How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Hallway?

Painting a hallway is one of the easiest ways to give your home a quick makeover, but surprisingly many of us put it off. High traffic areas like the hallway take a real beating - scuffs and marks pop up left and right, and it shows.

But slapping on a fresh coat of paint can make an immediate impact, lifting a whole room.

Whether your hallway is a compact entrance hall or an entire staircase & landing , painting costs can vary wildly depending on how big it is, its condition, the kind of paint you choose and whether you bring in the pros.

In this guide, we'll dig into how much it costs to paint a hallway, what actually affects the price and what you can expect to pay to get a really top-notch finish.

How Much is Painting a Hallway?

Hallway painting costs depend on a number of factors, including the height of the ceiling, the number of doors, the size of the hallway and whether the balustrade and skirting boards are to be included.

Stairwells require added labour and access equipment, which also adds to the overall cost. Usually, if a person is having their hallway painted, they will also include the stairway and often, the landing.

The average price of painting a hallway, together with the stairs and landing, is between £875 and £1,330. Decorators charge for their services based on the scope and complexity of the decorating project, so more intricate or larger jobs will typically cost more.

Putting fresh paint on top of old paint sometimes costs you more because you may need to apply more coats of paint to get a good finish. Newly plastered surfaces tend to need less paint.

But then you have the extra costs for removing old paint and skim plastering the wall. Prices to remove paint or wallpaper are usually based on the painter’s day rate. Outside London, this is between £150 and £200.

Hourly rates can also apply, and these vary depending on the painter's experience and location.

The size and type of house, such as whether it is a 3-bedroom or 4-bedroom house, can also influence the overall cost to paint a hallway.

Painting a Hallway Prices

Here are some examples of the cost of painting a hallway:

Regional Differences in Hallway Painting Costs

When it comes to painting your hallway, one thing to bear in mind is that costs can vary widely depending on where you live in the UK. In bigger cities and urban areas, getting a professional to do the job is probably going to cost you more.

Prices tend to be higher because there's such high demand for painting services, and it costs more to live in the city. You'll probably also find that things like paint and decorating supplies are pricey.

In a rural area, things are different. Not only is the cost of hiring someone to paint your hallway lower, but the cost of materials can be lower too, making the whole project much more affordable.

You also have to consider the regional climate when budgeting for your painting job. Places with high humidity or a lot of damp can be a nightmare to work with.

If you live in a spot like that, your painter may recommend using special paints or protective materials to prevent water damage from reaching your walls. That's all well and good, but these extra bits and bobs can add to the overall bill.

Just always keep these regional factors in mind when working out how much your hallway painting project will cost you. And don't be afraid to get a few different quotes from local painters to get a better idea of what you can expect to pay in your area.

Access and Obstacles When Painting a Hallway

The layout & accessibility of your hallway - that's important when it comes to the cost & time frame of your painting project. Narrow staircases, tight corners & restricted access points all require painters to get a little creative or bust out the fancy equipment, which just adds more expense.

Then there are the obstacles - big furniture pieces, built-in fixtures, or ornate architectural details that you just can't get around - all of these things can slow things way down as the painters spend extra time navigating around them to get a smooth finish.

To keep costs down & keep the project on schedule, it really pays to give your hallway a serious decluttering before the painters get there. Clear out as much furniture & junk as you can - the less they have to work around, the faster they'll get the job done.

Don't forget the drop cloths to protect your floors & any furniture you can't move - it's a simple thing, but it really helps prevent accidents & damage while they're working.

By making your hallway as easy to get around as possible, you're not only saving yourself some headaches - you're also helping the painters finish faster & potentially saving a few bucks on labour costs.

Painting a Hallway Supply Costs

It’s not only paint you need if you’re planning to do the job yourself as a DIY project.

These are some of the supplies you’ll need and the average price you can expect to pay:

• Emulsion: Depending on whether you choose silk or matt, £5.50 - £40 per litre
• Primer: £14 to £26 per litre or Undercoat at
• Brushes and Rollers: £4 to £30
• Tape: £1.50 to £12 per roll
• Paint Trays: £5 to £10
• Paint tray Liners: £2.50 to £4.00 (usually sold in packs of 2 or more)
• Protective Cloth to lay over furniture and carpeting: £13 to £32 (depending on size)
• Extension Poles: £10 to £30

Proper prep work is essential before painting your hallway. This includes surface cleaning, minor repairs, and sanding to ensure a smooth, professional finish. Taking the time for thorough prep work can impact both the final result and the overall cost of your project.

After painting, a complete clean-up is also important, covering the disposal of debris, tools, and any mess, so your home is ready to enjoy immediately after the job is done.

Additional Costs

In the process of having your hallway painted, you might be faced with additional costs which you’ll need to add to your budget.

