How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Living Room?

Painting a living room is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to freshen up your home, whether you tackle it yourself or bring in a professional for a flawless finish.

You'll pay around £475 on average for a professional painter to paint a living room, though the final price depends on the room size, the condition of the walls, and how much of the ceiling and woodwork is included.

How Much Does Painting a Living Room Cost?

The average cost of painting a living room in the UK is £475, though the price varies with the size of the room and how much work is involved.

What best describes your living room painting job?

Walls only

0 votes - 0%0% of votes

Walls and ceiling

0 votes - 0%0% of votes

Full room including trims and woodwork

0 votes - 0%0% of votes

Feature wall or accent colour

1 votes - 100%100% of votes

1 votes See results Hide results

A small living room with just the walls painted typically costs around £150 to £300, while a large, open-plan space that includes the ceiling, doors and skirting boards can reach £500 to £800 or more.

The main things that affect the price are the room size, the ceiling height, the number of doors and windows, the condition of the walls, and whether you add a feature wall or extra colours. Where you live also plays a part, with London and the South East typically charging 10 to 20% more than other parts of the UK.

Painting a Living Room Prices

Labour Costs and Timescales for Painting a Living Room

Painters and decorators charge in different ways. Some quote a day rate of around £180 to £400, others charge £30 to £50 per hour, and many price per room, per square metre, or per project. Most include standard preparation and materials in their quote, so it's worth confirming what's covered before you hire.

How much you pay for labour comes down mostly to the size of the room and how much of it is being painted:

• Small room (walls only) – around 1 day, roughly £150 to £250 in labour.
• Medium room (walls and ceiling) – 1 to 2 days, roughly £250 to £400 in labour.
• Large or open-plan room (full job with woodwork) – 2 to 4 days, roughly £450 to £650 in labour.

Drying times between coats usually take around 2 to 4 hours, depending on how well-ventilated the room is, and extra coats or a more complex finish will add to the overall time.

Find Tradespeople, compare up to 3 quotes!

It's FREE and there are no obligations

Get started

Painting a Living Room Supply Costs

If you're painting a living room yourself, the paint is usually the biggest supply cost, and how much you need depends on the room size and the number of coats. Most jobs need two coats for an even finish.

On top of the paint, set aside around £10 to £30 for a basic set of brushes, rollers, trays and painter's tape, £5 to £15 for dust sheets and filler, and £10 to £20 for primer or undercoat if the walls need it.

Additional Costs

When budgeting for painting your living room, there are some additional costs that you may need to keep in mind.

Below is a list of the additional costs that may come up with this type of work:

• Feature walls or multiple colours – This could add around £50 to £100+ onto the cost of the job, depending on the size of the space and the complexity of the work that is needed.
• Repainting woodwork and trims – This will usually add around £50 to £100 onto the cost of the job, including doors, frames and painting skirting boards.
• Prepping damaged or uneven walls – Filling cracks, removing old or flaking paint or stripping wallpaper can add around £50 to £300+ onto the cost, depending on the condition of the walls.
• Ceiling painting (especially high ceilings) – This can increase the cost by around £80 to £200. High or textured ceilings will usually cost more.
• Furniture removal or room preparation – Depending on the scope, this could cost around £50 to £150 extra.
• Waste disposal or clean-up charges – Depending on how much work is needed on this, it could cost around £50 to £100 extra.

Cost Factors for Painting a Living Room

There are certain factors that can affect the overall cost of painting a living room.

Take a look at the list below for some of the cost factors that you may need to consider when budgeting for this type of work:

• Room size and ceiling height – Bigger rooms and higher ceilings take more time and materials, so they cost more.
• The amount of woodwork – Rooms with lots of doors, frames and skirting boards take longer to cut in, which adds to the labour.
• The condition of the walls – Cracks, damp patches or uneven plaster mean more prep work before painting can begin.
• The number of colours and finishes – Several colours or a feature wall add cutting-in time and more drying between coats.
• Type of paint – Premium brands and washable or specialist paints cost more than standard emulsion.
• Access and clearance – A cluttered room or awkward access, such as tight stairwells, slows the work down.
• DIY versus hiring a professional – Doing it yourself saves on labour but takes time and skill to get a lasting finish.

Ask a Trade

Got a question that only a tradesperson can answer? We have thousands of trades ready to answer any question you may have.

Ask your question

Alternative Types of Living Room Finishing

If you decide that paint isn't the right choice for you and your living room, then you may want to consider some alternative options for decorating the space.

Below is a list of alternative finishes for a living room that you may want to consider:

• Wallpaper – Traditional or peel-and-stick options cost around £10 to £30 per square metre plus labour.
• Wall panelling – MDF or pre-painted options will cost around £40 to £70 per square metre installed.
• Decorative plaster finishes – Decorative plaster or textured finishes could cost around £50 to £100+ per square metre.
• Murals or wall decals – Prices vary widely depending on the complexity of the design.
• Textured or sponge-painted effects – This can add on additional labour and material costs. You can usually expect to pay around 20 to 40% extra for this type of work.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Painting a Living Room

When hiring a painter and decorator to paint your living room, here are some things to check before you go ahead:

• Are they a member of a recognised trade body? The British Decorators Association is the leading trade body for painters and decorators in the UK, and membership shows they work to professional standards.
• Do they have insurance? Public liability insurance protects you if something goes wrong during the work, so always ask to see proof before they start.
• Will they provide an itemised quote? Ask for a full breakdown of prep, materials, and labour so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
• Have they accounted for the prep work? Filling cracks, sanding, and priming all add time, so check this is included rather than added on later.
• Have they agreed the colours and finish in advance? Confirm the exact colours, sheen, and number of coats before work starts to avoid any mix-ups.
• Do they have positive reviews? Check the feedback they have received from other homeowners on their MyJobQuote profile before you hire.

FAQs