Interior Painting Cost per Room in 2026
Updated 2026-10-14. All figures were checked on that date.
Short answer: pros charge about $2–$6 per square foot of floor area, so a 10×12 bedroom runs about $240–$720 (Angi, as of 2026-10-14). Labor is 70–90% of the bill, which is why DIY saves so much.
Pro cost calculator
Uses Angi's $2–$6/sq ft of floor area. Doing it yourself? Use the paint calculator to work out gallons.
By room type
| Room | Angi range | PaintPricing (walls+ceiling+trim) |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | $300–$750 | $650–$950 (10×12) |
| Living room | $900–$2,000 | $940–$1,700 (16×20) |
| Kitchen | $570–$1,210 | $850–$1,350 (no cabinets) |
| Bathroom | $200–$500 | $380–$670 (full bath) |
| Stairway / hallway | $400–$600 | $780–$1,540 |
Sources: Angi; PaintPricing, as of 2026-10-14. The ranges differ because scope differs. Always ask whether ceilings and trim are included.
Walls only vs whole room
Fixr puts walls only at $1.50–$3.50/sq ft and walls + ceiling + trim at $3–$4/sq ft. Painters typically bill $25–$100/hour (Fixr, as of 2026-10-14). A separate ceiling adds about $1–$6/sq ft (Angi).
The DIY cost
Retail interior paint is about $20–$110/gal depending on grade (UseCalcPro, as of 2026-10-14). A typical bedroom takes about 2 gallons for two coats (see the paint calculator). Add rollers, brushes, tape and patching compound.
What drives the quote up
- Ceilings over 9 ft, stairwells, and two-story foyers that need scaffolding
- Patching, and dark-to-light color changes that need primer plus a third coat
- Lots of trim, doors, or built-ins. Cut-in time, not wall area, dominates small rooms.
- Moving furniture. Clearing the room yourself is the easiest saving.