Do you want to give your rooms a refreshed look and enhance your home’s worth? Consider painting it with some high quality brands as per your budget. The Cost To Paint A Room can range between $2 and $9 per square foot.
This cost depends on several factors like your room size, wall height, chosen paint, its type, quality, and more. Today, I’ll give a brief overview of what you should consider when painting your home. I’m also sharing a room painting cost calculator with you to get an accurate estimate of the average cost to paint your room.
Room Painting Cost Calculator
Average Cost To Paint A Room In 2025
Painting your home can make it look new and increase its value. However, it may cost you from several hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on your room size, work needed, and whether you hire a professional or do it yourself. On average, painting a room costs around $5.5 per square foot. For example, a bathroom measuring 100 square feet might cost between $176 and $744.
1. Cost To Paint A Room By Room Area
The cost to paint interior of house varies by room size, its shape, and other details like architectural features and corners. However, consider that a 200 square foot room may cost you between $400 and $1,800.
| Room Size (sq ft) | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 50 | $100 - $450 |
| 100 | $200 - $900 |
| 150 | $300 - $1,350 |
| 200 | $400 - $1,800 |
| 300 | $600 - $2,700 |
| 400 | $800 - $3,600 |
| 500 | $1,000 - $4,500 |
| 750 | $1,500 - $6,750 |
| 1,000 | $2,000 - $9,000 |
| 1,250 | $2,500 - $11,250 |
| 1,500 | $3,000 - $13,500 |
2. Cost To Paint A Room By Paint Type & Quality
It’s important to choose the right paint for your room. You may choose from types like latex or enamel according to your requirements and budget. Moreover, make sure to choose high-quality paint for higher durability and best results.
| Paint Type | Quality Level | Cost Range (per sq ft) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latex/Acrylic | Economy | $2.00 - $3.50 | Rentals, temporary spaces |
| Standard | $3.50 - $5.00 | Walls in low-traffic areas | |
| Premium | $5.00 - $7.00 | High-traffic living spaces | |
| Enamel | Premium | $6.00 - $8.00 | Trim, doors, kitchens |
| Matte Finish | Designer | $7.00 - $9.00 | Modern interiors, accent walls |
| Low-VOC | Premium | $8.00 - $11.00 | Nurseries, eco-homes |
| Designer | Luxury | $10.00 - $15.00+ | High-end finishes |
3. Cost To Paint A Room By Finish Type
The paint finish plays an important role in the room’s look and paint longevity. Each finish has its own price and usage. For example, a semi-gloss finish is perfect for baseboards and trim, while a flat finish is a cost-effective option and is great for low-traffic areas.
| Finish Type | Appearance | Cost Range (per sq ft) | Best Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat/Matte | Non-reflective, velvety | $2.50 - $4.50 | Ceilings, low-traffic adult bedrooms |
| Eggshell | Soft glow (10-25% sheen) | $3.50 - $6.00 | Living rooms, hallways, dining rooms |
| Satin | Pearl-like (25-35% sheen) | $4.00 - $7.00 | Kitchens, bathrooms, kids' rooms |
| Semi-Gloss | Shiny (35-55% sheen) | $4.50 - $8.00 | Trim, doors, cabinets, wet areas |
| High-Gloss | Mirror-like (70-90% sheen) | $6.00 - $12.00+ | Accent features, furniture, modern designs |
| Textured | Dimensional surface | $8.00 - $15.00+ | Feature walls, commercial spaces |
4. Cost To Paint A Room By Primer Type
Using a primer before painting is crucial if you want to protect the surface and help paint adhere, as it may impact the cost to paint a room. You may choose a shellac-based primer for extreme sealing, especially for steel, wood, and metal surfaces. Otherwise, PVA drywall primer can be used to seal new drywall, which is perfect for drywall repair and new construction.
| Primer Type | Purpose | Cost Range (per sq ft) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVA Drywall Primer | Seals new drywall | $0.15 - $0.30 | New construction, drywall repairs |
| Multi-Purpose | General surface prep | $0.25 - $0.45 | Previously painted walls in good condition |
| Stain-Blocking | Covers stains/odors | $0.35 - $0.60 | Water stains, smoke damage, crayon marks |
| High-Adhesion | Sticks to slick surfaces | $0.40 - $0.75 | Glossy surfaces, tile, laminate, metal |
| Shellac-Based | Extreme sealing | $0.65 - $1.20 | Severe stains, smoke damage, wood knots |
| Tinted Primer | Color matching | $0.50 - $0.90 | Dark-to-light transitions, deep color changes |
What Factors Impact The Cost To Paint A Room?
Aside from your room size, shape, paint type and quality, finish type, and primer type, several other factors impact the final painting cost.
| Cost Factor | Impact Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | +10% to +25% | Staircases, tight spaces, or special equipment needs |
| Ceiling Height | +15% to +40% | Standard (8ft) vs. High/Vaulted (10ft+) ceilings |
| Coats Required | +30% to +100% | 1 vs. 2+ coats (dark colors or poor coverage) |
| Furniture Moving | +5% to +20% | Cost to move/protect furniture vs. empty room |
| Geographic Location | ±30% | Urban vs. rural labor rates |
| Seasonal Timing | ±15% | Peak (spring/summer) vs. off-season pricing |
| Surface & Wall Condition | +20% to +80% | Repairs, wallpaper removal, sanding, or damage |
| Trim & Doors | +20% to +35% | Additional time for cutting in and detailing |
1. Accessibility
If you’re room has staircases, tight spaces, or there is a need for special equipment, consider adding almost 10 to over 25% for extra labor charges.
