Interior Painting Cost (2026): What Professionals Charge
Interior painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot of floor area for walls, or $300 to $1,200 per room depending on size and prep work needed. A full 2,000 sq ft home repaint typically runs $3,500–$9,500. Labor makes up 70–85% of the cost; paint is only 10–20%.
What Does Interior Painting Cost?
Fresh paint is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost home improvements you can make. A well-done paint job can completely transform a space—and professional results last 5–10 years.
Pricing varies based on room size, ceiling height, surface condition, and paint quality. The biggest variable is labor: a room with extensive prep work (filling holes, sanding, priming) costs significantly more than a straightforward repaint.
Interior Painting Cost by Room
| Room | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom (standard) | $350–$850 | 12x12 average; walls only |
| Primary bedroom | $650–$1,400 | Larger size; often includes closets |
| Bathroom | $150–$400 | Small but requires cut-in around fixtures |
| Kitchen (walls only) | $150–$350 | Cabinets/backsplash reduce wall area |
| Living room | $600–$2,000 | Size varies widely; vaulted ceilings add cost |
| Hallway | $300–$600 | Long narrow spaces require precision |
| Accent wall | $80–$200 | Single wall; color change |
| Surface | Cost per sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walls only | $1–$3/sq ft | Most common; floor area basis |
| Walls + ceilings | $2.75–$4.70/sq ft | Adds 20–30% to walls-only price |
| Walls + ceilings + trim | $4–$6.75/sq ft | Complete room repaint |
| Trim/baseboards | $1–$4/linear ft | Often priced separately |
| Ceiling only | $1–$2.50/sq ft | Overhead work adds complexity |
| Textured walls | +$1–$2/sq ft | Orange peel, knockdown require more paint |
What Affects Interior Painting Prices?
Prep work ($0.50–$0.75/sq ft): Patching holes, sanding, priming. Dark-to-light color changes need tinted primer and extra coats (+15–25%). High ceilings add ladder time and safety equipment. Paint quality matters: builder-grade paint is cheap but fades fast; premium brands like Benjamin Moore Aura ($85–$95/gallon) last longer.
Boulder homeowners: See our interior painting services →
FAQ
How much does it cost to paint a room?
Painting a room costs $300 to $1,200 depending on size, with a national average around $600 per room.
How much does it cost to paint an interior house?
A full interior repaint costs $3,500 to $9,500 for a 2,000 sq ft home, or $2–$6 per square foot.
How much do painters charge per square foot?
Interior painters charge $2 to $6 per square foot of floor area for walls, or $1.50–$5.50 per square foot of wall surface.
What percentage of painting cost is labor?
Labor is 70–85% of interior painting costs. Paint and materials are only 10–20%.
How long does professional interior paint last?
Quality interior paint lasts 5–10 years in normal conditions. High-traffic areas may need touch-ups or repainting sooner.
