design
While you spruce up the walls of your home with fresh paint, you might want to add to your home’s decor to complete the look. Adding style and panache to your interior can increase its value and also provide an aesthetic that you can be proud of.
If you want to hire a professional interior designer, the average cost is around $6,260. If you just want to redecorate or rearrange, there are ample design ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Your options are limited only by your bank account.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
Painting your home’s interior can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right equipment and preparation, it can save you from having to hire a pro. It can also be a fun project to work on with family and friends.
So what exactly do you need, and more importantly, is it cheaper than hiring a professional? First things first — you’ll need paint. The average cost for paint is about $30 per gallon, but with the many different paint colors and kinds out there, the prices range widely.
| Type of Paint | Average Cost |
| Flat | $35 – $65 |
| Eggshell | $35 – $85 |
| Satin | $40 – $90 |
| Semi-Gloss | $45 – $90 |
| High-Gloss | $50 – $80 |
Once you have paint, you’ll want the brushes, rollers, scraper, sandpaper, and maybe even a ladder. It’s important to factor in and take stock of the materials you’ll need before deciding whether this is a project you want to tackle yourself.
| DIY Equipment | Average Cost |
| Brushes | $5 – $15 |
| Rollers | $10 – $20 |
| Painters Tape | $5 – $15 |
| Paint Tray | $3 – $5 |
| Scraper | $5 – $20 |
| Sandpaper | $5 – $20 |
| Drop Cloth | $5 – $30 |
| Ladder | $125 |
| Total cost | $163 – $250 |
| Total cost plus 4 gallons of paint | $283 – $370 |
The total cost for your DIY project will come down to the size of the area you want to paint. One gallon of paint can cover about 400 square feet. For a professional to paint the interior of a roughly 1,500-square-foot house, it’ll cost about $4,185. The cost to paint the interior of a 1,500-square-foot house DIY style will cost an average of $330.
The cost of DIY interior painting is very attractive to a lot of people. However, there are others who would rather leave the interior paint job to the professionals.
Cost of Interior Painting by Location
The cost of paint and supplies will likely stay consistent no matter where you live. But the cost of labor and estimates from a painting company are likely to be different.
People in big cities with higher populations and those in coastal regions may pay more for a paint job than homeowners in rural areas. Generally, this is due to the cost of living and increased demand for painting services.
FAQ
The average cost to paint the interior of a 2,000-square-foot house is $6,000. The typical price range for this size is about $4,000 to $10,000. The range of costs takes into account different locations, equipment costs, and labor fees. If you think you might have more or less space than that, the national average cost to paint the interior of a house is about $3 per square foot.
The average price per square foot to paint the interior of a house ranges between $2 and $5. With this, you can get an estimate of how much it would cost to paint a home’s interior by finding the square footage and multiplying. For example, the cost to paint the interior of an 800-square-foot room would be about $2,400 on average.
Most wall paint is latex (water-based), so it’s typically not a concern to paint over it with another few coats of latex paint.
However, if you want to put a different kind of paint on top of existing paint, be careful. If they are different (one is oil and the other is latex), take off the old coat before you repaint. You can do this by sanding and using a scraper. Also, apply a primer before you add the new coat of paint.
Final Thoughts
Interior house painting might seem simple, but it can add new life to your home. It can change the mood from dim to bright with the swipe of a paintbrush. However, painting the interior of a house can be time-consuming, messy, and frustrating at times.
To ensure the interior of your home gets the update it needs without paint landing on the carpet, hire a professional painting company near you. You’ll get to enjoy the new colors without the hassle of painting it yourself.
Note: LawnStarter may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Image Credit: welcomia / Canva Pro / License
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