These are typically:

• Ceiling painting: Depending on the size of the ceiling, you should expect to pay around £15 to £20 per square meter. If you have a small hallway with a 3m² ceiling, then the cost will be between £45 and £60. A medium hallway with an area of 6m² will cost between £90 and £120, and a large hallway with an area of 8m² will cost between £120 and £160.
• Stairwell access: Ladders or platforms might be needed to access a stairwell for painting, and this could add an additional £40 to £60 for scaffold or ladder hire.
• Surface repairs: Cracks, stains, and damp can usually be repaired by removing the existing paint or wallpaper and skimming or re-plastering the walls. A professional plasterer is likely to charge between £70 and £130 for a patch repair or between £150 and £200 for a plaster skim.
• Woodwork Painting: Painting balustrades, skirting boards and door frames can add a day’s work or more to your painting costs. The average price for a hallway would be between £150 and £300.

Labour Costs and Timescales: How Much Decorators Charge for Painting a Hallway

Most painters will charge according to the time they estimate it will take them to do the job. For example, a small hallway without any problems can take just a day to complete.

A large hallway, on the other hand, including ceiling and trim, could be a 2-day job. If a staircase or a multi-floor access is included, then the painter might be working for 3 days. If there is extensive preparation or a wall needs to be skimmed, then another day might be needed.

In London, the average day rate for a painter and decorator is between £250 and £350 a day. Outside the capital, rates are between £150 and £200.

That means for a small job that takes a day, you’ll pay between £150 and £350 depending on where you live. A 3-day job might cost between £450 and £1,050.

Cost Factors for Painting a Hallway

Hallway painting prices are influenced by several cost factors, such as:

• Ceiling or stairwell height – may need ladders or scaffolding
• Number of doors and woodwork areas - Painting an internal door costs between £60 and £120.
• Wall condition and preparation time – If the walls are in good condition and the paint doesn’t need stripping, it won’t cost as much because it will take less time and fewer materials
• Number of coats - The number of coats needed will determine the amount of paint you need to buy. For example, the average hallway will need two coats of emulsion. But, if you are changing from a dark colour to a light colour, you will need to apply primer and then several coats of the new paint. A small hallway might only need around 2.5 litres of paint. If you choose a medium-quality satin or silk finish at £25 a litre, the paint will cost £62.50. But if you need to use more pain, you could end up paying double that amount.
• Location – If you live in London or the South East of England, then you will pay more for a painter and decorator. A typical day rate for a London professional is between £250 and £350. In other parts of the UK, labour prices are lower, and you’ll typically get a day rate of between £150 and £200.

Building Regulations Related to Painting a Hallway

You don’t need building regulation permission, as there are no building regulations for painting a hallway.

However, if you decide to make any structural changes to the hall, building regulations may apply. Visit your local council offices for advice before you start any building work.

Tenants may require permission from their landlords in case they have rules about paint colours or finishes. Or if your hallway is part of a multi-occupancy home or HMO, then you might have to use Fire-resistant or class 0/1 paint.

Hallway painting is one of several decorating jobs homeowners may undertake, and the costs and considerations discussed here are often similar across different decorating jobs.

Types of Hallway Painting Finishes

Let's take a look at the different types of paint you can use for your hallway.

Satin/Silk

Easy to clean, but any wall damage will show up; it’s also not a cheap option - Costs £20 to £40 per litre.

Pros

• ✔ It's easy to clean, which is a must-have for high-traffic areas
• ✔ The finish is silky smooth
• ✔ it's durable

Cons

• ✖ If your walls haven't been prepped properly, the finish can look a bit patchy
• ✖ It can be more expensive than other paint.

Matt

Covers scuffs and marks well, but isn’t washable - Cost £5.50 to £10 per litre.

Pros

• ✔ It hides scuffs, marks, and uneven surfaces
• ✔ It has a modern, non-reflective look
• ✔ It won't break the bank

Cons

• ✖ It's not "washable" - scuffs and marks can be a pain to remove
• ✖ It will need a touch-up every now and then

Eggshell

Used on woodwork and doors. It is easy to wipe clean and durable - Costs £10 to £40 per litre.

Pros

• ✔ It's tough and easy to wipe clean
• ✔ It's perfect for woodwork, doors, and trim
• ✔ It's got a subtle sheen

Cons

• ✖ It's not usually the best choice for larger areas
• ✖ It's a bit pricier than matt paint

Gloss

Very durable and often used on handrails and bannisters - Costs £20 to £40 per litre.

Pros

• ✔ Extremely durable and long-lasting
• ✔ Easy to clean and resistant to scuffs
• ✔ Ideal for radiators, bannisters, and handrails

Cons

• ✖ High-shine finish highlights imperfections
• ✖ Longer drying time
• ✖ Higher cost than standard paints

Hallway Painting Designs and Colours

Finding the right design and colour scheme for your hallway is a must - it can completely transform the space and set the tone for the rest of your home.

