Looking to upgrade your home with a fresh coat of paint? Or moving to a new home and want to add your personal flair? Whether you’re refreshing your current home or settling into a new one, understanding the interior painting cost involved in painting your home is crucial. The national average for this project typically falls within the range of $4,500-10,500. In this guide, let’s dive into the specifics of the average cost to paint a house interior, the cost to paint a room, and the painting cost per square foot.

How Much to Paint a Home Interior

The average interior painting cost nationwide for hiring a Tasker falls within the low range of $46-51 per hour. For context, it typically takes an experienced painter anywhere from two to six hours to complete a 12’x12’ room, depending on the extent of prep and cleanup required. 

Read on to explore the various methods used to calculate how much it costs to paint a house interior.

By Square Footage

Typically, the average interior painting cost of a home is approximately $2.75 per square foot, falling within an average painting cost per square foot range of $2-6. If you want to paint the trim and ceilings, the painting cost per square foot increases to $4.69. Keep in mind that for ceilings exceeding a height of 10 feet, anticipate a 20-40% increase in the overall price.

By House Type

Not all of us live in the same dwellings. The cost to paint an apartment, which averages around 900 square feet, will come in at a lower price point than the cost to paint a single-family home, which averages 1,500 square feet. Below is a breakdown of the average cost range for each housing type. 

Housing Type	Average Square Footage	Average Cost to Paint
Single-family home	1,500	$2,500 – $10,500
Apartment unit	900	$2,700 – $6,300
Condo unit	1,250	$3,750 – $8,750

By Room

The cost to paint a room varies widely. For instance, painting a bathroom – usually a small space with limited wall area due to showers, tubs, sinks, vanities, and toilets – tends to be more affordable compared to the largest room in the house, typically the living room. Below, we break down the average cost to paint a room:

Room	Average Cost Per Room
Bathroom	$150 – $300
Bedroom	$300 – $750
Dining Room	$700 – $1,400
Living Room	$900 – $2,000
Kitchen	$300 – $750
Hallways / Entryways	$300 – $1,000

These room-by-room costs can vary due to factors such as room size, type, and layout. For example, a standard bedroom will typically be smaller than a master bedroom, resulting in a lower painting cost. Similarly, kitchens vary widely in size, but how much wall space cabinets cover will impact the overall painting expense. Hallways and entryways also differ in scope, with simpler layouts generally costing less to paint than those featuring nooks or stairs. Lastly, dining rooms, being smaller with less furniture, are often more straightforward and budget-friendly to paint.

By Surface

The type of surface you want painted will result in differing costs. For instance, if you want to paint not only the walls but also the trim and ceilings, it’s important to factor in the differing price range when determining your budget. The average cost to paint a wall typically falls between $1 and $2 per square foot. Here’s a breakdown of the average costs associated with other surfaces:

Surface	Average Cost to Paint
Walls	$1 – $2 per square foot
Ceilings	$1 – $2 per square foot
Trim	$1 – $3 per square foot
Doors	$40 – $100 per door

Interestingly, combining ceiling painting with wall painting can make the job slightly easier, accounting for the price range for painting a ceiling being comparable to that of painting a wall. While the cost to paint a door might be surprising, doors are tougher to paint than most people think. 

Interior Painting Cost Breakdown

Beyond square footage and room type, several factors influence the overall cost of painting your home interiors.

Materials

Paint supplies can range from $3-200. While many painting companies bring their own materials, if you prefer to purchase them yourself, it’s worth asking. 

Paint Type

The cost of a gallon of paint varies widely, spanning $20-100, depending on the brand, quality, and gloss level. Typically, one gallon covers 350 square feet, and an average home requires approximately six gallons per coat. Keep in mind costs related to priming as well. 

Surface Repairs

Prior to a paint job it’s recommended to repair any dents, scratches, or other wall blemishes, followed by sanding. Many painters include this in their services. 

Wallpaper Removal

If wallpaper removal is necessary before painting, consider it part of the overall scope of work, with an expected cost of $3 per square foot. For a 12’x12’ room, this totals $535.

Furniture Moving

Included in a painter’s labor costs is the work involved in moving furniture to the center of the room. Doing this yourself is a great way to save money. 

Additional Costs

Several other features will also affect the overall cost of your home improvement paint job. 

• Textured walls: While textured walls are a beautiful feature, be prepared to pay up to 50% more, as they often require double the paint compared to smooth walls.
• High ceilings: Walls higher than the average nine-foot ceiling will cost more to paint. 
• Accent walls: Expect an accent wall to increase total cost of the room by 20-30% due to the cost of additional paint and materials. 

Tips to Save Money for Interior Painting

If you’re concerned about how much to paint a house interior the good news is, homeowners can cut costs. Consider the following ideas: 

• Fix any drywall blemishes or complete any wall patching before the painters arrive. 
• Save on costs doing the prep work. This includes moving and protecting your furniture by covering it with drop cloths and handling tasks like taping baseboards and outlets prior to the crew’s arrival.
• Hire professional painters during their slow season, typically from November to February. This is a great way to cut costs as paint crews are likely only working on interior projects, and not exterior paint jobs as well. 

Interior Painting DIY vs Hiring Help

Tackling this painting project yourself may seem like a great idea until reality sets in. Inexperienced painters can take twice as long as experienced painters to paint the interior of a house, turning the task into a substantial time commitment. Additionally, hiring a professional tends to result in a more polished finish compared to a DIY approach. With your paint colors chosen – and to maximize the wow-factor of your fresh paint job – call in the help of a Tasker today. Taskers will manage the entire painting process for you, providing convenience and expertise for a job well done. So sit back, relax, and reap the benefits of a more vibrant and colorful home. 

How Much to Paint a Home Interior FAQs

What type of paint do I need to buy? 

Opt for a latex indoor paint, either enamel or acrylic, as it dries faster than oil-based paint and is easy to clean. For cabinets, trim, or doors it’s recommended to use oil-based paint. 

How long does it take to paint a house? 

A professional can paint a room in two to four hours, whereas someone inexperienced can spend anywhere from six to 10 hours on the same task. 

What’s the best time to paint a house interior? 

The best time to paint the inside of your house is in the winter as there is less humidity, making the paint dry faster. Plus painting your house is the perfect indoor activity. Painting your house in the summer is feasible too; just ensure proper ventilation, such as running the air conditioner, to reduce humidity in your home.