2. Ceiling Height
Most rooms have a standard ceiling height of 8 feet. But if you have high or vaulted ceilings that are above 10 feet, consider adding the painting cost from 15 to over 40%.
3. Coats Required
Applying more than a single coat to the walls inside your room can increase your room painting cost from 30 to over 100%. However, you should paint multiple coats when painting house exterior.
4. Furniture Moving
Before starting painting, it’s important to move furniture or carpet from the space. You may do it yourself and save the money. Otherwise, it may cost you from 5 to 20% when hiring a professional or labor.
5. Geographic Location
If you’re in a high-cost-of-living or coastal area, consider adding 10 to 30% extra labor and material rates.
6. Seasonal Timing
The peak painting season, which is usually spring and summer, can raise the painting cost by 15% if scheduling is done in these seasons. Otherwise, you may get discounts in the off-season.
7. Wall Condition & Surface Prep
If the existing condition of your walls and surface isn’t good enough for painting, it may cost you an additional 10 to over 50% for the prep work, like sanding, priming, repairing cracks, holes, and imperfections.
8. Trim & Doors
Trimming and door painting can lead your room painting budget from 20 to over 35% due to the additional time for cutting in and detailing.
What Is The Cost To Paint A Bedroom?
Bedroom painting can cost you between $563 to $762 if it has an area of 200 square feet with an 8-foot ceiling height, and just minor surface prep work. However, consider paint color carefully, as there are many trending interior designs like wabi sabi interior design, vintage interior design, and maximalist interior design to choose from.
What Is The Cost To Paint A Bathroom?
A bathroom measuring 50 square feet may cost you between $183 and $248 with minimal prep work and an 8-foot ceiling height. Consider painting your bathroom during renovation work to save money.
What Is The Cost To Paint A Garage?
A garage measuring 300 square feet costs $750 to $1,235 to paint. A garage with vinyl flooring and latex paint can give you the best results. You may also consider room soundproofing during garage renovations.
What Is The Cost To Paint A Living Room?
If you have a living room consisting 8 foot ceiling height and 250 square foot of space, it’ll cost you around $760 to $1,029, depending on your chosen paint type and quality.
What Is The Cost To Paint A Kitchen?
A 100 square foot kitchen may cost you $341 to $461 with minor prep surface conditions. Consider washable paint during kitchen renovations to get higher durability. However, the kitchen renovation timeline may change from a few days to several weeks, depending on your project scope.
What Is The Cost To Paint A Basement?
A basement measuring 150 square foot costs between $413 and $942, depending on existing surface conditions and ceiling height.
Key Tips to Save Money When Painting A Room
Below are some easy-to-follow and budget-friendly tips to save money when painting a room.
- Schedule a room painting project in the offseason to get discounts.
- Get multiple quotes from different suppliers while negotiating the price.
- Check stores and online for sales on paint and supplies.
- Before ordering the paint, calculate how much paint you need to avoid waste. Instead, buy neutral colors that are easier to work with.
- Try to avoid complex designs or custom finishes that cost more
- Consider buying the material in bulk if required.
- Only buy primer when needed.
- Consider buying good-quality paint to last longer.
- Consider home rewiring before painting, and tasks like ceiling fan installation and window replacements after the painting.
- Cover your flooring and furniture yourself to avoid costly damage and save money.
- After finishing with the paint, clean and reuse brushes and rollers for future painting projects to save paint and money, and save leftover paint for future touch-ups.
By following these tips, you can save money and get a great result.
Bottom Line
Room painting can turn your space into a new, attractive, and good-looking area. It may cost you between $2 and $9 per square, depending on some key elements like room size, paint quality, existing surface conditions, and more.
To get an accurate price, you can use our room painting cost calculator or get quotes from your local suppliers. If you have any queries regarding what is the cost to paint a room, simply leave your comment below, and the experts at smartfixhome.com will be there for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is It Cheaper To Paint A Room Yourself?
Yes, DIY painting can reduce the total room painting cost by 50% or more. However, it requires supplies, time, effort,, and a steady hand for clean lines and good coverage.
What Kind Of Paint Should I Use For Interior Walls?
You can use semi-gloss for bathrooms and kitchen due to its easy cleaning. Eggshell or satin finishes can be used for bedrooms, living areas, and other spaces.
How Long Does It Take To Paint A Room?
A handy DIYer can take 1 to 2 days, depending on prep work, drying time, and experience, while a professional can paint an average-sized room in 4 to 8 hours.
What Colors Make A Room Look Bigger?
Use lighter colors on walls of your small room like pink, light gray, white, and beige, to make the space feel more open and reflective. Additionally, paint molding and trim with a lighter color to create the illusion of more space.
How To Calculate Room Size For Painting?
Simply, measure the walls and ceiling to get the total area, then measure the windows and doors. Now subtract the area of windows and doors. This will give you the actual area to paint.