The latest trends give you loads of options to play with; think going big with a bold, statement colour on one wall, or adding some serious visual interest with patterns or textured finishes.

But if you're after a super calm, welcoming vibe, a neutral palette might be the way to go. The amount of natural light in your hallway and the way it's laid out should be your guide when making your choices, so if it's nice and bright in there, go for some bolder colours, but if it's a bit dark or narrow, light shades can really help to open it up.

You don't have to go it alone either - working with a pro painter or decorator can be a total lifesaver. Not only will they help you achieve a look that's both stylish and practical, but they'll also make sure the paint finish ties in with the rest of your home's design.

And if you do hit any issues while searching for ideas or trying to book a decorator online, you might see a little thing called a Cloudflare Ray ID at the bottom of the page.

That's just a unique identifier that can help the site owner or support team sort out any access problems, which means you won't get stuck and can keep on planning your project. Whether you're after something classic or super on-trend, the right design and colour choices can turn your hallway into the standout feature in your home.

Alternative Types of Hallway Finishing

Wallpaper

Wallpaper to replace paint brings personality, warmth and depth to a hallway. Patterns can be used to make the space seem smaller or larger, and they are especially useful for highlighting specific areas. The cost of wallpaper varies considerably, and there is a huge choice of quality and style. On average, prices range from £1.50 to £120 per square metre.

Wall Panelling

An alternative to paint is to fit wall panelling for your hallway. It is visually appealing and great for hiding imperfections as well as providing warmth. There are plenty of materials and styles to choose from.

MDF panels are some of the most affordable and range from £14 to around £50 per panel. Wooden panels cost on average between £30 and £70 per panel.

Vinyl Wall Decals

These are stick-on designs made from vinyl that you can apply to any smooth surface. In the hall, you could create a focal point on a wall or door. To apply, you simply peel off the backing paper and stick the transfer to the surface.

You can peel them off again, and it doesn’t damage the paint below, which makes them ideal if you don’t want to make permanent changes. They are often sold in packs, and prices range from £10 to £30.

Cladding

Laminate or PVC cladding is easy to install and ideal for a household that needs a durable option. You can choose a wood or marble-effect for the hallway. The cladding is sold in panels, and you can expect to pay between £20 and £80 per panel, depending on the material and design you choose.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Painting a Hallway

Before you hire a painter, have a look at our checklist. The list will help you to choose a reliable professional with the appropriate qualifications and experience:

• The painters have the necessary experience painting home interiors
• Only accept written quotations. Email is fine, but never accept a quotation over the phone.
• The quote is fully itemised and includes any preparation and finishing.
• They confirm whether they supply the pain, or it is up to you to buy what you need.
• They have all the necessary insurance cover for working in your home, including public liability insurance.
• They confirm how they will deal with any waste disposal
• The work has a warranty.
• The quote includes the date the work will start and an estimate of how long it should take to complete.

The easiest way to find a reliable painter is to use MyJobQuote. Tell us what you need, and we’ll find trusted painters in your area so you can compare quotes and find the professional that best suits your needs.

Removing Existing Paint or Wallpaper in a Hallway

If the paint or wallpaper in your hallway is too damaged or old to paint or wallpaper over, it may need to be removed. Taking the old, damaged wallpaper off the wall will also give you the chance to make good any uneven surfaces underneath. This will give your décor a much cleaner and newer look.

Removing old paint or wallpaper will add to the cost of labour because it will add more time to the job. The amount of time removal takes will depend on the size of the hallway and how easy it is to access the walls.

The most common methods of removing paint and wallpaper are:

• Sanding – Sanding and scraping are often used to remove flaky paint
• Chemical Strippers – If the wallpaper is particularly stubborn to remove, you may need to use a chemical stripper. Apply in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and leave it to soak into the wallpaper for around 20 minutes. You should then be able to scrape the wallpaper away from the wall.
• Steam – Applying steam over the wallpaper will loosen the paper, and then you can scrape it off the wall.
• Heat Gun – A heat gun uses hot air, which, when applied to the wall, makes the paint or wallpaper soften. It will then be removed with a scraper.

Once flaky paint has been removed by sanding, filler can be applied to make the wall smooth, and it is then ready for a new coat of paint or for wallpaper to be applied. The cost of removing flaky paint depends on the damage, but is, on average, between £40 and £120.

Removing wallpaper again depends on the size of the wall. The cost to remove wallpaper, plaster to repair any damage and apply primer to make sure the new paint adheres well will be between £80 and £250.

Damp or stained walls should be repaired before being repainted and treated with the appropriate amount of stain-blocking primer to ensure the new paint or wallpaper looks perfect. Costs are between £60 to £80.

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