Interior Painting Cost Factors

Beyond square footage and room type, several key factors influence the cost of your interior painting project.

Size

Interior painting costs between $2 and $6 per square foot, including paint and materials, with most jobs averaging $3.50 per square foot.

Interior Painting by Room Type

You might be wondering if the cost of interior painting varies by room. The answer is yes, because of the difference in square footage. Painting a bathroom costs less since it's typically the smallest room. The living room is typically the largest in the home and will cost more to paint.

Materials

A 2-gallon can of paint covers up to 800 square feet, enough for two coats in an average-sized room. A 3-gallon can covers up to 1,200 square feet. Typically, you'll need about 6 gallons of paint per coatfor the average home.

Most gallons of paint cost between $15 and $40, depending on the type and finish. Flat paint averages $13 per gallon, semi-gloss interior paint costs around $17 per gallon, and high-gloss enamel paint averages $35 per gallon. VOC-free paints also average around $35 per gallon.

Gloss vs. Matte

You can expect to spend about $2 more per gallon for each increase in gloss level—the glossier the paint, the higher the cost. For an average-sized home, choosing glossy paint adds roughly $10 to your final cost. Glossy paints are more stain-resistant and easier to clean, making them ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and dining rooms.

Primer

Primer costs around $10 per gallon, covering approximately 100 square feet with a single coat. Primer is the step most people want to skip, but applying it before that first coat of paint can help the finished product look smoother and last longer. Some brands even sell paint and primer in one. Primers come in water-based latex or oil-based types.

For walls and ceilings, use a water-based primer. And for doors, windows, metal, and woodwork, use oil-based. If you have water damage or mold stains, try a stain-blocking primer.

Labor

Labor costs account for 75% to 95% of the total painting cost.Professional painters may charge by the square foot of coverage or by floor space, so discuss pricing structures with your local professional painter to understand your estimate.

Accent Walls

Painting an accent wall can increase your project costs by 20% to 30% due to additional paint and materials. Specialty work like murals can cost between $1,000 and $2,000 because they require specialized labor.

To choose the perfect accent wall, select one with maximum focal point potential, such as:

• Living room: Choose the wall where the fireplace or TV is situated.

• Bedroom: Choose the wall your bed sits against.

• Wall art: An accent wall is a great way to complement or showcase a collection or piece of art.

• Open or close a room: You can add an accent wall on one end of a narrow hallway to provide a lengthening effect.

Textured Walls

Painting textured walls can increase costs significantly, as textured walls can require double the amount of paint compared to smooth walls, potentially driving up painting fees by up to 50%. Factor in the additional surface area into your square footage when seeking professional estimates.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Doing the interior painting work yourself can save you between $1,700 and $1,800, as most DIY painters spend only $200 to $300 on supplies. However, remember to factor in the time and effort required. It’s best to hire a local professional painter to ensure the job is done correctly and efficiently.

“Many homeowners will offer to buy the paint for the professional painter, thinking that they’ll save money,” says Bob Tschudi, Expert Home Building and Remodeling Contributor. “But painters usually get significant discounts from their suppliers and often pass some of that savings on to you.”

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 30,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.